By Adebisi Adeyemi Lagos
A former Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas, retired Brig.-Gen. Anthony Ukpo, former military governor of RiverS State, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi are among dignitaries expected to grace a civic reception in honour of Governor Ben Ayade in Ogoja on Feb. 24.
Mr Peter Ojie, Chairman of the publicity committee for the reception, said in a press conference on Monday in Calabar that the reception was organised to honour Ayade as a son from northern Cross River.
Ojie, who is the Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Ayade, said the reception is in appreciation of the governor, being the first son from the northern of the state to be governor since the creation of the state in 1976.
“The governorship of the state is something that the people of the northern senatorial district had yearned for. This is the first time the district would be producing a governor since the state was created.
“It is a great recognition, responsibility and opportunity to serve the state. It is based on this that we want to receive our son and honour him.
“There would be traditional rulers, prominent sons and daughters of the northern district to receive him.
“This is an indication that the people of the North have accepted their son who has done well and will continue to work for the benefit of the state’’, he said.
Ayade is from Obudu, one of the five local government areas that make up the northern senatorial district of the state.
