Established in 1964, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Ikot Obong Edong, Ikot Ekpene Diocese on Sunday 28th September celebrated God’s faithfulness towards the church for the last fifty years tagged “Golden jubilee of charity”.
As part of the event, an award of excellence was presented to the wife of Governor and founder Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI) Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio as the ‘’ Eka Atua Owo Mbom’’, in recognition of her role in transforming the lives of the less privileged and widows in the state.
Another prominent milestone of golden jubilee celebration Mrs. Akpabio commissioned a two bedroom flat apartment built by the church for a widow, Mrs. Philomena Usoro. Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio also witnessed the solemnization of marriage between Mr. / Mrs. Felix Umoette, a couple with hearing impairment.
Speaking, the wife of Governor, Mrs. Akpabio thanked the church for the honour done her, saying she held the award in high esteem. She also extolled the virtues of the parish priest very Rev. Mosignr. Etukudoh for his steadfastness in God’s vineyard praying that God will reward him. The Governor’s wife while speaking charged the Golden Jubilee couple to be loyal to their vows saying they were part of the reason she specifically honoured the invitation.
In her usual manner of alms giving, Mrs. Akpabio donated sets of kitchen utensils; a set of plates and pots, fridge, a deep freezer, gas cooker and plasma television set with a DVD player plus a cash gift of hundred thousand naira to the couple, urging them to love each other as Christ loved the church. She admonished the wife not to joke with her husband’s meals, but should learn how to cook her husband’s favourite meals. The church was not left out as the Governor’s wife also donated a cash gift of Five Hundred Thousand naira to the parish and Two Hundred thousand naira for the Catholic Women Organization of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
Also at the jubilee celebration, the wife of SSG Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel donated the sum of one million for the parish on behalf of her husband while the wife of Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Anne Enoidem donated the sum of the Five Hundred thousand on behalf of Her Excellency’s entourage to the parish. Mrs. Akpabio solicited the church to always pray for the government calling on all to work towards ensuring a better and safer society for all. She said that come 2015 the will of God will be manifested in the state irrespective of what anybody feels. She called on the church to pray for a peaceful transition in 2015.
Responding, the Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, His lordship Most Rev. Camillus Umoh appreciated the Governor’s wife for gracing the occasion and for the uncommon projects she has carried out through her agency for change, noting that the house for the widow was in tandem with the charity works of St. Vincent de Paul which is also in line with the wife of the Governor’s pet project- Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI).
Bishop Umoh also thanked the governor chief Godswill Akpabio for his giant strides of uncommon transformation insisting that the presence of the governor’s wife meant the governor was in their midst. He asked the government to please liaise with relevant Federal Government authorities to come to their aid noting that they were cut off from their neighboring Abia State Communities. Most Rev. Umoh prayed for God’s blessing and more grace on the Governor’s wife, her husband and her entire family.
The celebration also featured Song renditions by the Catholic women organization, a eulogy presented by Rev. Fr. Igwe in memory of St. Vincent de Paul, goodwill messages from the deputy Governor, noble lady Valeria Ebe, Secretary to government Mr. Udom Emmanuel, top government functionaries and other notable groups and individuals.
Accompanying the wife of Governor was the wife of Speaker AKHA, Mrs. Mary Ikon, wife of deputy speaker, Mrs. Ime Udokierien, wife of SSG, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, the coordinator of Family Life Enhancement Initiative, Mins. Asuama Sydney, wives of commissioners led by Mrs. Anne Enoidem, wives of members Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
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