Education has been described as the life wire of any nation desirous of development, growth, and progress, and leaders at all levels of governance have been urged to prioritise it for the benefit of the people.
The remarks were made by the immediate past chairman of the Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Israel Idaisin, during a Thanksgiving service, a Carol of Nine Lessons, and a musical concert held on Sunday to thank God for a successful tenure in office and celebration of the Christmas festival.
Addressing the dignitaries, clergymen, and people at the event, the former council chairman urged youths to embrace education to enable them to have a big chance to make a difference in their lives and society at large.
He averred, “I took it as a challenge to establish a primary school in my community, which hitherto had none, thereby forcing young children to trek for several kilometres daily in search of basic education.
“The school is free for all, and I still pay the teachers with my resources while awaiting government officials to take over the school. That is one of my commitments because of the importance I attach to education. I also encourage our people in tertiary institutions through the periodic payment of a bursary.”
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While thanking God for a successful tenure as council chairman after two terms in office, Idaisin said he did his best to deliver dividends of democracy across the length and breadth of his council area and was always conscious of his actions to avoid being disgraced out of office.
“I did my best in office, as I see my elevation as divine; whatever has a beginning must have an end. My greatest fear was not to be disgraced out of office as chairman, and I thank Almighty God that I have landed well.
The immediate past chairman also said that the 2023 edition of the Carol of Nine Lessons is to usher in a period of sober reflection of God’s mercies and blessings upon our lives through hymns and songs of praise and thanksgiving as symbolised in the Carol of Nine Lessons.
He highlighted, “We gathered here for a sober reflection of God’s blessing upon our lives; the Lord shall bless us with open heavens; the impossibility shall be made possible, for the Bible says, ‘I know the thoughts that I have for you; they are thoughts of good and not evil, that it might take you to an expected end”.
In his exhortation, the Methodist Archbishop of Port Harcourt, Most Rev. Emmanuel Udofia, charged politicians and leaders to show exemplary leadership, which will ensure that their activities outlive their earthly sojourn.
He extolled the sterling leadership qualities of Hon. Israel Idaisin, describing him as a goal-getter and a grassroots leader with a fear of God, stressing that his era has witnessed unprecedented peace in his area as chairman of the once hostile area.
Reading Luke 1:26–33, the Archbishop recalled the sequences surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ and how his birth has brought salvation to mankind, adding that Christians must worship God in truth and spirit.
The event, which witnessed several Christmas Carol renditions by the choir, also had a fundraiser for the new church hall, to which several dignitaries donated generously.
Some prominent Nigerians at the event include the Member representing Ikono/Ini in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong Udoh, Honorary Special Adviser to Akwa Ibom Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Bassey Ekpenyong, former Chairmen of the Council, the Clergymen, captains of industry, and people from all walks of life.
