By Ndifreke AKPAN
Governor Udom Emmanuel has charged the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Akwa Ibom to emulate the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, in organizing prayer conferences in the state for God’s continuous direction.
The Governor stated this while addressing the congregation at Insight Bible Church, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo during the 2017 Training/Prayer Conference of PFN and Thanksgiving Service by the Akwa Ibom State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Harrison Ekpo.
Governor Emmanuel who said that any nation that does not pray well is not heading anywhere thanked the PFN leadership for the Conference and prayed God to bless their Ministries.
He thanked God for making it possible for him and others to be among the worshippers during the Miracle Rally and Thanksgiving Service at the Church and acknowledged what he called Wonderful and Marvellous blessings from the creator at the event.
The Governor who appreciated the beauty of the church also applauded the worthiness of other worship centres in the state. “I stand here to appreciate the Ministers that we have, long before now, we could not have gotten a place like this for this kind of worship but in Akwa Ibom these days, all over the state, we have good worship centres, a sign of God’s blessings upon the State and the Ministry”.
Speaking further, Governor Emmanuel who was also at the event to identify with the Akwa Ibom State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Harrison Ekpo on his Thanksgiving Service stated that it is a good thing to be thankful to God.
The Governor said he was delighted that the Party Secretary had the understanding to thank God in the midst of the congregation noting that some people take such for granted.
Mr Emmanuel reminded the Party Scribe whose event fell on a Wednesday that, “it is not the time or day of thanksgiving that matters, it is the sincerity of heart in giving God thanks”.
The State Chief Executive, accompanied by his wife, Martha, Speaker of the State’s Legislature, Barr. Onofiok Luke, former State Military Governor, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Secretary to the state government, Sir Etekamba Umoren and other top government functionaries, described the Thanksgiving Service as a wonderful and glorious experience and assured the celebrant that God will take him to greater heights.
As part of the Thanksgiving Service, the Governor called on the people to tap from God’s bountiful blessings by contributing to the purchase of a generating set for power supply in the church.
Earlier, the celebrant, Mr Harrison Ekpo had said that the Thanksgiving was in fulfilment of the covenant he made with God on the church altar years back and read from Psalm 136 in appreciation to the Almighty for raising him to a position of prominence.
The State PDP Secretary likened his situation to that of the Biblical David who came as a shepherd boy to a leader in Israel saying that it was amazing that God has made him a different person.
He thanked the Governor and wife, Martha for their goodness to him and his family and prayed God’s blessings upon the first family.
The State Secretary appreciated his wife for the encouragement, his mother, the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke, the State Party chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo and other dignitaries who identified with him during the Thanksgiving Service.
The Guest Speaker at the PFN Conference and Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, KICC, London, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo thanked God for the Governor and people of Akwa Ibom State as he made prophetic declarations with the topic: “Entering the Days of New Things”.
Pastor Ashimolowo read from Isaiah 42:9 alongside other Bible references to buttress his points and prophesied fifty blessings upon the state and the people.
“Akwa Ibom State, hear the word of the Lord, behold the former things have come to pass, new things I declare. You are entering the days of new things, the Bible says a new thing I declare. God is putting Akwa Ibom State and your families on notice, God is putting a Pastor here on notice that things are about to turn around”.
Earlier, the immediate past State Chairman of CAN, Arch Bishop Cletus Bassey had led in an Exhortation on the theme of the conference, “Advancing the Kingdom on All Fronts”.
The event which featured songs’ ministration also had in attendance the PDP family, Senior citizens of the state and women among others.
