The commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State has enjoined members of the State Information Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, not to allow anyone or any circumstance deprive them of their inner joy.
Comrade Ini Ememobong, Esq. stated this in his remarks during a Thanksgiving Service to mark the end of this year’s State Information Chapel Week, which took place at Restoration Grace Assembly, #2 Nkpoette Effanga Crescent, off Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo earlier today.
The commissioner who was accompanied to the event by the permanent secretary in his office, Akparawa James Edet, MPON commended the sacrifices made by the chapel members, who were also staff of his ministry, saying that they were very hard working and urged them not to relent in their services to the ministry and assured of better days in the near future.
He however, joined the senior pastor of the church, Pastor Charis Essienobong to renew the call on the need for christians to cultivate a joyful attitude, irrespective of the circumstances they may find themselves.
Delivering a message entitled, ” I Have Joy”, pastor Essienobong said believers in Christ can only be strengthened by the joy of the Lord as contained in the book of Nehemiah chapter eight verse ten, adding that one will begin to have an inner joy, after giving his/ her life to Christ.
The Reverend gentleman explained that joy which is one of the fruits of the spirit was the emotion of pleasure and happiness, maintaining that for believers, it was far beyond a mere emotion and described joy as a deep seated feeling of pleasure and gladness that comes from within, depending on the level of one’s relationship with God.
He further said that to everyone who is born again, joy was his or her portion, no matter how depressed Nigerian economy may be, and urged his congregation to see joy as what gives them the physical strength which can also impact positively on the lives of those people around them.
The chairman of the State Information Chapel of the NUJ, Comrade Effiong Edet, Esq and the chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk who led members of the chapel in a thanksgiving session, in their separate speeches said the event was an annual ritual, as it has provided them with an opportunity to thank God
for His love, protection and blessings throughout 2023 service year.
The event ended at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo after members of the chapel and invited guests were treated to a reception to unwind.
The event had in attendance some dignitaries who graced the ceremony. Notable among them were two past state chairmen of the union, Comrade Israel Umoh and Akparawa Ikpong Essien Udom, the director of Information, Mrs Blessing Urua and her Strategy counterpart, Mr Aniekan Ukpong, the assistant secretary of NUJ in the state, Comrade Mfon Hanson, assistant directors in the ministry among others.