By Priscilla Christopher
Governor Udom Emmanuel has charged the Church to wake up to its role in fighting cultism and other social vices in the State.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor said this at the Enthronement Ceremony of His Grace, Most Rev’d Offiong Mensah, as Archbishop of Uyo Province of the African Church.
The event which held on Sunday, March 21, 2021, at the African Church, St. Stephen’s Cathedral along Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo, had the Governor tasking Church leaders on preaching reformative messages that would instruct the mind and correct bad indulgences which could result in social vices.
“The church should collaborate with the government in the aspect of stamping out vices in our society such as cultism, murder, kidnapping and etc through reformative messages preached from the pulpit”, the Governor stated.
“The church is a place of reform. When reform messages are preached from the pulpit and the church joins hands with the government, these vices which are plaguing the society will come to an end”, he maintained.
Represented by the State Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, Governor Emmanuel who congratulated the newly enthroned Archbishop, wished him well in his elevated position and prayed for more elevations on his life.
He however charged Archbishop Mensah on the need to remain humble, empathetic and humane when dealing with people.
“A throne carries power and is something that could be intoxicating but God wants you to handle this throne with blessing and humility; from the throne can come blessing, stagnation and curse ”, he charged.
“Just as your regalia humbles you by folding-in your hands to ensure that even on the throne, you do not lift up your hands without a righteous cause; you’re not supposed to lift up a hand of power against your parishioners but to look at them as human beings who are frail, while handling their affairs and that of others with humility”, he expressed.
While also charging the parishioners, the State Governor cautioned them on learning at the Archbishop’s feet with humility, obedience and submission, while urging them to encourage him unto better service.
“Approach the throne of His Grace with humility so that you can draw lessons from the throne. Encourage him so that he can deliver maximally on his responsibilities as the Archbishop of the church”, Governor Emmanuel advised.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor who also called for the support of the African Church for his completion agenda wished the new Archbishop success in his endeavors.
In his remarks, Primate of the African Church, His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia stressed on the need for the Church to support the Ministers to enable them do the work of God with ease.
He also charged the Ministers on the imperatives of preaching the undiluted word of God to remind the congregation of the gospel and salvation of Christ. Dr. Udofia pointed out that it was only through sound teaching and a sincere practice of the word that people would have the joy and blessings from God, which is in Christ.
In his message of appreciation, the newly elevated Archbishop of Uyo Province of the African Church, Most Rev’d Offiong Mensah thanked God for the grace and ability to serve Him for 30 years in priesthood and 20 years in episcopacy, prior to his elevation as the Archbishop.
He also appreciated the Governor Udom Emmanuel for finding time to grace the occasion, while commending the Governor for standing upbeat in the task of governing the people. Describing the Governor as the best performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the clergy prayed for more of God’s guiding grace to see him through his completion agenda bid.
Archbishop Offiong Mensah is the pioneer Archbishop to be sworn-in in the newly created Uyo Province of the African Church.
Goodwill messages were received by the Chairman, Uyo Local Government Area, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo; Permanent Secretary, Government House, Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan; Member representing Uyo state Constituency, AKHA, Rt Hon. Anietie Eka; Snr. Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr. Ime Uwah, and others.
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