How Ayade is Creating Wealth Through Green Carnival

By Chidi Onyemaizu

Wealth creation is no rocket science. Anyone in doubt can reference Professor Ben Ayade.

His latest wealth creation blitz is through the just concluded annual Green Carnival, an event dedicated to boosting afforestation through tree planting.

The maiden edition of the carnival held on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. It  was a massive success.

Not only did Cross Riverians turn out in their thousands to participate by planting trees across the state, many also made money from the exercise through sale of tree seedlings.

In all, one million trees were planted across the state. The one million seedlings deployed for the exercise were supplied mostly by Cross Riverians and paid for by the Ayade administration.

This obviously was in keeping  with the governor's new mantra of hands on the plough, which in turn is translating to food on the table for teeming families in the state.

The beautifully designed floats, carnival regalias, and costumes among others adorned by the participants, including Professor Ayade, his Abia state counterpart, Dr.Okezie Ikpeazu, Cross River state Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, Speaker, Jones Eteng Williams etc, were produced by young entrepreneurs of Cross River who were empowered by the state government.

The state Garment Factory that has over 3000 employees, produced some of the t-shirts and uniforms worn on the occasion.

Even before he joined the political fray, bearing other people's burden and putting smiles on weary faces had been ingrained in Governor Ayade's character trait.

For example, as a Senator, he had a food bank where the downtrodden in his senatorial district drew meals from.

And as governor, he has a template for wealth creation through government-assisted citizens' participation in agriculture. This he christens "hands on the plough, food on the table".

His latest offering of wealth creation through Green Carnival will no doubt birth a new class of wealthy Cross Riverians.