…declares Akwa Ibom International Worship Centre set for 2024 New Year Service

As Christians the world over celebrate 2023 yuletide, Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged the people of the State to cultivate the virtue of brotherly love and gratitude to reflect the purpose of Christmas and intensify the atmosphere of peace, harmony and prosperity in the State.

Governor Eno was addressing worshippers at the United Evangelical Church (UEC), Awa Iman, Onna Local Government Area where he shared fellowship with the immediate past Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, past and present leaders in the State and other Christian faithfuls.

He stressed that life was of great value and worth appreciation hence the need to commemorate God’s love as demonstrated in the gift of Jesus Christ for the salvation of man .

“We’re here today only by the grace of God and we thank God that he has kept us alive. For me, the summary of all is that if you are alive, please thank God, because anything could have happened at anytime. So we thank God for life and that’s why we are gathered here today”, he stated .

Governor Eno said his decision to share fellowship in Awa Iman was to reaffirm his resolve to honour his predecessor and maintain the cordial relationship between them, to reciprocate the peace he has instituted in the state and dismissed as blatant lies the notion of the immediate past governor putting pressure on him in the administration of the State.

“it’s a promise I intend to keep, that for as long as God keeps me here, we will continue to come home with you for Christmas. I believe that’s the least we can do to show love and respect, to thank you for seeing in me what others could not see, even I couldn’t see in myself. We have to still come around and show you that you are our leader, father and we still have a lot to learn from you.

“We will still keep running back to you for counsel and I say here on this altar as a Pastor, you have not brought any pressure on me. Not one. If there’s anything, we’re the ones even running after you to ask for advice. So I want to thank you so much for who you are, for your principles. I may be the governor today but you will always be my governor because you have gone ahead of me and you have a clearer understanding of how these things play out,”

The governor affirmed his commitment to ensuring that projects initiated by the previous administration are completed and fully utilized.

He announced that the International Worship Centre was set to host Akwa Ibom people for the 2024 new year and will be maintained like the State’s altar where prayers will be offered daily for the state.

On his part, the immediate past governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, said his practice of returning to his local Church in Awa Iman to share fellowship since his elevation to the post of General Manager in the Banking industry and through his tenure as governor has been his way of expressing gratitude to God and extending his blessing to the people.

The former governor thanked Governor Umo Eno for leading his team to join him in the Christmas service in Awa Iman, affirming that no feud should be expected between him and the sitting governor as there was no basis for such, adding that what he and all Akwa Ibom people owe Governor Eno is prayers to resolve the complexity of governance.

Earlier, the host Minister Reverend Ukeme Udoudo, elaborated on the message of the angel on the birth of Jesus Christ in Luke 2:9-11, admonishing that as Christians celebrate Christmas, they should embrace the goodwill of God to man through his Messiah, Jesus.

Deputy Governor Dr Akon Eyakenyi, SSG Prince Enobong Uwah, Head of Civil Service Elder Effiong Essien , House of Reps Member for Etinan Federal Constituency Hon Paul Ekpo, Wife of former Governor Dr Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel , Political Leader for Uyo Senatorial District ,Senator Effiong Bob, DG Umo Eno/Akon Eyakenyi Campaign Organisation Ambassador Assam Assam, immediate past Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo, Senator Ekong Sampson, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt Hon Udeme Otong , State PDP Chairman Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan , Wife of Former Governor ,Mrs Fumi Nkanga , Transition Committee Chairmen, among others