Gov Eno Describes Conference As Spiritual Convocation For Nation Building

By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has described the converge of Knights of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, on Uyo as a spiritual convocation with the capacity to revamp the spirit, renew the zeal, strengthen the faith for the work of God and refuel the passion for the task of building the nation.
Pastor Umo Eno stated this at the Second Biennial Conference of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Council of Knights, Diocese of Uyo, which took place at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Uyo, with the theme,“Cone Let Us Build,” drawn from Nehemiah 2:17-18.
Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor, who considered the theme of the event as appropriate and timely, reasoned that in view of the present challenges facing Nigeria as a country, there was no doubt that Nigeria was at the stage of a national development where builders were desperately needed.
  Eno noted that at this stage of crises, Nigeria required patriotic, patient and sacrificial builders, stressing that the commitment of all towards nation building will give no room to failure.
  “If we all commit ourselves to building this nation, failure will be impossible,” Eno said.
The state chief executive maintained that the theme of the conference was a clarion call that needed the response to appropriate nation building action, adding that for Akwa Ibom and Nigeria to be great, required the consciousness of committed builders as building was an intentional act.
Eno pointed out that to underscore the intentionality and cost implication of building which Jesus Christ in the book of Luke 14, harped on the need to ascertain the cost implication of building a house, which the guest speaker, General Tunde Ogbeha, rtd, cited Nehemiah in the task of rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, noted the commitment, personal sacrifice and avoidance of distraction in his mission.
He maintained that the solution to the problems facing the nation, lies in the disposition of all, even as government has its own responsibility as a catalyst to coordinate, galvanise, mobilise and drive the change needed to move the country forward.
The governor said the task of building a sustaining and prosperous nation was a joint responsibility of the government and the people who must work assiduously with government to birth the kind of nation we need.
He told the conference that as government, his administration was resolute in ensuring that the state attains the height desired in all aspects of development and remarkable improvement evident in the quality of life of the people, being the thinking and the driving force of the ARISE Agenda.
Eno stated that his government has invested hugely in agricultural production, rural development, infrastructural advancement, security, education, health, tourism, maritime and aviation in the last 14 months, the dots were gradually connected towards building a truly developed, sustainable and prosperous state.
The governor stressed the resolve of his government to practically tame poverty and crush unemployment by creating and empowering the people, especially youths of the state to have jobs through capacity building training and the financial grants extended to them to start and expand their businesses.
Eno informed the conference that the investment of government in agriculture through the Songhai Farm model, capacity building in the aviation sector and the direct involvement of 6000 youths in the Social Investment Programme, were some of the huge initiatives designed to check unemployment and improve livelihood of the citizens.
The governor described the conference as part of the building process and urged the attendees to go from there with a renewed zeal and determination to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the state through prayers for God’s intervention.
The 5th President of Uyo Anglican Council of Knights, Sir Carter Onyeoziri, said the conference came after 22 years to enable Knights reflect and review activities and proffer better ways to assist the church in the propagation of the gospel of salvation.
Onyeoziri explained that the theme of the conference, was a clarion call for all to join and unite to build the family, church, society and the nation on the premise that the situation in the country needed collaborations to build bridges as Christians to develop the country.
The Diocesan Bishop of Uyo, Rt. Revd.Owen Ukafia, said the role of Knights in the Christian fold could not be over emphasised as they were bestowed with the sacred duty of defending the faith with all Godly means within their powers to propagate the gospel.
The conference lecture on the, “Come Let Us Build”, was delivered by the first military administrator of Akwa Ibom, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, while a special address was by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Highpoint of the event was the project launch for Archbishop Adetiloye Seminary, Ntit Oton,for which the state government made a donation of N10 million.