January 03, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has pledged his unweaving support to his successor, Pastor Umo Eno, to surpass his records in office as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Mr Emmanuel said one of the secrets of his successful reign as governor is the support he got from Christian fathers in the State and has expressed happiness that they are extending the same to his successor.
The former governor stated this at a New Year State Thanksgiving service to usher in 2024 in Akwa Ibom State.
“I don’t have any doubt or fear, I still stand on what I said from day one that you will do 200 times better than me in all ramifications and God will give you the enablement and capacity to make that happen,” he stated.
Allaying fears about the capacity of his successor, Mr Emmanuel stated, “When God sends you, he gives transportation money. He equips, he gives you the capacity, and he gives you everything to keep it up and running.”
Thanking Akwa Ibom people for their support to Governor Eno, he maintained that the unity of the State must be upheld.
“Let me thank the youth, women, elders, and all those who believed in us. I believe that as the Preacher today said, we need one mind, and we must be strengthened together. The Governor alone can not do it.
“May God unite all of us together, strengthen us as a people to know that Akwa Ibom is beyond one man,” he said.
He thanked the Governor for inviting him to come and join in the celebration.
Relishing on the vision behind the worship centre, Mr Emmanuel said he was moved by the fact that despite being named after God, the State had no befitting place of worship.
“Probably today, we would have been under the sun, but we now have a place where we can all gather, an altar where we can gather to worship God.
“I remember in one of my commissionings, I made a statement that the birds have their nest in the air but we Christians do not have a place to worship but today, we give God all the glory. Thank you, our Governor, for making this day a success.
“I want to use this opportunity to sincerely thank the Fathers of Faith. Once there is a king succeeding, watch the back, and you’ll see a priest.
“I really want to thank them. These are the priests that really backed me and are backing you up also. I can guarantee you that all of us will give you the support you need. “
“Once again, I stand here to give God all the glory for energising and the sustenance of our beloved Governor, Our leader, that God has graciously given to us at a time like this. The same God that raised him will sustain him no matter what happens. God does not send someone on an errand and forsake him,” he added.
In his remarks at the event, Governor Eno expressed delight over the array of attendees and venue of the event, which he described as not just a Worship Centre but a tourist attraction, particularly expressing gratitude for having the immediate past governor and initiator of the Worship Centre project at the event.
The Governor assured that he would ensure the maintenance of the facility as a valuable asset of the State and maintain the spiritual component of the Worship Centre as an altar of the State through daily prayers in the centre throughout the year.
He, therefore, announced the appointment of the Uyo Field Superintendent of the Apostolic Church, Pastor Ime George, as coordinator of the prayer roaster and Rev. Hilkiah Eliatha as Secretary, as well as a technical crew to maintain the facility
The event had in attendance clergymen across various denominations, State and Federal Government officials, including the Minister of State for Petroleum, (Gas), ObongEmem Ekperikpe Ekpo, Senator Ita Enang and Commissioner of the NDDC from Akwa Ibom State, among others, as well as sociocultural groups and people from all walks of life, who jointly offered praises, worship and prayers for the state, country and leaders at various levels of governance.
