Jubilations trailed the formal inauguration of multi-billion Naira International Worship Centre, Uyo built and completed by Akwa Ibom outgoing governor, Udom Emmanuel.
Built by Julius Berger Plc, the centre occupies 5,000 acres with a 10,000 sitting-capacity Centre behind the Udo Udoma Banking Layout at Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area is architectural masterpiece.
Data from the Akwa Ibom State Financial Statements of 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 show that during this period, N12.7 billion of the state fund was spent on the project. However, the exact amount spent from 2017 to 2023 is shrouded in secret.
Also read: International Worship Centre, Uyo To Cost N10bn
It was an opportunity for Christians in Akwa Ibom State converging at the newly constructed magnificent International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, to join the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, in a valedictory service winding down his eight-year tenure in office.
At the Interdenominational service, Emmanuel thanked God for a peaceful administration in the past eight years, acknowledging the mercies of God upon the lives of the people in the state and said that the worship center represents an altar of God where Christians will converge to offer prayers.
“I praise God Almighty that this had been made possible, I want to thank God for the past eight years, we worked day and night and turned all we have in to make this state better, I stand to thank God that we have ended strong”, he stated.
Emmanuel acknowledged the Grace of God upon his life having given him opportunity to serve Akwa Ibom people and leave behind concrete achievements in all sectors by laying economic foundations for the betterment of the state, maintaining that God has led the State through thick and thin which calls for a thanksgiving service.
The outgoing Governor, however, expressed appreciation to the Fathers of faith, state Executive Council Members, the Civil Service structure, Legislature, Judiciary, the Press and the generality of Akwa Ibom people for supporting the vision and growth in the state in the past eight years.
In his homily, Bishop Simeon Afolabi of First Love Assembly, Lagos, Nigeria, reading from Ezra 7: 25, drew analogy from the Biblical Ezra and Nehemiah who recognised God’s hand upon their lives.
The guest preacher acknowledged out that Governor Emmanuel has done same by expressing gratitude to God through the thanksgiving service.
Rev. (Dr.) Uma Ukpai, founder of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, Uyo dedicated the well-designed Centre.
Highlight of the service was the conferment of ‘ABAI Akwa Ibom’ and ‘Idaresit Akwa Ibom’ respectively on Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Wife, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel, by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Akwa Ibom State Chapter.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom Governor-elect, Pastor Umo Eno, also appreciated God over what he described as a happy landing of his soon-to-be predecessor, Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Speaking with newsmen at the valedictory Thanksgiving Service held at the new world-class International Worship Centre in Uyo, he noted that greater is the end of a thing than the beginning.
He said despite the numerous economic challenges witnessed within the 8-year tenure, the governor finished strong with laudable and impactful projects across the state.
Pastor Eno reiterated that given the infrastructure put on ground by successive administrations especially, his soon-to-be predecessor, his ARISE Agenda will basically focus on connecting the dots to further peace, prosperity and development.
He commended the governor for his commitment to the International Worship Centre, which was dedicated during the service.
The governor-elect who is a former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, the supervising ministry for the project, described the structure as a piece of architectural beauty, and assured everyone that whatever is left of the project, will be completed by his administration.
