The sterling performance of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, in barely five months of his assumption of office courtesy of the A.R.I.S.E Agenda blueprint of his administration has earned him accolades and awards with the latest coming from The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Ikono Field, Akwa Ibom State Territory.
National President of The Apostolic Church, Apostle Samson Igwe, conferred the Beacon of Hope Award on the Governor at a service marking the Ikono Field Annual Convention and Dedication of the ultra modern Field Headquarters Temple of the church at Nung Ukim, Ikono Local Government Area.
Similarly, the immediate past Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, was decorated with a Pillar of Development Award for his outstanding contributions to church Development and Evangelism.
Speaking at the service, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, appreciated the Apostolic Church fold, and the entire Christendom for acknowledging his strides, assuring that he would use the ARISE Agenda blueprint to transform the landscape of the State with concrete development strides with much impact at the grassroots.
He appreciated the support given to him that saw to his emergence as governor, saying that the church members and christians in the State stood by him and worked assiduously for his emergence.
“Thank you so much for the support that the church gave us during the last election that has made it possible for one of you to become a Governor. Thank you so much.
“Thank you the choirs, thank you the youths, thank you the women, thank you the witnesses, thank you the men, thank you our fathers for the prayers and for the body language you displayed.”
Governor Eno who admired the newly built magnificent edifice particularly acknowledged its ambience, describing the structure as a new generation Apostolic Church and attributed the elevation of the church members to the unprecedented transformation witnessed in the church .
“This is how a church should be. I love this church. This is the new generation Apostolic Church. I like the space, I like the ambience, and I love the aesthetics.
As God lifts people in this Church, good things are coming in.
“We want to thank God for the church.We want to thank God for this convention and the Ikono field. I want to thank God for all the people that God used to make this happen. The Lord God almighty will make this a memorial in their honour that heaven will continue to look down on this investment in name of the Lord and bless their generation in Jesus name.”
On his part, immediate past Governor, Udom Emmanuel spoke glowingly on Justice Inyang Okoro’s commitment to the service of God and humanity, having taken the lead in the building of the massive edifice for Ikono Field of the Apostolic Church and prayed God’s blessings on him and all that contributed to the success of the project.
He also commended the Ikono youths for ensuring the protection and preservation of government infrastructure provided for them during his administration, describing the gesture as deserving of more benefits from government.
Earlier, the facilitator of the Ikono Field Headquarters building project, Justice Inyang Okoro, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for making out time from his busy schedule to honour God and the church with his presence, extolling the contributions of the immediate past governor who extended enormous support towards the building and constructing access roads to the church and community .
He also thanked the church members and others for their various contributions towards the building project and prayed God’s blessings on them .
Preaching on the theme of the Convention, “The Glory of the Latter House”, culled from Haggi 2:7-9, the National President of the Apostolic Church, Nigeria, Apostle Sampson Igwe, admonished people to take steps to provide God with a temple, either as a material building or by surrendering themselves to him.
He declared an increased glory of God in the new church auditorium on the lives of all that surrender themselves to God.
