Political appointees absent at Interdenominational Service to mark C’River 50th anniversary

Large number of political appointees in Cross River state were conspicuously absent at the first activity to mark the state’s 50th anniversary on Wednesday. The activity, which was an interdenominational service, was held at the cultural centre in Calabar, the state capital. Governor Ben Ayade was also not in attendance.

The state had the highest number of special advisers and special assistants as well as chairmen of boards and directors. Disappointingly, some school pupils and students drafted from their schools to the occasion were not entertained as they left in annoyance and openly criticizing the government for ignoring them.

The poor turn-up may not be unconnected with lack of petrol as all the filling stations in Calabar remained closed by the order of National Union of Petroleum, Engineering and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The group complained of arbitrary levy imposition on them by the state government. Government had asked tanker drivers to pay N12, 800 each as road maintenance levy.

The chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the anniversary had briefed newsmen that the celebration will featured several activities, including the interdenominational service, interaction session with traditional leaders, football match, cocktail party, city walk, cleanup exercise, planting of 50th anniversary trees, display of cultural play, signing of bills, command performance, and a live radio and television broadcast by Governor Ayade.