“Until you RISE you can’t shine, anyone that is seated can’t shine. Because this group has risen, its glory will be seen. Thank you so much for this honour, through me, everyone in my ExCo has become an A.R.I.S.E Ambassador.”
Those were the exact words of the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Akwa Ibom State; Bishop (Dr.) Chris Nyong, after being decorated as the Pillar of the A.R.I.S.E Ambassador.
The ceremony, which took place on Wednesday at the CAN’s Secretariat in Uyo, was attended by members of the State Executive Council of the Christian body.
Among those who witnessed the epoch-making event included the Deputy Chairman, Pastor Uwem Okon; the Treasurer, Pastor Samuel Akpan; and the State Youth Leader, Bishop Durable Osung and the entire Christian community in the State.
Drawing on examples from the Bible, such as when God asked Adam to name the creatures he had created and when Jesus sought human support to carry his cross, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) affirmed their continued support for Governor Umo Eno.
He explained that his support was based on the understanding that the governor’s success is also the success of the Church, and vice versa.
The Chairman emphasized the importance of the partnership with the A.R.I.S.E Ambassadors and the need to continue working together for the good of the state.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, A.R.I.S.E Ambassadors; Comrade Ernest Akpan hinted that, having worked hard to mobilize support for Governor Umo Eno during his campaign, it was important to continue supporting his policies and programmes.
On his part, the Secretary of the BoT, Hon. Quincy Ukpong, stressed the importance of reaching the state’s rural areas with the A.R.I.S.E. agenda of Pastor Eno and assured that the Ambassadors will continue to work tirelessly to help the governor achieve his goals.
Ukpong, who is the Supervisor for Health, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, explained that in the two months since Governor Umo Eno took office, the State Chief Executive has already made significant progress in almost all the sectors of his A.R.I.S.E. Agenda.
Quincy accentuated the group’s believe that the next four years will be a time of great progress for Akwa Ibom, and that they are excited to have a governor that has made the State a cynosure of all eyes even before his 100 days in office.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Executive Council, Rev’d Richard Peters, noted that Pastor Nyong’s administration in CAN has brought unity to the Christian community in the State.
He praised Pastor Nyong and the Akwa Ibom branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria for their steadfast support of Pastor Umo Eno in the lead-up to the governorship elections.
Rev. Peters, who emphasized the value of partnership between the A.R.I.S.E Ambassadors and CAN in achieving the governor’s Agenda, implored Pastor Nyong to continue supporting Governor Umo Eno, expressing his belief that through partnership and collaboration, they can make great strides in projecting the gargantuan achievements of the Governor.
However, various speakers at the event all commended the A.R.I.S.E. Ambassadors for their dedication and hard work in supporting Governor Umo Eno.
They noted that the Ambassadors had sacrificed their time and resources to promote and support the governor’s administration, and that this was a significant contribution to the state.
The speakers were united in their appreciation for the Ambassadors’ efforts and expressed their hope that this support would continue in the future.
Highpoint of the event was the decoration of the CAN’s Chairman and his ExCo with the crested cap and t-shirts Of the of the A.R.I.S.E. Ambassadors, even as Bishop Nyong prayed for the success of Governor Umo Eno’s administration and the group.
