Gov Emmanuel Enlists Christians In WarAgainst Cultism

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Gov Emmanuel Enlists Christians In WarAgainst Cultism

The Akwa Ibom governor has sought the support of church fathers in the ongoing war waged by government against cultism in the state.

Mr Udom Emmanuel, while receiving members of Akwa Ibom Spiritual Fathers of Faith, stated that a new wave of cultism was brewing in the state and that Church fathers must brace up against it.

Governor Emmanuel made this remark recently, when the Christian fathers, led by former national president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and prelate emeritus of Methodist Church, Dr. Sunday Mbang, CON, paid him a visit at Government House, Uyo, to pray for the governor and assure him of their continued support to enable the governor fulfil the Completion Agenda of his second term in office.

The governor, who expressed delight at the unity of the Christian community in the state, noted that such gesture was exceptional, and acknowledged the continued love and attention paid by the Christian community to his administration, especially prayers and intercession for peace and the success of his re-election last year.

The governor observed that such show of unity, love and support he enjoyed from Christians could not be found in other parts of the country, and appealed to Christians to ensure that such gesture was sustained, especially as the state was predominantly Christians.

According to the governor, what has helped his administration to remain focused, against all challenges, was the intercession mounted by Christian fathers.

He recalled that shortly after he was elected five years ago, his government was confronted with many serious threats, including economic recession, aggressions mounted by political opponents with threats to unleash violence on the state, the COVID-19 economic disruptions that affected virtually all aspects of projections for the current year and the deliberate falsehood, orchestrated through unfair media publications against his administration.

He particularly denied media reports that painted his government as only interested in the purchase of Prado jeeps, stating that he was still using the old vehicle he recovered in 2016 when he assumed office as governor.

The governor, who reiterated his commitment towards the industrialization of the state, asserted that his administration had laid a solid economic foundation with the establishment of many industries, completion of the 21 smart storey building for use by major oil companies, massive investment in agriculture for food sufficiency and the development of the aviation sector.

The governor stressed that his administration would ensure Ibom Air boasts of at least seven aircrafts before he leaves office as governor.

Governor Emmanuel, who enjoined the spiritual fathers to continue to pray for the sustenance of peace and prosperity of the state, decried the widespread of cult activities, especially in secondary schools and enlisted the support of the clergymen in stamping out the evil of cult infestation in our schools.

While restating his government's zero tolerance for cultism with the disbandment of cult organizations in Akwa Ibom, the governor solicited further cooperation from church leaders to ensure moral values and godliness were emphasised and taught to dissuade the younger generation from participating in cult activities, ascertaining that "every single crime the government has busted, has root in cultism.

In his remarks, the leader of Akwa Ibom State Spiritual Fathers of Faith, Dr. Sunday Mbang, assured that the forum was rallying church leaders against infestation of cultism in the society.

Mbang praised the governor's bold step towards eradicating cult activities by disbanding cult-related organisations in the state, saying, "Your recent proscription of 26 cult groups in Akwa Ibom State could only have been courageously done by a man of faith, one who fears God.

He prayed that, God who "used you to set the state free from these evil practices will remain a point of reference for a very long time.

The prelate further stressed, "By this your godly, sincere, unadulterated and transparent action, you and the Spiritual Fathers in Akwa Ibom State are now on the same page on our resolve to sustain the sanity you have brought to our state.

Aside from praying for the government, the Christian body has also launched a campaign against cultism, especially by those who were interested in political offices.