Monday July 13, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
A call has been made to Christians, irrespective of their denominations and affiliations, to continuously pray for the government and those in positions of authority to enable them deliver effective and people-oriented leadership.
The Coordinator of the office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, made the call during the grand finale of the week-long spiritual convocation of the GospelCity Worship Centre, Uyo, with the theme “Taking Over Territories.”
She expressed appreciation to the Lead Pastor of the church, the Rev. Chidi Nwachukwu, and his wife Margaret for their steadfast support for the administration of Governor Umo Eno, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to the peace and progress of the state.
While acknowledging God’s sustaining grace upon the ministry,
Lady Obareki who said she was honoured to be part of the spiritual gathering and grateful for the opportunity to benefit from the impactful teachings, prayed for greater strength, expansion and increased impact in the years ahead. She also prayed that every worshipper would leave the service spiritually enriched and divinely empowered.
As part of her humanitarian outreach, Lady Obareki presented cash gifts and other items to vulnerable members of the church to support their welfare.
Delivering a sermon at the service, the Guest Speaker and Lead Pastor of the Daylight Worship Centre, Lagos, the Rev. Joseph Akanya, who ministered on the theme, “Taking Over Territories,” described territorial takeover as taking ownership through divine authority, wisdom and strategic action. He stressed that faith remains an indispensable ingredient for believers who desire to make lasting impact, noting that knowledge protects people from exploitation.
Drawing lessons from Matthew 10:1 and 16, the Rev. Akanya said Jesus instructed believers to combine wisdom with spiritual discernment, explaining that while strategy represents a long-term plan, tactics determine how individual battles are fought and won. According to him, the Holy Spirit remains Heaven’s Chief Strategic Officer, guiding believers differently in every situation, adding that God’s leading continues even when His presence may not be immediately visible.
Also speaking, the Lead Pastor of GospelCity Worship Centre, the Rev. Chidi Nwachukwu, who commended the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for the developmental projects being executed across Akwa Ibom State, also appreciated Lady Helen Eno Obareki for her consistent humanitarian interventions for vulnerable and less privileged persons.
The Rev. Nwachukwu disclosed that the church would build on Lady Obareki’s compassion by instituting an empowerment programme for vulnerable members, on the last day of every convention, effective July 2027.
The Coordinator was accompanied to the service by the Wife of the Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Council, Mrs. Mmokut Ukpanah, together with other members of the First Family including Mrs. Jayne Ufot and other dignitaries, as well as staff of the office of the First Lady.
The service featured praise and worship, thanksgiving, special soul lifting choir ministrations and prayers for the State and Nation.
