Ayade's rebranding of state logo
Governor Ayade's re branding of state logo is good thinking
Fifty years is quite a journey in the life of a man, nation or state. Sometimes it can be a momentous one. Other times it could be vapid, uneventful and inconsequential.
For 50 years, Cross River has existed as a sub-state of the Nigerian nation. Created on May 27, 1967 as then South Eastern State by the General Yakubu Gowon administration, Cross River, as it later became following a name change, has gone through both purple and sticky patches.
In the course of those 50 years, instructively, the state has no doubt, wrenched several giants strides, just as it has been greeted by some pitfalls in its wake.
As a state, it has witnessed several firsts. Even though not created as a state then, Calabar, which later became the capital of South Eastern States and thereafter Cross River State, was the first seat of power for the Southern Protectorate during the colonial rule.
Among other firsts are the first cable car in Nigeria, the first monorail in sub-Sahara Africa, the first longest canopy walkway in Nigeria, the first female football league.
However, over the course of the 50 years' odyssey as a state, Cross River has experienced some low as well as ugly moments. The most indelible scar of the state's ugly past is the non-negotiated ceding of a part of its territory to a foreign country as well as the fiendish allocation of its 76 oil wells ton a sister state.
Many states would have buckled under in the face of this national prejudice and conspiracy. But with determination, the state has continued to hold aloft its pride- the diehard spirit.
In its never-say-die spirit, it reinvented itself and successfully riveted national to the state as one with the best destination for tourism, resort and relaxation.
It is against this narrative that the need to re brand the state to sustain its numerous uno position has become imperative and urgent.
An identity that will speak to us as a people with an infectious entrepreneurial spirit. So the governor's thinking to re brand the state is aimed at communicating a new direction, convey a new attitude, new thinking, focus and direction.
A people with a burst of energy,
The state has accomplished half a century of a journey as a people, with half in moving forward. Where are we headed? How do we want to be seen or perceived, moving forward? What agenda do we want to set going forward?
These and more are the answers the governor, Senator Ben shade seeks to provide as we celebrate 50 years milestone as a state, as well as what next for us 50 years hence.
In conveying the new thinking through re branding of the logo and not flag as many have erroneously claimed, Governor Ayade is recreating a new philosophy, a new orientation, an attitude that comes with entrepreneurial gusto and zest, a people with energy, strength, confidence, optimism, positivity, love, vitality and prosperity.
With 18 stars representing 18 council areas of the state interspersed on a canvass of red, encircling a bull, the new identity attempts to define the state as an energizing people with emotion and motivation for action.
The colour red depicts warmth and positivist associated with our physical needs and our will to survive. Red radiates a strong and powerful masculine energy. As a state that has pioneered so many firsts, the red color expresses pioneer spirit and leadership qualities, and promotes ambition and determination. What more, red has variously been celebrated by lovers annually on February 14th as typifying love.
So the choice of red by Governor Ayade can best be described as creatively and imaginatively apt and impeccable.
Fifty years is quite a journey in the life of a man, nation or state. Sometimes it can be a momentous one. Other times it could be vapid, uneventful and inconsequential.
For 50 years, Cross River has existed as a sub-state of the Nigerian nation. Created on May 27, 1967 as then South Eastern State by the General Yakubu Gowon administration, Cross River, as it later became following a name change, has gone through both purple and sticky patches.
In the course of those 50 years, instructively, the state has no doubt, wrenched several giants strides, just as it has been greeted by some pitfalls in its wake.
As a state, it has witnessed several firsts. Even though not created as a state then, Calabar, which later became the capital of South Eastern States and thereafter Cross River State, was the first seat of power for the Southern Protectorate during the colonial rule.
Among other firsts are the first cable car in Nigeria, the first monorail in sub-Sahara Africa, the first longest canopy walkway in Nigeria, the first female football league.
However, over the course of the 50 years' odyssey as a state, Cross River has experienced some low as well as ugly moments. The most indelible scar of the state's ugly past is the non-negotiated ceding of a part of its territory to a foreign country as well as the fiendish allocation of its 76 oil wells ton a sister state.
Many states would have buckled under in the face of this national prejudice and conspiracy. But with determination, the state has continued to hold aloft its pride- the diehard spirit.
In its never-say-die spirit, it reinvented itself and successfully riveted national to the state as one with the best destination for tourism, resort and relaxation.
It is against this narrative that the need to re brand the state to sustain its numerous uno position has become imperative and urgent.
An identity that will speak to us as a people with an infectious entrepreneurial spirit. So the governor's thinking to re brand the state is aimed at communicating a new direction, convey a new attitude, new thinking, focus and direction.
A people with a burst of energy,
The state has accomplished half a century of a journey as a people, with half in moving forward. Where are we headed? How do we want to be seen or perceived, moving forward? What agenda do we want to set going forward?
These and more are the answers the governor, Senator Ben shade seeks to provide as we celebrate 50 years milestone as a state, as well as what next for us 50 years hence.
In conveying the new thinking through re branding of the logo and not flag as many have erroneously claimed, Governor Ayade is recreating a new philosophy, a new orientation, an attitude that comes with entrepreneurial gusto and zest, a people with energy, strength, confidence, optimism, positivity, love, vitality and prosperity.
With 18 stars representing 18 council areas of the state interspersed on a canvass of red, encircling a bull, the new identity attempts to define the state as an energizing people with emotion and motivation for action.
The colour red depicts warmth and positivist associated with our physical needs and our will to survive. Red radiates a strong and powerful masculine energy. As a state that has pioneered so many firsts, the red color expresses pioneer spirit and leadership qualities, and promotes ambition and determination. What more, red has variously been celebrated by lovers annually on February 14th as typifying love.
So the choice of red by Governor Ayade can best be described as creatively and imaginatively apt and impeccable.
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