Testimonies, Encomiums Overflow As Akwa Ibom NDDC Rep. Apostle Nkono, Held Thanksgiving

Testimonies and encomium overflowed on Sunday in Akwa Ibom State as the Representative of Akwa Ibom State on the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, held a thanksgiving service to honour God for his mercies, grace and overwhelming love upon him and family.

The service held at Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church, 1 Mount Zion Road, off Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was underlined by copious tributes about the celebrant’s steadfastness, godliness, loyalty, humility and integrity.

Speaking at the reception event held in Uyo, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the celebrant is the epitome of godliness, loyalty, sincerity and humility, and urged him to see his current portfolio as a stepping stone for higher responsibilities in the country.

Acknowledging that Apostle Nkono’s ilk is rare, the Senate President prayed for his continued success in life, saying, “For going down on your knees to pray, may the heavens and God Almighty elevate you beyond expectations.”

Akpabio congratulated the celebrant and members of his family on the successful Thanksgiving.

Speaking further, he urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to collaborate and support the governors of the region to promote the development of the Niger Delta, emphasising the need for seamless development in the region through collective efforts.

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He mentioned the importance of supporting Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, saying, “NDDC should support Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State. This governor is doing very well, especially in uniting the state.

“Not only him, but all the governors of the region so we can have seamless development in the region.”

The Senate President’s call for cooperation and synergy among regional leaders highlights the significance of working together to achieve progress in the Niger Delta.

“NDDC is about projects. You cannot execute projects without proper consultations, especially with governors of the state in which such a project is being delivered“, he said.

He however said as a party man, he was interested in the seat of Pastor Umo Eno who was of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, praised Apostle Nkono’s humility, loyalty, and godliness, saying such an attitude could not have gone unnoticed and unrewarded.

Gov Eno, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, stressed that “humility, loyalty and godliness pay” adding that God has been glorified for uplifting Apostle Nkono.

“You are one detribalized individual that would bring goodies to the state. We do not discriminate as administrators here in the state.

“You can see that there is no dichotomy on whether one is of the All Progressives Congress, APC, or the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The goal of the governor is to build a state on the foundation of unity” he added.

Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, hailed the celebrant for always being an undaunted ambassador of the Christian faith.

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He said the celebrant was on his way to heaven.

“Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono is on his way to heaven. That’s a true reflection of his character. The apostle has given a very good account of himself.

“I felt the presence of God here, and I will be worshipping here anytime I am in Uyo,” he declared.

The NDDC MD further appealed to the Church to always intercede for the nation, not only for Apostle Nkono whom he said has been thoroughly polished by the Church.

“The prayers of this church are not only for Apostle but for all of us at the Board. By extension, the prayers are keeping the board and the people of the Niger Delta together and in peace.

“There is a testimony waiting to be unveiled in the Niger Delta so that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President would manifest great development in our region.”

Chief Ogbuku called for synergy among the various stakeholders in the region to facilitate the even distribution of tangible development projects that would propel prosperity.

Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, lauded Governor Umo Eno for mobilizing the people of Akwa Ibom State to receive the President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio, the previous day.

Ekpo emphasized the importance of thanksgiving, drawing inspiration from the biblical story of the ten people healed by Jesus, where only one returned to express gratitude.

Thanking God for the celebrant, the Minister stressed that Apostle Nkono was an embodiment of true Christianity who has lived a Christ-like life and demonstrated a deep knowledge of God’s love and ways.

Other speakers equally appreciated the principles exemplified by Apostle Nkono and prayed to God to fulfil all his plans in his life.

Apostle Nkono, on his part, celebrated God’s faithfulness and lauded the President of the Senate, for yielding himself for God to use in turning things around in his life.

Narrating how he met Sen. Akpabio through prophetic utterance, Hon. Nkono said, “I went for a tarry night at the Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church sometime in 2006. A prophet told me that in 21 days, I will meet a man who will change my life forever.

“It so happened that at exactly 21 days, as I was working at a café in Uyo, someone gave me a call telling me that he wanted to introduce me to a commissioner, who was then Barr Godswill Obot Akpabio.”

“You have touched the lives of people and because of the impacts you’ve made in the lives of people, you are being blessed every second of the day. I have gone through a lot, but because of you, people have started respecting me.

“Loyalty pays. I will do everything within my power to make sure you don’t regret appointing me to NDDC. I shall remain loyal and serve to the best of my abilities.”

While expressing his gratitude to God for all His blessings upon him and his family, Apostle Nkono identified three distinguished personalities in his life, who by divine ordination caused him to have a breakthrough in life.

According to him, the Almighty God, Chief Godswill Akpabio and his wife are the masterminds of his success in life.

He took time to narrate his travails in life and how God used a prophet to link him up with the President of the Senate.

Thanking God for Chief Akpabio, the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives, for nominating and approving his appointment to the NDDC Board, Nkono lauded Gov Umo Eno, members of the state executive Council, as well as the Chairman, MD and Board Members of the NDDC for identifying with him.

Meanwhile, the presiding Bishop of the Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel, Nung Oku Assembly, Bishop Joseph G. Ekwere, who preached on the theme, “Akpabio: A Man After God’s Heart”, drawing strength from Genesis 35:1-7; Psalms 30: 11-12 and Acts 13:22, explained that the distress of life may come, but that God would always make provision for man to be lifted.

Identifying Senator Godswill Akpabio as having mastered the act of benevolence, the cleric enjoined leaders to always give helping hands so that the downtrodden would also have a cause to smile.

The event was also attended by members of the political class, including the Akwa Ibom State deputy governor, Dr Akon Eyakenyi, who was represented by a director, Mr Victor Umium; Senator Aniekan Bassey, other Senators and House of Representatives members within and outside the state, Executive Director of Projects in NDDC, Sir Victor Antai; NDDC State Reps, members of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council and member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Hon.Prince Ukpong Akpabio.

Others were Chairman, Eket Local Government Council, Hon. Akan Tommey; Akwa Ibom State Local Govt & Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Frank Archibong, Paramount of Eket LGA, HRM Obong Dr. E.C.D. Abia & wife, Akwa Ibom State SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah, Akwa Ibom State APC Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, Rt. Usoro Akpanusoh, Rt.Hon. Aniekan Akpan, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, Former NDDC MD, Sir Bassey Dan Abia; Former Commissioners of NDDC; Rt.Hon. Okpolump Etteh, Sir Emem Akpabio, Hon. Emmanuel Udosen and a host of other dignitaries.