Mr. Benedict Ayade was born on 2nd March 1969 in Cross River State. He studied at the University of Ibadan, Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma and Delta State University, Abraka, becoming a Lecturer. He proceeded to pursue a career in environmental consulting. He was appointed Chairman of the Ecological fund, Chairman of the International Institute of Environmental Research, and a member of SPAC. He also worked on Groundwater Remediation in Nigeria and invented a sewage treatment plant based on solar energy. An addition to his laurels as an environmental consultant was an award from the government of Japan for outstanding research into Global warming in Africa. He became a member of the Nigeria Association of Petroleum Engineers and the Cross-River State Poverty Alleviation Board.

Mr. Benedict Ayade during his political career held many positions including PDP chieftain in Cross River State, member of the Strategy Committee in the government of Senator Liyel Imoke, whose election as governor was nullified in 2008.

In the January 2011 PDP primary elections, Ayade contested for the Cross-River North but was later restrained from presenting himself as a candidate by a court injunction on the grounds of violating the electoral Act due to a N20 million donation to the Liyel Imoke Campaign petition. Eventually, the allegation was found to be untrue and the case was thrown out in court. He has ever since held positions in the Senate including Vice-Chairman of the Senate committee on Environment and Ecology and member of the Senate Committees on Education, Marine Transport, Petroleum Downstream, and Drugs/Narcotics/Crime.

In 2015, he contested in the gubernatorial election in the State under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and emerged winner, hence, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State

Cross river state Government house.

Cross River State Government house is located at Murtala Mohammed Highway, Cross river.

This is the permanent administrative office of the Cross-River State Government. Here, all state agencies and parastatals are quartered. As such, this is one of the most important places in the state. This is a very safe location unnecessary wandering is highly frowned at in and around this place. However, visitors must be absolutely sure of where they are going to avoid the prospect of loitering.

The cross-river State government house serves as the Official home to the state governor or chief state executive of the state and their families. It is the official venue for events such as the state's executive council meetings, government conferences, swearing in of cabinet members and of course the Governor's official business. It can also be used as receptions and functions hosted by individuals; some arms of the state government also have offices at the state government house.

 ECONOMY 

Business and Economy of Cross River.

The Cross-River State economy is predominantly agricultural and is sub-divided into two sectors - the public and the private sectors. The private sector is dominated by local subsistence farmers while the public sector is run by the Government and features large plantations and demonstration farms. The main crops are cassava, yams, rice, plantain, banana, cocoyam, maize, cocoa, rubber, groundnut, and palm produce.

The State government places emphasis on fish farming as a measure to diversify its economy. To this end, it took measures to boost fish production in areas including fish farming, processing, storage, marketing, in-shore fishing, and monitoring of fish resources.

Major livestock in the State are cattle, goats, and sheep. Rearing activities are mainly undertaken by local farmers and nomadic Fulanis, except in Obanliku at the Obudu Cattle Ranch where organised cattle ranching takes place. The raising of poultry, pigs, rabbits, and turkeys is carried out on a commercial scale in some parts of the State but mainly in Calabar Municipality.

Cross River State consists of eighteen (18) Local Government Areas.

• Abi
• Akamkpa
• Akpabuyo
• Bekwarra
• Bakassi
• Biase
• Boki
• Calabar Municipal
• Calabar South
• Etung
• Ikom
• Obanliku
• Obubra
• Obudu
• Odukpani
• Ogoja
• Yakuur
• Yala

• barite ore
• manganese ore
• felspar
• quartz
• amenthyst
• lead ore
• pyrite
• rock salt
• talc
• coal 

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

CEMENT MANUFACTURING

The Mfamosing Limestone formation, with 98% Calcium Carbonate, has one of the best qualities of limestone formation in the world. Cement manufacturing is a golden investment in this area.

CATTLE RANCHING AT THE OBUDU CATTLE RANCH

The Obudu Cattle Ranch is located atop the Obudu Cattle Ranch Plateau at an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level. The altitude gives the ranch a unique temperate climate and vegetation with temperature ranging between 7° C - 15° C all year round. The height ensures that the ranch is free from tse-tse fly and mosquitoes.

The Ranch is a perfectly grazing site, suitable for cattle rearing and animal husbandry generally. The Ranch has 18,000 hectares of prime grazing land available for cattle ranching. Presently, the Cross-River State Government intends to let out this grazing land for the establishment of cattle ranches.

