FIC Report (Akwa Ibom State) – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged citizens to remain grateful to God for the peace and progress recorded in the State as it marks its 39th anniversary.
Governor Eno made the call during a special worship service at Qua Iboe Church, Ewet Offot, Uyo, as part of activities leading to the state’s 39th anniversary thanksgiving scheduled for September 20.
The Governor said his decision to worship at different churches ahead of the anniversary was a demonstration of gratitude to God for His faithfulness to Akwa Ibom State.
He expressed particular appreciation for the peace prevailing in the State, stressing that it should not be taken for granted.
Governor Eno consequently urged the people to shun ethnic and tribal rhetoric capable of threatening the peace and unity of the State.
He called on traditional institutions, religious organisations, political actors, security agencies and other stakeholders to work collectively to preserve the peaceful atmosphere in the State.
According to him, peace is a shared responsibility that must be jealously guarded, particularly as the State approaches another political season.
The Governor also urged citizens to make gratitude a way of life, noting that while thanking God for His blessings, they should also appreciate the men and women through whom God had provided assistance, opportunities and support.
“As you thank God, remember to thank the men God has used to help us. In a season like this, we should show gratitude,” he said.
Governor Eno further appealed to politicians and their supporters to moderate their speeches and demonstrate greater love, restraint and understanding towards one another.
He urged political actors to focus on issues during campaigns, stressing that Akwa Ibom had moved beyond the era when ethnic and religious sentiments could be exploited to divide the people.
“We have gone past ethnic and religious sentiments to divide the State. If we campaign on issues, we can always find a meeting point,” the Governor said.
He maintained that political campaigns should centre on ideas, policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of the people rather than inflammatory rhetoric that could create tension and division.
The State Chief Executive also urged stakeholders to use the approaching political season to strengthen unity among Akwa Ibom people instead of exploiting ethnic, religious or other differences for political advantage.
The Governor thanked the church for its continued contributions to the spiritual and social development of the State, describing the anniversary thanksgiving as an opportunity for reflection, appreciation and renewed commitment to peace and progress.
He commended the leadership of Qua Iboe Church for aligning the church’s monthly theme with the state’s anniversary theme, “The Month of Our Gratitude,” saying the theme provided an opportunity to appreciate God and the people who had contributed to the transformation of the State.
In his homily, the General Superintendent of the Qua Iboe Church Conference, Rev. Ekpedeme Moffat, drew his message from Psalm 136:1–3, with “Gratitude” as the focus of his exhortation.
Rev Moffat urged worshippers to acknowledge God’s love and faithfulness to Akwa Ibom throughout its 39 years of existence and translate their gratitude into practical acts of love and compassion.
He called on those blessed by God to extend their blessings to the less privileged, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society.
According to him, caring for others is one of the clearest ways of demonstrating gratitude to God and attracting His continued favour.
He stressed that thanksgiving should go beyond words and worship to acts that positively impact society.
The Chairman of the church, Elder Ubong David, appreciated Governor Eno for choosing to worship with the congregation and for appointing many of its church members to various positions in government.
David described the appointments as an indication that the church was not left behind in the administration’s ARISE Agenda
EME ESSIEN -UYO
6/9/26
