The Governor Udom Emmanuel has again emphasized the need for families to cultivate the virtue of love and togetherness for the attainment of peace, stability and growth in the society.
The Governor was speaking at St. Brigid’s Catholic Parish, Urua Akpan, Essien Udim Local Government Area, where he, in company of the Secretary to the State Government Sir Etekamba Umoren, Member representing Essien Udim State Constituency in the House of Assembly Hon Nse Ntuen, Chairman Ibom Power Company, Engr Etido Inyang, State Executive Council Members and other dignitaries attended a Church service.
Governor Emmanuel noted that a peaceful home engenders a society free from rancour and strife and urged the Church not to relent in it role of imparting morale to the family which he identified as the nucleus of the society.
The Governor appreciated the Church for joining Catholic denominations the world over to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family which coincided with a mass wedding organized for sixteen Couples in the church and charged Christians to emulate the parents of Jesus, Joseph and Mary who successful brought up their son to achieve his earthly mission.
Governor Emmanuel made a cash donation to the sixteen wedded couples, congratulated them on the wedding and wished them eternal marital bliss.
Preaching at the service, the Parish Priest, Rt Rev. Monsignor Peter Inyangetoh, harped on the need for husbands to show sincere love to their wives as Christ loved the church and urged wives to respect and submit to their husbands saying that it is a commandment from God.
Father Inyangetoh maintained that the prevailing social disorder that has reigned supreme in the society emanate from homes and would best be addressed at the family level.
He prayed God to restore peace at homes, church and the society and expressed appreciation to the Governor for worshipping in the church in the last service of the year, thanking him for his contribution to the church building project.
The Church service, which featured praises and prayers for the state, families and the wedded couple, climaxed in the mass wedding conducted by the Parish Priest, Father Monsignor Inyangetoh.