The Speaker of the Assembly Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem (3rd from left) with the new Chairman and members of the State Sports Commission.
By Itam Offor
The Cross River State House of Assembly has given the Governor Bassey Otu’s nominees for the positions of chairman and members of the State Sports Commission the green light to function.
The confirmation, aimed at strengthening sports development in the State, followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution on the Screening of Nominees for Confirmation of Appointment as Chairman and Members of the State Sports Commission by it’s Chairman, Rt Hon Davies Etta (Abi State Constituency).
According to Etta, who serves as the Deputy Leader of the Assembly, the Governor’s nominations were in full compliance with section 2(1) of the Cross River State Sports Commission Law of 2000 and also in tandem with section 14(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered) which dwells on geographical spread.
The Committee Chairman informed that, his Committee found the Nominees to be “fit and proper persons” and having met the constitutional requirements, they were recommended for appointment as Chairman and Members of the CRS Sports Commission be confirmed by the House.
In their separate contributions, the Lawmakers unanimously supported the confirmation of the Nominees describing them as “square pegs in square holes”. They applauded the State Governor for his choice of appointees.
The Speaker of the Assembly Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem congratulated the nominees and charged them to work hard to justify their appointments.
Those confirmed are, Etta Lawrence Itanya who is to serve as Chairman, while Queen Gladys Festus, Hon Njarani Gabriel Ushie, Sunny Ndep Ebam and Ekpenyong Effiom Okon are to serve as Members of the Commission.
In an interview with Journalists, the newly confirmed Chairman of the Sports Commission, Mr Etta Lawrence Itanya, promised that the Commission will not disappoint the Governor and Cross Riverians in the discharge of their duty.
He said, “we are going to change the narrative of the Sports Commission. By the grace of God, we are not going to disappoint the Governor, we won’t disappoint the 10th Assembly and the entire State”.
