GOVERNOR AKPABIO ATTRIBUTES DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE TO CHURCHES

The State Government has acknowledged the contribution of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) to the solid economic growth of the country.

Governor Godswill Akpabio stated this during the inauguration of the Archbishop of Uyo and the enthronement of Bishop Emmanuel Udofia as the Archbishop on Sunday, March 16, 2014.

Represented by his deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, the Governor said since the birth of of the church in Nigeria by the missionaries, the church had impacted positively, not only in evangelism but in the provision of enduring legacies in education, health and vocational skills for our children.

He said the uncommon transformation witnessed in the state was as a result of the partnership of his administration with the church.

Chief Akpabio congratulated the Uyo Diocese of MCN for its elevation as the Archdiocese and the enthronement of Bishop Udofia as the first Archbishop of the Diocese as an uncommon phenomenon.

The Governor charged the church to continue to be fervent in their prayer for the country in view of the challenges of terrorism which has assumed a higher momentum.

He pledged his administration’s commitment to continue to partner the church in the development of the state for sustainable progresses.

In his homily, the Prelate of MCN, Dr Samuel Uche, charged Christians to rededicate themselves to God by being born again.

He said the church has become worldly, manifesting various forms of rebellion and corruption against the divine ordinances, this according to him, has doomed the Christendom.

To wit this, the cleric stressed the need for all to reassess their conducts and resolved to forsake sin and accept Christ as the lord and savior for our eternal salvation.

He expressed appreciation to the state government for the laudable infrastructure in the state and visions the partnership of the church for divine guidance and prayed God to bless the government and people of the state.

The service which was attended by top government functionaries, the political class and religious leaders from within and outside the state also featured the presentation of Sir Emmanuel Udo as the Archdiocesan Lay President and Mrs. Alice Nyong Eyamba as the Diocesan Lay President.