A’Ibom SSG Mr Udom Emmanuel and Wife Martha (R), receiving an excellence award from the fmr Nat’l chairman of Qua Iboe Church, Dr Emmanuel Ossom (L)
It was a colourful celebration galore and harvest of buses at the Qua Iboe Church Ewet Offot, Uyo, as top government functionaries led by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, lawmakers, members of the State executive council, members of the organized private sector and the political class in the state thronged the Church to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Church.
The occasion, was the 2014 anniversary of the Church and excellence honour on Mr Udom Emmanuel, a deacon of the Church and other distinguished sons of the State.
The State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to State Government, charged the members of the Church to continue support the State Government in its bid to transform the state for the better.
Mr Udom Emmanuel eulogized Governor Akpabio for his godly disposition in administering the affairs of the state, stressing that in the entire country, no other governor has whole heartedly placed God at the center of his administration like Governor Akpabio.
For encouraging Christians and the growth of the church in the state, Udom Emmanuel advised that the Governor be blessed with prayers and encouragement by all christian faithful in the State.
He announced a donation of an evangelism bus to the church, and also announced a cash donation of N5m on behalf of the State Governor to the church.
The SSG charged them against relenting in the task of spreading the gospel, urging the Church to remember that its major aim is to get the message of peace and God’s blessing to the entire world.
Mr. Udom G Emmanuel who practically performed his assignment as a deacon of the church led in praises to God and also invited the guests one after the other to donate to the evangelism bus project of the church.
Responding on behalf of others who were celebrated at the anniversary, Barr. Onofiok Luke announced a donation of a 32 sitter Bus by the awardees, as well as some cash donations.
Another distinguished senior citizen Sir Emem Akpabio also supported the ceremony on behalf of his friends as he donated an 18-Sitter bus to the Church.
In his homily, the Rev Daniel Akwatang of the Qua Iboe Church Oron Superintendency speaking on the theme, “You are created for God’s Glory,”said that everyone owed God an obligation to serve him faithfully.
Pastor Akwatang maintained that God makes provision for all those who genuinely look up to him, and warned people against relying on fellow human being rather than God.
“You are not a product of chance because God created you for a purpose, and God does not have room for abandoned project.
He acknowledged that the network of quality roads and others gigantic infrastructure as well as the free Education policy of Governor Godswill Akpabio, shows that the Governor means well for his people.
He expressed joy that Governor Akpabio does not abandon his projects and that is why he has encouraged the people of the state to produce a successor who will sustain the uncommon transformation in the State.
Rev Akwatang who recounted his early days at Qua Iboe Church Surulere in Lagos, recalled how Mr Udom Emmanuel had made personal sacrifices to improve the worship service in the Church.
He said that Mr. Emmanuel was responsible for the first template that was developed for national use as the Sunday Schools manual of the Qua Iboe Church, and also introduced the use of modern musical equipment which he personally donated to the Church in Lagos at a time he could not afford a brand new car for himself.
He reiterated that as Christians who are blessed by God, God requires of us an obligation of service to Him in return.
In her Speech, The first lady of Akwa Ibom State , Mrs Ekaette Akpabio charged parents to be serious in grooming their children to guard against prostitution, gangsterism and other vices.
The first lady of Akwa Ibom State charged the people of the State to join her efforts in fighting child trafficking in the State.
Mrs Akpabio encouraged women to participate in the coming elections noting that their votes will determine the emergence of a detribalized God-fearing Governor who may even surpass the records of her husband in the State.
The first lady was not left out of the cash donations and two wrappers to all widows in the Church, while she also donated in support of the realization of the evangelism buses.
The Congregation was full of praises to the State Government for impacting positively on the people of the State.
The Church Chairman Dr Godwin Bassey and the Church Pastor Rev Idongesit Inwang assured Governor Akpabio that he will always enjoy the support of Christians in the Church because of their conviction that God is using him to transform the State.
Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, a former Military Governor of the State, admonished Christians to be Christ like in they doings asking the Church to support President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Akpabio with prayers as this was necessary for leaders to succeed.
Socio-political groups were also there to mark the anniversary and they included Transformation Initiative for Ibom People, led by their BOT chairman Akparawa Ephraim Inyang, Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance ACA led by the International President Pastor Andrew Uwanta, Udom Is Right organization with their Chairman, Elder Ben Udobia.