Niger Delta
Don’t Owe Salaries, Pensions, Ayade Cautions As He Swears-In Council Chairmen With N11.38b Take Off Fund
The Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has sworn-in the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government
councils of the state.
Our correspondent report that the event took place at the State Executive Chamber of the Governor’s office, Calabar.
The new chairmen and their vice emerged victorious in last Saturday’s council polls as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP cleared the entire 18 councils areas and also produced all the councilors.
Speaking after swearing them in, Ayade urged the council Chairmen to avoid unnecessary trips outside their councils, harping on the need
for them to stay back home and work for their people.
The Governor disclosed that he was leaving behind for the newly elected chairmen, N11.386 billion as take off fund, adding that they had no reason not to perform.
“Remember I am giving you councils that do not owe salaries, not owing pension. So I don’t want to hear tomorrow that you are owing.
“We are happy to announce to you that you are coming into office while
the governor leaves behind N11.386 billion in your coffers.
“Today marks a great opportunity for the people at the grassroots who have never had direct access to government, to feel the impact of
government,” the governor told the new chairmen.
He further implored them not to engage in grandiose projects but concentrate on simple projects that directly impact on the lives of
the people.
His words, “you are serving the grassroots, I do not want you therefore, to embark on big projects. I need you to deal with those
projects that directly impact on the lives of the people. I need you to deal with boreholes; I need you to deal with culverts, minor bridges that link communities.”
The Governor advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their councilors so as to effectively serve the people.
“I urge you to work in harmony with your councilors. There must not be a divided house. Therefore, work harmoniously with the councilors so that together you will serve the people effectively”, the Governor
said.
He also urged them to reside in their respective local government areas so as to be abreast of the needs of their people.
From FRIDAY NWAGBARA, Calabar
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The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.
Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.
Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.
He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.
Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.
In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.
Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.
“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.
Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.
“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.
Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.
Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.
He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.
“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.
The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.
Leader of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Ajero Prosper Okeoghene, has been impeached over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The impeachment of the ousted leader was signed by 12 out of the 18 councillors that attended the plenary at the legislative chamber of Ughelli North on Wednesday.
The Councillors alleged that the former House leader breached the constitutional requirement to lead the 8th Assembly.
According to the statement, “We the undersigned Councillors of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House of the 8th Assembly have watched with keen interest the activities of the present Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper, and having thoroughly gone through it, we decided to as a matter of urgency, resolved to impeach him in line with the relevant Delta Local Government Law 2013, as Amended, and other Legislative practices/convention.
“Furthermore, to the above therefore, we are constrained to state unequivocally that Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper lacks the ability to move this Eighth (8th) Assembly to the next level and as such should step outside for another to reinvigorate this present Assembly.
“Having satisfied the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority, motion for his impeachment and removal as leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved.
“His impeachment was as a result of Misappropriation of funds, inability to pilot the affairs of the house, high-handedness, gross misconduct and refusal to call plenary as at when due and his excessive drunkenness.
“The motion for his impeachment was moved by Hon. Onome Isherhe, Councillor representing Ughelli Ward 12, and seconded by Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, representing Orogun Ward 3, respectively.
“The motion for a new Leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved by Hon. Collins Oghenebrorhie Arhiakpore, the Councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2 and seconded by Hon Felicia Diedjomaho, the Councillor representing Agbarho Ward 1″, it stated.
Amongst the Councillors that signed the impeachment are Hon. Orido December, Hon. Victor, Hon. Igogono Goddey, and Hon. Felicia Diedjomaho.
Others are Hon. Inana Oke Festus, Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, Hon. Joseph Friday Obara, Hon. Onome Isherhe, and Hon. Palmer Israel.
The new Leader of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm is Rt. Hon. Solomon Oghenero Agbini, the Councillor representing Ogor Ward 1.
All efforts to contact the impeached leader, Okeoghene, were not successful as calls to his line were not answered or returned as of the time of this report.
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