Cross River State Government Ministry of Sports and Cinematography

01/10/2022

02/03/2022

HAPPY 54TH BIRTHDAY TO A LEADER OF INESTIMABLE VALUE

Our invaluable Governor, who is typified by excellence and proficiency in every sector of the economy, we say a resounding happy birthday.

Even at 54, your vigour, resourcefulness and intellectual prowess is inconceivable. You are indeed a torch bearer to the youths of Cross River State who you have so much endeared to yourself.

Sports and Cinematography in the State has received new dimensions of creativity, advancement and superbness by your leadership.

We are indeed grateful to GOD for the gift of an insightful leader in your person and we wish you the very best as you become a year wiser.

Happy birthday our digital, supersonic and indefatigable Governor.

Chief Offu Aya
Commissioner,
Ministry of Sports and Cinematography

16/09/2021

The ministry is doing well

15/09/2021

PROJECT STARDOM CAN CREATE JOB, CURB YOUTH RESTIVENESS AND SOCIAL VICES – SPORTS COMMISSIONER

By Esther Okoi – MOI Officer, Ministry of Sports and Cinemtography

As activities build up for the commencement of the Project Stardom Camp 2021, the Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya has reiterated that the Project is a viable platform for job creation, curbing youth restiveness and other social vices, as well as turn Cross River Statej into a sports hub to the world.

Chief Offu Aya who stated this during a meeting with management team of Heirs Life Assurance Limited at the conference room of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), informed that relevant Ministries and Agencies are represented in the organizing committee for efficiency of the project, adding that the responsibility of the State Government is to provide an enabling environment through adequate provision of medical services, security and the location for the purposes of ownership and sustainability.

Also speaking, the Director General, I-CAN International Football Academy (ICANISA), Mr. John Paul Bobkay, said Project Stardom Camp is the first Sports Reality TV show of its kind in Africa and a collaborative effort of the Federal and State Governments with numerous private partners and sponsors geared towards providing a platform for young men between the ages of 16 to 21 years who are talented in Football but do not have the opportunity to showcase and develop their skills. He added that the platform will provide professional training in furtherance of their football careers and education.

On his part, the Managing Director of Seasons Group and Partner of Project Stardom Camp, Mr. Emmanuel Bassey, averred that Project Stardom is a generational idea with the State and Federal Governments’ support, adding that it is a core project that will be admired by Nigerians. He noted that it is an opportunity to add value and remodel the society while building and reorientating the youths.

Responding, the representative of Heirs Life Assurance Limited, Mr. Osibodu Gbenga, appreciated the efforts made so far in making Project hhhc 2021 a reality, affirming that it is a fantastic idea which if well managed will go places and curb idleness among the youths, while improving their football and educational careers.

10/09/2021

SPORTS COMMISSIONER AFFIRMS PROJECT STARDOM CAMP AS CAPABLE OF BOOSTING TOURISM DRIVE IN THE STATE

By Esther Okoi, MOI Officer, Ministry of Sports and Cinematography

The State Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya has avowed that the Project Stardom Camp is a novel idea that will increase traffic to the State and boost tourism drive while at the same time, helping youths to stay focused and abhor social vices.

Speaking while inaugurating the Organising Committee of Project Stardom Camp, Chief Offu Aya inferred that the project has the capacity to promote grassroot sports development, noting that ICANISA, the organisers of the project in partnership with the Cross River State Government, Heirs Life Assurance Ltd, Season Group and a host of other private partners and sponsors, is on the right part to fulfilling the charge by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to States to encourage the private sector in the management of Sports across the country as business, for efficiency.

Speaking during his presentation, the Director General of I-CAN International Soccer Academy (ICANISA), Mr. Johnpaul Bobkay, said one of the objectives of Project Stardom Camp is to “engage Nigerian Youths in Sports positively and offer an opportunity to enable them excel in football career professionally and making Destination Cross River, a hub for grassroot football and sports development in Nigeria and Africa at large. ” He added that the project will put all tourist areas in the State on the global map while serving as a source of revenue for the State.

