C/River House Okays Sports Commission Chairman, Members

By Musa Kutama, Calabar

The Cross River State House of Assembly has confirmed the chairmanship and members of the State Sports Commission.

The confirmation followed the presentation of report of the Cross River State Assembly 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 its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta Abi constituency.

According to Hon. Etta, 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 amended), which dwells on geographical spread.

The committee chairman however, 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 Cross River State Sports Commission.

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 Commission, Mr. Etta Lawrence Itanya, promised that the Commission will not disappoint the Governor and Cross Riverians in the discharge of their duty.

“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,” he said.