By Umoh-Obong Kingsley
The General Overseer (G.O) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has described the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, as a man who works in partnership with God in all that he does in the state.
He stated this on Sunday, 21 January, 2018 during the foundation laying ceremony for the 8,500 capacity International Christian Worship Centre in the state located at Banking Layout, Off Udo- Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
The man of God commended the state government under the leadership of Mr Udom Emmanuel for providing a befitting place of worship for God, saying that God is the master builder who works in partnership with men and rewards those who partner with him to build a temple.
Pastor Adeboye, in his sermon drawn from 1 Chronicles 17:12-14, recalled how David in the Bible proposed to build a temple but God declined him and gave the opportunity to Solomon his son, who built the temple and God manifested His acceptance of the gesture with bountiful blessings.
He said no man works for God without a reward, and pointed out that when Jesus partnered Peter in evangelism using his boat, He (God) rewarded him (Peter) with outstanding harvests of fishes.
Pastor Adeboye noted that God, who is the Master Builder, builds men, families, marriages, and called on the people to continue to work with God to receive more blessings.
In his address, Gov Emmanuel thanked Pastor Adeboye for honouring the invitation to lay foundation for Ecumenical Centre in the state, saying that the worship centre was a spiritual exercise performed in fulfilment of the vision of the founding fathers of the state who committed God to the state affairs and named the state after God.
The Governor who took the Bible Reading for the event, read from Psalms 127, and explained that raising an Altar for God was an invocation of more Divine blessings on the state despite the poor state of the economy, and called on the people to continue to look up to the Hill from where their salvation cometh.
He described the state as an indivisible entity bonded by love where politics and tribal sentiment cannot dismember the cord of the bond of brotherhood, and particularly called on corporate organizations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and individuals to contribute towards the building project, explaining that their contributions would be a sacred commitment to the enthronement of Divine presence in the state.
Governor Emmanuel expressed appreciation to Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other religious organisations for their commitment in making the project a reality, emphasising that the blessings of God would multiply in the state with the worship centre in place.
The State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Ndueso Ekwere, in a goodwill message, commended the decision of the Governor to build the ecumenical centre, adding that Akwa Ibom has joined the league of states to have a befitting worship centre, and enjoined the people to contribute meaningfully to ensure it completion as scheduled.
Dignitaries who graced the foundation laying ceremony include wife of the state Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel; Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo; the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) Speaker, Barrister Onofiok Luke.
Others were the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, members of the National and State Assemblies, State Executive Council members, Royal Fathers, Political stalwarts, top government functionaries, women, youths and Christians from various denominations.
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