Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has approved the appointment of 90 Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers.

Among the advisers is a former militant leader, Simply Benjamin Ene, who is Special Adviser on Marine Security.

Known as G1, Ene was the leader of the defunct Bakassi Strike Force which surrendered their arms to the Nigerian military. The group was granted amnesty in December 2018.

The appointment was contained in a statement issued Wednesday by the Special Adviser Media & Publicity to the governor, Mr Christian Ita.

The governor had earlier in his second term in office appointed ten special advisers. Among the latest appointees are mostly those who served in his first term.

Some of the appointees and their portfolios are, Chief Peter Abang Ojie, Snr. Special Adviser – Political Matters; Hon. John Eyikwaje, Special Adviser – Asset Management; Anthony Gabriel Ewa Obi, Special Adviser – Assets Recovery; Arc. Eric William Akpo, Snr. Special Adviser – Technical & Maritime Operations; Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, Special Adviser – Callywood; Rt. Hon. Agbiji Mbeh Agbiji, Special Adviser – Aviation; and Hon. Mark Obi, Special Adviser – SDGs.

Others are, Mrs. Ekama Awara, Special Adviser – Women Affairs; Barr. Musa Maigoro, Special Adviser – Non-Indigenes Affairs; Ntufam Edet Okon Asim, Special Adviser – Forestry & Biodiversity; Rev. FR. Eworo, Special Adviser – Religious Matters (North); Rev. FR. Malachy Ephraim, Special Adviser – Religious Matters (South); Rev. FR. Bob Etta, Snr. Special Adviser Religious Matters; and Dr. DC Enamhe, Special Adviser – New Media.

The governor also announced the appointment of 35 board and committee members.

Ayade has over forty commissioners in his cabinet.