Mr. Bobkay intimated that 5 players will be selected from each State and the FCT by the ICANISA Team to form a team of 185 talents who will camp in Calabar for 30 days out of which 42 finalists will emerge and taken to camp at the Obudu Cattle Ranch for 60 days of live TV reality football and academic interactions. He noted that activities in the camp will include among others; training, matches, camp analysis, technical analysis, kitchen affairs, and visits of legends.

According to him, apart from the coaches, Nigerians will watch the progress of the players while in camp and will decide through a voting process, the players they consider the best, adding that after the camp, the best eleven (11) players will be sent to the InternationaI Union of Youth (MSM)) Football Academy, Prague, Czech Republic, while another 5 players will be sent to TFA Dubai to begin academic and football careers on scholarship. The Director General informed that those who choose to combine their football career with skills acquisition will also be accommodated.

The organizing committee as inaugurated by Commissioner Aya to pilot the maiden edition of the Project Stardom Camp has Rev. Egba Ayo as Chairman and Mr. Eugene Bassey as Secretary. The members of the committee include: Barr. (Mrs.) Etek Alobi, Mr. Atu Abang, Mr. Patrick Odu, Mr. Joseph Obi, Mr. Johnpaul Bobkay, Ettah James, Paul Edum, Edna Ogar, Daniel Akpeke, and Samuel Asuquo.

Responding, the Chairman of the committee, Rev. Ayo Egba on behalf of his members, accepted the call to serve and pledged to work together as a team to deliver on their mandate which among others is to liaise with relevant stakeholders to enrich the project with mind blowing contents to keep Nigerians glued to their TV screens.

21/08/2021

OFFU AYA EXTOLLS GOV AYADE'S INGENUITY, DESCRIBES CINEMATOGRAPHY AS LUCRATIVE FOR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

By Esther Okoi, MOI Officer, Ministry of Sports and Cinematography

The Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya has extolled the ingenuity of His Excellency, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade in giving his best for professionals in the field of photography and Cinematography and standing tall as the only State in the country with a Ministry of Cinematography, identified as a lucrative sector with the tendency to employ tons of youths.

Commissioner Aya who made the assertion at the inception of the road walk to mark the 2021 World Photography Day with the theme "Sustaining the Earth Treasure Through our Lens" organized by Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter in collaboration with Canon, informed that the WPD is a special day to celebrate how photography came to be all over the world and a strong reminder of the necessity for people to do something positive to be remembered for.

Chief Aya charged photographers in the State to perform their jobs with utmost professionalism as public image makers and those who preserve societal values in pictures for posterity, adding that the State has lots of scenery and natural resources that can give manifold contents which when publicized can cause an influx of tourists into the State. He also mentioned that Government can only preserve her activities through photography, hence the need to develop it to maturity.

He disclosed that the State Government through the Ministry of Sports and Cinematography has engaged about eighty (80) youths in different aspect of Cinematography training and that more of these youths will be trained once the Cinematography training space at the Construction and Fabrication Academy of West Africa is completely equipped. He also charged photographers to remember the ideals of the fathers of photography, work together as a team to achieve greater feats.

Speaking also, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Eric Anderson lauded the Cross River State chapter of Media Practitioners for their consistency in celebrating the World Photography Day, adding that they are making the State proud not only in numbers but also with professionals who can be engaged to effectivly deliver on a job without external support. He encouraged the photographers to take advantage of the good scenery of Calabar, which he described as a form of tourism with the likelihood of selling the State for tourists to contemplate visiting.

Mr. Anderson inferred that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will partner with Sports and Cinematography and other Ministry to showcase the beauty of Cross River State, noting that his Ministry is one of the few Ministries that can easily partner every other Ministry in the State as there is tourism and an element of culture in everything. Thus, he extended the hand of partnership to the Media Practitioners Association and urged them to be professional in what they are happy doing and make a sincere living from it.

The World Photography Day which started with a training on Photography at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, will culminate into a Dinner and award night to celebrate exceptionality and creativity in photography. Also present at the road walk was the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Entertainment, Mr. Effiom Troumbone.

18/08/2021

SPORTS COMMISSIONER DESCRIBES CRS AS A GLOBAL TOURIST STATE WITH RICH NATURAL RESOURCES

By Esther Okoi, MOI Officer, Ministry of Sports and Cinematography

The Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya has reiterated that Cross River State is a globally recognized tourist State that is richly blessed with rich forest reserve and natural resources.

