The Akwa Ibom Governor, Sir Godswill O. Akpabio, has called on Nigerians to shun ethnicity and embrace love to ensure the greatness and prosperity of the country.
Akpabio, who made the call on Wednesday during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service held at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo, the state capital, hinted that his administration is anchored on love and not discrimination in the execution of people-oriented projects.
He said: ”Till now, not only has God’s will been done, but also God has piloted the affairs of our state.
“He has given His Angels charge over us so that we do not dash our feet against the stones of ethnicity and tribalism.
“He has given us power to tread upon the scorpions of banditry and serpents of falsehood.
“Today, we bask and rejoice in His promise that because we have set our eyes on Him therefore will he deliver us and set us high because we have known His name.
”Our children must follow God if they want to succeed.
“We set a path today for the people to follow righteousness.
“In coming together for the thanksgiving service, we come to once again consecrate our state and dedicate it to God.
“In consecrating our state, we renew our dreams and recommit ourselves to the paths of righteousness set for us by our forebears when they named this state after God.
“We should rejoice in this pride of place that God has given our state in our nation.
“We may have differences but such differences should be in means not end.
“They should be in roads not destinations.
“They should be in premises not conclusions.
“The end, the destination and conclusion for all Akwa Ibom people should be the progress, development and prosperity of our dear state.”
The Bishop of the Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, preaching on the theme: ‘The Lord is our strength’, said: “If God is our strength, we should not love by discriminating other people.
“The way God sees strength is different from the way human beings see it..
“Our challenge is to beg God to give us the strength and character in our daily life.
“Although God is our father, the resources are not equitably shared the way we want.
“If so, we won’t be wallowing in poverty.
“Politics is purely an instrument of self-enrichment but as an instrument in the hands of God for good Christians to deliver the services and trust that God had given to them.
“I think to that extent, from what I have seen and heard, so many of you have reason to be very grateful.
”But material is not the measure of the greatness of nation.
“It is what is in our hearts that is of great importance.
“I want to end by calling on us to think more about our personal selfishness and greed.
“When we live in a country like Nigeria, where too many poor people who know God as our father live together with the rich, then something must be done to change the situation.”
Kukah commended Akpabio for the judicious use of resources, adding: “But there must be a correlation among the spirit of fairness, justice and peace.
“Lack of peace can lead to lack of justice whether increase of inequality of resources in our midst.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Umana Okon Umana, thanked the governor for leading the state well.
Umana attributed the success story of the state to love and lack of discrimination in the distribution of social amenities among various component parts.
Earlier, the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Cletus Bassey, said in 2012, the people depended on the mercies of God but in 2013, the people should draw closer to God.
Bassey, who thanked the church for praying for the state government to guarantee peace and stability, called for repentance among the people, adding: “‘Do not take this service lightly because a number of us who were here last year have not witnessed it today.”
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