BOTTLING SPRING WATER

The Obudu Cattle Ranch constitutes a sophisticated drainage system with springs having source from the rocky depths of the ranch plateau. The Ranch springs are pure and free from pollutants. Several feasibility reports have been carried out which show that bottling spring water on the Ranch is a good investment. In 1996 a French company had completed arrangement to commence the project but was compelled to pull out due to the political crises then in the country. The State is disposed to facilitating investment in this area.

OBUDU CATTLE RANCH HOTEL

The Obudu Cattle Ranch Hotel has just been renovated and a number of chalets increased to 57 from 33. The entire facilities have been given a face-lift and the electricity and water supply restored. Existing games facilities at the Ranch presently include lawn tennis, table tennis, squash and mimi-golf. The Ranch environment is additionally conducive for jogging and high-altitude training generally. Horses are currently being retrained so that horse riding can be re-introduced. Presently, plans are being concluded to do a 9-hole golf course on the Ranch to be linked to international tournaments.

The Ranch is also a rich nature reserve with a bird and nature watch located within the Beehive Nature Reserve. The Gorilla Camp is located about 4 hours walking distance from the Ranch Hotel. The Ranch is rich in exotic butterflies, birds, monkeys and other animals already extinct in most parts of the world.

Recently a 1.5 kilometre airstrip was completed at Bebie in Obanliku Local Government Area which can take light planes. This facility makes it possible for visitors to the Ranch to reduce travelling time to less than two hours from any point from within the country.

The Ranch Hotel is available to interested investors willing to enter into joint venture with the State for the management of this outfit.

MEAT PROCESSING FACTORY

A Meat Processing Factory has been built at the Ranch to process and package meat for sale. This factory is available for acquisition by investors. The State intends to divest her equity shareholding here to the private sector.

DURAFOAM FACTORY, IKOM

Durafoam Industries Limited is a State government company with a foam manufacturing factory in Ikom. The factory machinery is still in a good state for production of foam mattresses and allied products. The State is willing to divest her equity shareholding in the company to private investors. This outfit certainly presents you a good opportunity for investment.

CASSAVA PROCESSING

Cross River State is the highest cassava producing state in the country with an annual output of 3 million tons. Because of low utilization, only half of this crop is harvested or utilized. We do know however that cassava is a rich animal feed and in high demand in Europe. Palletized cassava for export is a good investment option in Cross River especially with abundant raw material and a seaport.

PALM OIL MILLING

Cross River State is at the forefront in palm oil fruit production in the country due to the several plantations that abound. The milling of these fruits is however crude resulting in very low palm oil extraction rates. The erection of a modern facility, an integrated palm processing mill would ensure high extraction rate. Such an investment should include a palm kernel oil processing mill, which would crush palm kernel and extract the oil for processing to edible oil. The resultant palm kernel cake is an export product being an animal feed.

SOLID MINERAL

Cross River State is rich in its solid minerals, which are presently largely unexploited. Of note are limestone, barytes, salt, clay, etc. Exploration of these minerals is a worthwhile investment. The salt deposits of Yala LGA are of a high quality and exist in commercial quantities capable of sustaining a salt processing factory. Considering that the country depends on imported salt for her needs, investment in the processing of these deposits would be a profitable venture.

WOOD PROCESSING

The State harbours the last fringes of the natural forest in the country. Presently we have a policy of sustainable exploitation of forest resources especially wood in manner that would retain the ecological balance.

Wood processing for export or for production of furniture is an investment that should be exploited.

RUBBER PROCESSING

The State is a high producer of rubber. Presently there is no rubber processing factory within the State. Investment in such a factory would open a frontier of opportunities.

PAPER AND NEWSPRINT MANUFACTURING

Cross River State has over 12,000 hectares of Gmelina plantation. This softwood is a major raw material for the production of paper and newsprint material. Presently the country depends largely on import for her paper and newsprint needs. Thus, investment in a paper and newsprint manufacturing venture in the State is a very profitable venture, as there is in existence an abundance of both raw material and market for the products.

