On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the serene atmosphere of the Government House, Uyo, was transformed into a sanctuary of gratitude and strength. It was not just another prayer gathering; it was a testament to the resilience, faith and unwavering spirit of Akwa Ibom women. Under the banner of the Women’s Monthly Prayer Service tagged “Month of Evidence”, they came together ahead of the state’s 38th anniversary to do what women have always done for Akwa Ibom: nurture, intercede and inspire.
At the heart of the gathering was Lady Helen Eno Obareki, Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, who led the worship with Bible readings from Exodus 33:14–23 and Matthew 7:7–10. Her prayers carried reverence and hope, reflections of the daily sacrifices women make in their homes, workplaces and communities.
For decades, women have been the quiet architects of Akwa Ibom’s progress, raising generations, building businesses, leading in governance and standing firm in faith. It was this legacy that Hon. Inibehe Etukudo, commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, celebrated when she described God’s blessings in the state as “consistent and evident.” She praised Governor Umo Eno’s gender-friendly leadership and commended him for entrusting women with sensitive roles in the state’s administration.
The service also carried a tender moment of remembrance with the announcement of a memorial service for the late First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, scheduled for September 26, 2025, at the All Nations Christian Ministry International (ANCMI), Eket. Her legacy of compassion and devotion remains a reminder that the heartbeat of service in Akwa Ibom has always had a feminine rhythm.
Exhorting the women, Evangelist Becky Udom spoke on the theme “September, My Month of Evidence”. She reminded the congregation that evidence of God’s presence is found in rest, urging women to keep their faith alive. Her words resonated deeply, reflecting the lived reality of women who have turned struggles into strength and challenges into opportunities for growth.
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The prayers, testimonies and songs that filled the hall were more than spiritual exercise; they were echoes of women’s contributions to 38 years of Akwa Ibom’s story. These women, mothers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and ministers, have been the silent backbone of progress, carrying both the weight of families and the aspirations of a people.
As Akwa Ibom marks its 38th year, the celebration is not only about political milestones or infrastructural achievements; it is also about the unseen hands of women, hands that have tilled the soil, nurtured futures and lifted the state in prayer. Indeed, when women rise in strength and unity, a state is not only sustained, it flourishes.
