Photos: Akwa Ibom Govt. Lays Foundation For Ecumenical Centre; Seeks Public Partnership

Ndifreke P. Akpan (Govt House)

Governor Udom Emmanuel has announced that the construction of the International Worship Centre in uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, is not entirely a Government affair.

The Governor who said that the cost of the ecumenical centre shall be borne by Corporate organizations, Non Governmental Organizations, NGOs, Philanthropists and Political appointees at the federal and state levels encouraged the people to identify with the project.

The Governor who stated this during the foundation laying ceremony of the International Worship Centre on Sunday January 21, 2018 asserted that whoever contributed towards the construction of the edifice was sowing a seed for his or her generation yet unborn.

He said a fresh altar, with a minimum of 8,500 seater International Worship Centre, was being raised for the Lord in Akwa Ibom State and thanked the immediate past and present leaderships of Christian Association of Nigeria for leading all the blocks of christians to standby and support the project.

The Governor said the event was not a normal ground breaking ceremony and declared that the gathering was one hundred percent a spiritual matter.

The Governor who took the Bible reading from Psalms 127, verse one to the end, appealed to Akwa Ibom people to remain peaceful, united and continue to look up to the hill from where their salvation cometh.

According to the Governor, "By doing this today, I join my faith with my Daddy in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye as we do this. The Bible says the Lord shall give us the hidden treasures of darkness and riches in secret places so that Akwa Ibom might experience prosperity, wealth, it might be well with our children, create jobs for our people and better living irrespective of the world's economy". He stated that, "We are one indivisible people where politics and tribal affiliations cannot dismember the cord of the bond of our brotherhood".

In a sermon, the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who took his text from first Chronicles, chapter 17: 12-14 described God as a master builder who works in partnership with men and a rewarder of those who are in partnership with Him when He is building.

The Governor expressed confidence that though people may be predicting tough political environment in the state during the forth coming elections, every political consultation, primary election and other related engagements will come and go peacefully. Pastor Adeboye thanked God for finding in Governor Udom Emmanuel a partner to build a temple for Himself and assured that the place of worship will be built whether the devil likes it or not. The man of God who made references to other Bible portions to drive home his points said if the people joined forces with the Governor in building the temple that their reward will be outstanding.

The CAN Chairman who noted that the Governor had always shown commitment and willingness to appreciate God for awesome benevolence described the Worship Centre as breathtaking.

He prophesied blessings, long life, and prosperity among others upon the people stating that the building they saw as a picture will, in less than two years, become a reality. Pastor Adeboye, in company of other men of God, the state Governor and other top government functionaries prayed and laid the foundation for the building. The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Akwa Ibom State, Rev. Dr. Ndueso Ekwere, in a good will message thanked the state Governor for allowing God to use him to build a house for Himself. He enjoined the people to take the projects as serious as possible so as to complete it in record time and expressed the hope that the edifice would be a source of help and solace to all who diligently seek and believe in the Almighty God.

The event with the theme, "He Shall Build Me A House" took place at the fringe of the banking layout, off Udo- Udoma Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The foundation laying ceremony attracted the wife of the state Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barrister Onofiok Luke, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, National and State Assembly members, State Executive Council members, Traditional Fathers, other top government functionaries, women, youths and elders.

See more pictures below..

January 22, 2018