COCOA PROCESSING

Cross River State is the second largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria, producing 20% of the country's annual output. The absence of a cocoa processing factory in the State has made export of the raw beans’ imperative. A cocoa processing plant in the State would add substantial value and is a viable and highly profitable investment option in the State. The presence of a seaport, an international airport and the Export Processing Zone makes the processing of cocoa for export a good business option.

PETROLEUM RFINERY

Cross River State is located in the crude oil rich Niger Delta area of southern Nigeria. Oil drilling is carried out in the southern tip of the State and within Nigeria's territorial waters bounding Cross River State. This facility serves the states in the easter and north eastern parts of Nigeria.

The location of an export refinery within the State, especially in the Calabar area would prove to be a good business option for any investor. The high domestic demand for petroleum products of such a refinery considering that none of the refineries in the country today is operating up to half of the installed capacity due to poor management.

MARINE FISHING

Cross River State with many rivers and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean has great potential for marine fishing. The Bakassi peninsula offers a variety of fishes, shrimps, crayfish, oysters, etc., which can be harvested, processed and exported.

EDUCATION

• University of Calabar
• Cross River State University of Technology
• Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture
• Cross River State College of Education
• College of Health Technology,
• Federal College of Education
• Technical College Ugep
• Arthur Jarvis University
• Diamond Polytechnic

PROJECT

CONSTRUCTION OF TRAILER PARK AWI-AKAMKPA L.G.A

CONSTRUCTION OF TEN APARTMENT OFFICE BLOCK, COUNCIL SECRETARIAT, CALABAR SOUTH (COMPLETED) (OUTSIDE VIEW)

INSPECTION OF CLEARING WORK AT IKOM

The Monorail that links TINAPA and CICC (Completed)

 

 

 

 

The Cross-River State Garment Factory (Completed)

CONSTRUCTION OF 3 CLASSROOM BLOCKS-OKPODON, YALA L.G.A.

EXTENSION OF 33KV LINE WITH 3NO 300KVA TRANSFORMERS FROM OWUTU TO OGBU IN AFIKPO SOUTH LGA, CROSS RIVER

ELECTRIFICATION OF UYANGA-UWEET IN CROSS RIVER STATE

DEVELOPMENT OF AJASSOR 251.6KW SMALL HYDRO POWER PROJECT IN CROSS RIVER STATE

RURAL ELECTRICATION PROJECT IN OGOJA/YALA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, CROSS
RIVER STATE

Agbokim waterfall

Agbokim Waterfalls is located at Close to Ikom, on the Nigeria-Cameroon border, Cross River State., Cross river. Agbokim waterfall is a seven faced wonder consisting of seven streams cascading over steep cliffs, with its lush vegetation and picturesque scenery, it is ideal for picnics, bird watching and meditation.

Obudu Mountain Resort (Obudu Cattle Ranch)

Obudu Mountain Resort is located at in Calabar, Cross river.It matters little if you're a local or international tourist: Obudu Mountain Resort will welcome you with open arms. Come for the horse riding, the bird watching the sporting facilities, the natural swimming pool. Stay for the delightful accommodation and hotels.

Slave History Museum

Slave History Museum is located at Marina Resort, Moore Road, Calabar, Cross river.This was established in 2011. It is notable as one of the major tributes to the tragic history of the transatlantic slave trade

A visit through here is a walk down history to the slave trade era witnessed by the people of Calabar and its environs.

Marina Resort

Marina Resort is located at Central Bank in Calabar, off the city’s Eleven Eleven roundabout, Cross river. This was built in May 26, 2007to promote tourism in Calabar. It is notable as a recreational and learning destination. Marina Resort is the fresh breath of air needed to relax from stress, with its wide range of facilities ranging from the slave museum to restaurants to lounges, you are assured of a fun filled educative experience.

 

Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary

Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Boje Boke, Cross river, Cross river.The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary takes protecting endangered wildlife very importantly. It is home to a host of primates which include wonderful species of gorilla and chimpanzee populations. One of the most endangered species in the world Gorilla gorilla dienli is very prominent here as well as the drill monkey. Made available is the Afi Mountain Ranch for guests who will be visiting for more than a day. the accommodation is provided in the form of a cabin.

The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary was legally created by the government of Cross river state in May 2000 (~100 sq km) from the northwest portion of the Afi river forest reserve. Today, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary stands as one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Nigeria and the best protected area for drills in the world.