Okon Bassey in Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno, has called for harmony among religious leaders and Christian community in the state, promising that every interest would be accommodated for the realisation of the vision of his administration.
The governor said his vision for the state is in agriculture, rural development, infrastructural expansion, security, and education and entrepreneurial development (ARISE) agenda.
He expressed gratitude to religious leaders and the entire Christian community in the state for the commitment, prayers and support during the electioneering culminating in his emergence as the governor of the state.
Eno was speaking while addressing a cross-section of religious leaders in the state at the state Banquet Hall in Government House, Uyo.
He noted that the sacrificial role of the religious leaders and that of the Christian community cannot go unnoticed, as their gestures contributed immensely to his success at the polls.
The meeting, he said, was organised as a mark of respect he gives to the religious leaders and Christendom as a whole.
The governor, who described his emergence as a symbolic door opener to other Christian leaders and born-again Christians, said with him in the saddle, Christians would be encouraged to access positions of leadership.
According to him, “We have come to say thank you, and to see how we can work together with the church to ensure that we are door openers through which other born-again Christians can access and come after us.
“It is our conducts as Christian leaders that will determine and open doors for other Christians to come after us.”
He announced his intention to set up a Christian Leadership Advisory Council to liaise between the government and the Christian community.
The governor also spoke of plans to localise this year’s Christmas Carol festival with innovations, explaining that indigenous gospel artistes would be given the opportunity to sell their creativity to the world to enable them excel in line with the ARISE agenda of his administration.
Governor Eno used the occasion to announce and present his newly appointed Special Assistant on Religious Matters, Pastor Ini-ima Umoh to the gathering.
Speaking on behalf of the religious leaders, Senior Pastor of the Believers Assembly Evangelical Nigeria, Prof. Isaiah Isong, expressed gratitude to God for the governor’s success at the polls, and thanked him for calling the meeting to create interaction with the Christian community.