Stating this during a visit by a Canon team from Lagos in preparation for the 2021 World Photography Day held every August 19, every year, Chief Aya inferred that all the contents they need can be created given the scenic atmosphere of the State.

Lauding His Excellency, the proactive Governor of the State, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade, in the creation of a Ministry of Cinematography, the Commissioner maintained that Cinematography in the State is a fresh and untapped area capable of engaging young people and catapulting them to the global sphere in the entertainment industry.

He opined that the training on photography is a laudable one that would help to engage the youths, empower them and ultimately help reduce social vices and foster national unity.

Speaking earlier, the head of the Cannon team, Mr. John Obembe explained that the world photography day celebrated every August 19, is a day set aside to appreciate creativity as it concerns photography, it's history, current trends and future opportunities for photography.

He stated that the training billed for August 18 and 19, 2021 at the Transcript Hotel, Calabar, is to build capacities geared towards youth empowerment and training on the use of Cannon devices with due certification, adding that subsequently, the participants will be enrolled into the Cannon Academy to be trained on Film making, content creation, as well as fashion and Estate photography.
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16/08/2021

CRSG PARTNERS I-CAN INTERNATION TO RAISE WORLD CLASS FOOTBALLERS

By Esther Okoi, MOI Officer, Ministry of
Sports and Cinematography
As part of her resolve to showcase Cross River State to the world and make her a sought for in every sector of the economy, the State Government through the Ministry of Sports and Cinematography, has concluded modalities to partner I-CAN International project aimed at raising world class footballers, that will someday excellently play for the national teams with victories earned for the Nation.

Speaking during a meeting held with representatives of I-CAN and team members of HEIRS insurance, the Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya informed that the ideal of the project is to create a platform for youths to express and showcase their talents in football without reservations, thereby making them relevant both nationally and internationally, adding that it is a worthy programme that will be sustained and produce players of international repute.

According to Chief Offu Aya, the project will commence with the registration and screening of 185 young persons between the ages of 16 – 21 years, picked across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, thereafter, 37 finalists will be camped and trained in Obudu Cattle Ranch for 60 days and the best 11 will be selected through voting by Nigerians.

Chief Offu Aya revealed that I-CAN international will partner with private investors and DSTV to broadcast the programme on their Supersport Channels, noting that at the end of the camp, the top 11 will be sent to Czech Republic and other football academy across the world including Dubai. The Commissioner was optimistic that in the years to come, after successive seasons of the project, the entire Nigeria national teams may be only candidates from the I-CAN project.

Speaking earlier, the Director, I-CAN project, Mr. John Paul Bob-Care intimated that the project is a national programme where not less than 5 young players will be picked from each State of the Federation and will be camped in Obudu Cattle Ranch after the screening, adding that Nigerians will have the honour of choosing the best players through voting, as the entire camp will be aired on Supersport for them to watch and determine who is the best to be voted for.

He averred that the preferred 11 players will be taken to MSM International Football Club, Europe for two years, where the players can even learn other skills as well as pursue a degree if they so desire, adding that the platform is to reposition the energy of the youths and create football internationals for the future.

Also speaking, the team lead, HEIRS Insurance, a subsidiary of UBA, Mr. James Ballantyne inferred that HEIRS Insurance will be the official insurers of I-CAN project that will insure the participants in the eventuality of any health injury, fracture or death, stating that the project academy is in phases and HEIRS insurance will be with them in all of these stages since it is a continuous and viable project that can boost the economy of Cross River State and bring her to limelight.

17/07/2021

OFFU AYA DESCRIBES YOUTHS AS THE CORE OF GOVERNMENT

By Esther Okoi
MOI Officer, Ministry of Sports and Cinematography
The Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya has described youths as the powerhouse of every nation and the core of every Government, an understanding of which has made His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade unrelenting about youth development and youth inclusiveness in governance.

Speaking during a youth flagship programme of the Christ Universal Youth Fellowship of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, saying 'NO' to all form of social vices and 'YES' to love and peace, Chief Offu Aya lauded the youth wing of the church for standing up to raise a campaign against r**e, cultism, kidnap and other social vices, adding that to thinker on the ills of the society and propose solutions through actions is a true reflection of patriotism that is worthy of commendations.

