The agricultural and industrialisation policy of the Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade has resonated in far away Bauchi State, with the visit of governor Bala Mohammed to copy his counterpart’s template.
Addressing members of the state executive council as well as Speaker and members of the Cross River House of Assembly, at the state executive council chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, Bala said his visit was prompted by Governor Ayade’s programmes on agriculture.
“Your programme on agriculture, which is the main stay of Bauchi State, has given us cause to come here, because we are so interested in the concept and framework which is hinged on value addition, creating some value chain around some crops and then at the end of the day giving improvement within the value chain, in manufacturing and in agriculture,” he said.
Disclosing that Bauchi State was not ashamed to copy from Ayade’s aggressive industrialisation policy, Bala said “the industries you have established have put Cross River on the map. We have also come to copy what you have been able to achieve in the area of massive industrialization, even with nothing when compared to your peers, in terms of federal allocation. And in case you don’t know, we are putting you on notice that the nation is watching you.”
Describing Ayade as his senior colleague, the Bauchi State governor said neither skyscrapers nor flyover can impact on the lives of the ordinary citizens like agro-industrialization, which is the focus of the Ayade-led administration.
Bala told his opposite number that “you are bringing a revolution into governance, it is not just about building roads and bridges, but bringing initiatives that will have direct impact on the common man.”
The Bauchi State Governor, who later went round some of the industries in Calabar told Ayade that “the industries you have established have put Cross River on the map.
“We have built our own factories and we have found it compatible with what you are doing, and I believe it is not a shame for us to say we are here to borrow your concept. We are here to copy good initiative. We don’t have to reinvent the way, you have done it and you’re a good example for the rest of us to follow as governors.
“I want to say that by the time I get back, what I’m getting from here in terms of value cannot be quantify in naira and kobo.”
Governor Ayade, in response, thanked his Bauchi State counterpart for his visit and his large heartedness in acknowledging what others in his position would find rather difficult to appreciate.
He said it could only take a governor like Bala to demonstrate the humility to want to learn from Cross River State, noting that ” With your humility coming to learn agriculture, I have no option also than to come and learn the solid mineral road map from you.”
