Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State weekend gave a stern warning to the 28 commissioners in his cabinet to denounce their involvements in secret cult activities or get booted out.
Ayade gave the order constituting his cabinet with the swearing in of the commissioners into the state executive council.
Performing the swearing in ceremony at the state executive council chambers of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Ayade ordered the commissioners after taking the oath of office and allegiance to also take oath of denunciation of secret cult and other illegal organisations.
A civil servant in the state who craved anonymity said the governor gave the warning given the preponderance of cult activities in the state and the patronage to which such secret organisations enjoy from politicians.
According to him; “For the governor to have come out with such a warning, he must have noticed the level of cultism in the state and the extent of the elite’s involvement. One thing is to give an order; it is a different ball game to follow through.”
Prior to their inauguration, Governor Ayade assigned portfolios to 28 commissioners, he, however, assigned to himself the Ministry of Culture & Tourism. The commissioners and their ministries are as follows: Joe Abang (Justice);
Offu Ebiregor Ayia (ICT); Dan Osim-Asu(Works); Gabe Odu Orji (Water Resources); George O’ben-Etchi (Solid Minerals) and Francis Etta (Int’l Donor Corporation). Others are Oliver Orok (Sustainable Development); Onoh Ulafor (Local Govt Affairs);
Rosemary Archibong (Information & Orientation); Mike Eraye (Environment); Victor Adugba Agwu (Special Projects & Special Duties)
and Anthony Eneji (Agriculture).
and Anthony Eneji (Agriculture).
Others on the list are Sunday Achunekang (Rural Transformation, Establishment & Training); Saviour Nyong (Transport); Alice Alok Ekwu (Climate Change); Edem Effiom (Social Housing); Godwin Ettah (Education); Chris Nja(Gas Resources); Asuquo Ekpenyong (Finance);
Asu Okang (Youths & Sports Development); George Ekpungu (New City Development); John Inyang (Lands Development) and Peter Akan Egba (Commerce & Industries)
Others are Thomas Udam (Power); Stella Ereme Odey (Women Affairs); Inyang Asibong (Health);
Itaya Nyong (Petroleum Resources) and Edim Inok Edim (Infrastructure).
Others are Thomas Udam (Power); Stella Ereme Odey (Women Affairs); Inyang Asibong (Health);
Itaya Nyong (Petroleum Resources) and Edim Inok Edim (Infrastructure).
MIKE ABANG