While charging them to continue preaching peace and love which he described as the basis of brotherhood and of all good things, Chief Aya pledged the readiness of the Ministry to work harmoniously with them and every other interested youth bodies to ensure that these social vices are eradicated for the State to retain her peacefulness with which it is known for. He added that the information billboard at Atu by Goldie roundabout will help sensitize everyone that passing by to avoid these social vices.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Hon. Signor Omang Idiege, represented by the Director Administration of the Ministry, Chief (Barr.) Egbala Edom stated that the ideals of the programme is for societal development as the youths have identified societal ills and making efforts towards it's eradication. He commended the Brotherhood youths for the lofty idea and charged them to spread the 'NO' against every form of social vices across every nook and cranny of the State preaching peace and love as well as spreading the word of God which is the foundation of every good works.

Earlier, the Cross River State Commissioner for Girls Guide, Princess Rachel Ekanem inferred that one of the cardinals of the Girls' Guide is positive character molding and that is what the Christ Universal Youth Fellowship of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is advocating for, noting that they are asking for modesty and morality from the youths and all members of the society.

On his part, the President of the Christ Universal Youth Fellowship, Christ Ambassador, Ifiok Abasi Udoh relayed that the fellowship is worried at the growing decadence and social ills in the society and are arising to say 'NO' to hate, r**e, cultism, abortion, drug abuse and other social ills while saying'YES' to Love, peace, self development excellence and the word of God, adding that where the word of God dwells, peace and tolerance thrive while eliminating every evil intention.

Christ Ambassador Udoh appreciated the Government of Governor Ben Ayade for its various efforts towards smashing violence and crime in the State and forestalling peace and tranquility adding that no well meaning Government supports negativity and violence adding that the billboard erected and unveiled by the Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography at Atu by Goldie roundabout will serve as a reminder to passers by on a daily basis to abhor these social vices.

18/06/2021

SPORTS COMMISSIONER ADMONISHES CIVIL SERVANTS ON DILIGENCE, ACCOUNTABILITY

By Esther Okoi

The Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya has admonished Civil Servants in the State to be diligent, dutiful, accountable in their offices, maintain moderate lifestyles and perform their services to the public with dignity.

Speaking during a get together held by the Ministry to celebrate the retirement of Mr. Atu Tawo Abang, a Director of Planning Research and Statistics (PRS) in the Ministry, Commissioner Aya congratulated the celebrant for serving the State meritoriously for Thirty-five years and charged others still in service to be mindful of the life they lead, as people are taking note and the image would remain in the minds of others long after they may have retired. He described Mr. Abang as a cooperative, reliable and a dependable staff with wealth of experience, who has in numerous times provided directions for the Ministry without difficulties.

Also speaking, the Chairman Sports Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Elom averred that the current uneasiness of the times and the obvious economic realities do not allow for people to gather for celebrations, stating that the unique personality of Mr. Abang is the reason people have taken out time to celebrate him, defying all odds. Describing the retiree as man of excellent character and encouraging active Civil Servants to be involved in other ventures that they can fall back to after retirement, Mr. Elom informed that it is usually joyful to retire vibrant, thereby still being able to give back to the society in other sectors of the society.

With different staff of the Ministry pouring encomiums on the retiree, describing him as a man of good disposition, a jolly good fellow, kind hearted, wise and humble fellow, among other qualities, the Director of Administration, Rev. Ayo Egba concluded by asserting that Mr. Abang is a dependenable staff who is sociable, hardworking, intelligent and vast in his field as well as one who is always willing to carry everyone along without discrimination.

In his response, the retiree, Mr. Tawo Abang expressed his gratitude to the Cross River State Government for the opportunity to serve as well as the management and staff of the Ministry of Sports and Cinematography for celebrating him. Recounting his journey in the Civil Service, he encouraged those still in the service to have good interpersonal relationships with their colleagues abs to be conscientious about their jobs and not run after money, noting that at the end they will be glad they did. He pledged his willingness to offer his services to the State and the Ministry at any time he is needed.

Also present to wish the retired Director PRS farewell were: Commissioners from the State Sports Commission; Director of Sports in the Ministry, Mr. Etim CocoBassey; among others.