Day Cross River Stood Still for Buhari
As early as 7.30am on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, thousands of Cross Riverians and other Nigerians had thronged the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who was visiting the state to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the 260 kilometers six lane superhighway initiated by Governor Ben Ayade.
Groups of women and youths adorned in different colours of uniforms danced and sang in praise of the president and their amiable governor.
Some waved banners that bore different inscriptions such as “Ben Ayade welcome Mr. President to the groundbreaking ceremony of the super-high-way and the deep seaport”, and “NDDC Youths Volunteers welcome Mr. President to the groundbreaking ceremony”, and “May your visit bring more development to the Niger Delta.
There were also other banners that read: “Youth Movement welcomes President Muhammadu Buhari”, “Time for change, we are in total support of your government and policy of change”, “Democracy Support Groups, Cross River State happily welcome Mr. President.“
Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, his Imo State counterpart, Mr. Rochas Okorochas, former governors Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke, Senators and members of House of Representatives from the state, prominent political and academic figures, business magnets and foreign investors were at the airport to receive the number one citizen of Nigeria.
Contestants for the 2015 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), frontline girls from Carnival Calabar bands, youths and women political groups from across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, dance groups from all over the state and ordinary Cross Riverians on the streets were also on hand to welcome Mr. President.
At exactly 10.07 am the Nigerian Air Force Military Jet with Registration number, 5N-FGT (001) touched down at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport tarmac.
Few minutes later, the President Buhari emerges from the aircraft to a rousing welcome led by Governor Ayade, his deputy, top government officials, politicians and thousands of Cross Riverians who turned out to receive him.
After performing a brief ceremony of inspecting a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, and exchanging pleasantries with other important guests, the President boarded the Nigerian Air Force Chopper with registration number NAF-280 at exactly 10.26 am for the venue of the groundbreaking ceremony in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
However, due to the inclement weather, the chopper which carried the president could not land at the venue of the ceremony and had to fly back to Calabar before proceeding to the venue by road.
The President arrived the venue to a carnival-like atmosphere, with everyone present giddy with excitement.
Women groups clad in uniforms sang and danced. Determined not to be outdone by the women, some Carnival Calabar frontline girls strut their stuff with so much vigour while traditional dance groups, including Ekpe Masquerade also danced to their own rhythm.
The Obong of Calabar and members of the Cross River Traditional Rulers Council were among thousands of people who defied the downpour to receive the president.
Clad in white Agbada, the President acknowledged the cheers with his raised fist.
So electric was the atmosphere that one casual observer remarked that the event could be mistaken for a campaign for Mr President’s re-election.
After performing the groundbreaking, the weather became clement and the president took off for Calabar at 1.29pm, received salute from guard of honour mounted by members of the Armed Forces and bid the people of Cross River farewell as the Nigerian Air Force Jet, 5N-FGT was air borne at exactly 1.55pm.