Ayade appoints first non-indigene Muslim as Cross River commissioner

Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, has sworn in Adamu Uba Musa as a commissioner in the state.

Musa, appointed as the commissioner for inter-governmental affairs, will be the first non-indigene and Muslim to be given such a position in the state.

Speaking at the swearing in ceremony on Tuesday at the government house in Calabar, Ayade said the commissioners were appointed based on their integrity and competence.

The governor said the commissioners should “finish strong” and make Cross River proud.

“Your coming on board is not by accident,” Ayade said.

“You have been carefully selected based on your integrity and competence to bring your wealth of experiences to bear on our administration.

“I, therefore, charge you to work assiduously to ensure that we finish strong as an administration. Your jobs are all cut out for you, I expect that you make our dear state proud.”

The governor said Eric Anderson, who was commissioner of culture and tourism development, will now head the information and orientation ministry.

Also, Oliver Orok, who was commissioner for sustainable development, will not now take charge of the agriculture and natural resources ministry.

Here are the new commissioners and their portfolios;

• Arikpo Pius Edet, science and technology
• Ekwele Agube, sustainable development
• Sunday Williams Awara, social housing
• Hippolytus Lukputa, water resources
• Patrick Ebam, special Duties
• Okama Inyang, Infrastructure
• Janet Eyo Nsing, climate change
• Goddy Eta, finance
• Ntufam Ekpenyong Effiom Iso, culture and tourism
• Gertrude Njar, women affairs
• Adamu Uba Musa, inter-governmental affairs
• Wogor Umari, homeland security