By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
As the people of Akwa Ibom joined millions of Christian adherents to celebrate Christmas, the State governor has enjoined them to redouble their efforts in looking out for the vulnerable and downtrodden and inspire in them a spirit of hope and faith of better things ahead of them.
Pastor Umo Eno who stated this, Wednesday, in his Christmas day message, said there was need to inspire in them the spirit of hope and faith that just as Jesus Christ was born in a manger, their current circumstance may change, and they too, can be leaders of tomorrow.
“Christmas is a season of love, of giving and of unity. It is a period where we should redouble our efforts in looking out for the vulnerable and the downtrodden and inspire in them a spirit of hope and faith that, just as our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was born in a manger, their circumstance today may change, and they too, can be leaders of tomorrow”.
Eno thanked Akwa Ibomites for the prayers and support they have given his administration in the last 18 months as it worked to deepen the growth and prosperity of the State, saying, “We have been humbled greatly by what we have collectively achieved across sectors.And, as we get ready to usher in the New Year, we will continue to roll up our sleeves and work harder to ensure we produce enough food to feed our people, extend more development to the rural areas, expand our infrastructure, ensure our State remains an oasis of peace and tranquility and get our children to remain focused in their educational pursuits, so they may compete with their peers all over the world, in the spirit of our ARISE Agenda”.
He assured that his administration will continue to focus on the needs of the people, while challenging them to Arise and flourish through the creative application of the talents and creativity God has embedded in all.
Eno said government has already paid the 13-month salary popularly called ‘Eno-mber’, while the verification exercise of the actual number of public service employees is ongoing, expressing hope that the process will soon beconcluded to enable the commencement of the payment of the N80,000 minimum wage agreed on.
According to him, to bring Christmas cheers to every nook and cranny of the State, government has given out 20 bags of rice to each of the 2,272 gazetted villages in the State, saying, this is a season of glad tidings and we are hopeful that other stakeholders all over the 368 wards will complement the efforts of government to touch the lives of the people in their respective communities.
The governor urged youths to help maintain the peaceful, safe and secure status of the State during the yuletide, even as they should shun anti-social tendencies or acts capable of disturbing public peace.
He stressed the need for the people to wear unity and love as badges of honour and continue to celebrate the bonds of kindredship, which he said is currently in full display at the 2024 edition of the Christmas Unplugged.
“I am aware of the extraordinary cultural display and renaissance currently ongoing at the Christmas Village and the thousands of visitors that are trooping in daily. This is who and what we are all about- the spirit of Akwa Ibom: Happy, industrious, united, creative and God-fearingpeople, bound by shared aspirations, hopes and dreams.
“As we celebrate Christmas today, may this spirit of unity and oneness lead us safely and triumphantly into the New Year”.
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