Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom Governor has tasked churches in the country to return to old pathway of discipline and moral upbringing in order to positively influence the society.
Emmanuel gave the charge, Saturday during the funeral service of Madam Matim, mother to the State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Aniekan Akpan held at Government Primary School, Ikot Oku Usung in Ukanafun Local Government Area.
The governor recalled that the Church hitherto was known for discipline and moral upbringing should play a pivotal role in influencing the society positively as well as correct the ills, rather than allowing the society to influence it.
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“In those days, the church used to influence the society, but today it is the society that is influencing the church.
“Before now, dance steps in the church were seen in the society but today dance steps in club are seen in the church. So, the outside is influencing the church more than what used to be. And I don’t want the church to lose its bearing because the immorality we are experiencing today in the society is because the church is not doing what it used to do,” he stated.
Emmanuel, who commiserated with the State Chairman of PDP and the entire family, urged Elder Akpan to be consoled by the fact that his mother lived a fulfilled and accomplished life and exited gracefully at 90, after witnessing him attaining a successful and accomplished life.
The Governor pledged to complete abandoned General Hospital, Ikot Akpa Nkuk in Ukanafun as well as build a second line of Palm Kernel factory to produce oil and palm-related materials to boost the economy.
“We are about to change the palm kernel processing line into a refinery. I am coming back to commission the second line and expand it so that there can be a major source of raw materials to other places.
“I assure you that before we leave office, we should be able to complete General Hospital in Ukanafun because we have discovered the distance to the one at Ikot Okoro.”
Pastor Umo Eno commiserates too
The state PDP Governorship candidate, Pastor Umo Eno also commiserated with the family, and prayed God to rest the soul of the deceased, Madam Martin Simon Akpan.
In his condolence message at the funeral, Eno described death as an inevitable end of every mortal, and God’s supreme authority on all that he created.
He noted that the deceased has left a good legacy especially, well- nurtured children as exemplified in the party’s chairman.
“Death is an inevitable end for every mortal, and God’s supreme authority on all that he created, But “the Lord cares deeply when His loved ones die” Psalm 116:15. I encourage you to be strong in the Lord.
“My wife, family and the entire Umo Eno & Akon Eyakenyi 2023 team, join me in praying that God grants the departed eternal rest and comforts your family at this time of grieve,'” the message read in part.
He thanked God for preserving their late mother to 90, and prayed for comfort to the family.
The well-attended ceremony conducted by the United Evangelical Church, attracted dignitaries across the State including Governor’s Wife, Dr Martha; Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo; Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. Aniekan Bassey, and the state Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, among others.
Earlier, the State Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Akpan had described his mother as a woman who made selfless sacrifices to ensure their success in life, and appreciated the governor for his show of love in supporting the family towards the burial of their mother.
He thanked Governor Emmanuel for the construction of 11.5 km road which spans from Ikot Oku Usung to Ikot Akpan Afaha and provision of other valuable infrastructure in the community.
In his homily, Rev. Samuel Udeme Ebukiba, the Chairman of Conference, United Evangelical Church, who tagged his message ‘Please Run’ from Gen:19:12-17 enjoined Christians to run from all appearances of evil and indulgence in immoral acts, stressing that they should run to God and accept Him as the one that gives salvation to mankind.
Thanksgiving service
The funeral rites of Matim, mother of the State PDP Chairman, Rt Hon Elder Aniekan S. Akpan climaxed Sunday with a thanksgiving service by the immediate family to appreciate God for the life their matriarch lived on earth.
The service held at United Evangelical Church, Ikot Oku Usung, Ukanafun was presided over by Rev E. O. Akpan.
Leading the deceased family in thanksgiving, Aniekan Akpan said the family has firmly fixed its strength on the unchangeable nature of God whom he says never fails in playing the motherly role in the lives of the motherless.
According to him, “To us as a family, it’s a celebration of life for our dear mother. And as we begin this new phase without her, we are confident that God Almighty will give her soul eternal rest. It is a thing of joy to us that our dear mother had led all of us by the hand to God and had lived by example with the way she was committed to the ways of God.”
He described his mother as a woman who made selfless sacrifices to ensure their success in life, saying he and his immediate and extended family are consoled by the fact that their mother lived a fulfilled and accomplished life and exited gracefully at 90, after witnessing him and his sisters attained a successful and accomplished life.
The party chairman, who described Ikot Oku Usung as a city, courtesy of Governor Udom Emmanuel, further thanked him for the construction of 11.5 km road that spans Ikot Akpan Afaha to Ikot Oku Usung and provision of other valuable infrastructure in the community and Ukanafun in general.
