The three-day fast breaking interdenominational church service declared by Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, has been described as “a wise step in the right direction” and “a humble beginning” of his new administration.

In his exhortation on the third and last day of the service, with the theme: “I will be with you as I was with Moses”, taken from Joshua I:5, Prelate Isaiah Isong, remarked that “Gov. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has taken a wise step in organising this service,” adding: “it was a divine direction.”

Prelate Isong praised the erstwhile governor Godswill Obot Akpabio, for his unprecedented achievements in the state, noting: “Chief Godswill Akpabio graciously handed over 1.6 million people in Akwa Ibom State to you, so you are leading a greater number of people, even more than the Biblical Moses, who led 1 million people.”

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, was the one that saved the Nigerian nation from calamity and imminent collapse”, the clergy man stated, describing the party as “the divine PDP.”

In his remarks, Gov Udom Gabriel Emmanuel poured encomium on his “mentor, political god-father, uncommon sponsor and predecessor, Chief (Dr) Godswill Akpabio (CON), for his uncommon leadership and achievements for the people of Akwa Abasi Ibom State, in the past 8 years.”

Governor Emmanuel warned those he called enemies and detractors of the state to steer clear, as they would be consumed by “the divine fire, because God is equally a consuming fire,” as the governor also enjoined the journalists in the state to “stop insulting the leaders in their publications, otherwise they would face the consequences of their wicked deeds.”

The governor, who was full with emotion, stressed, “The young men and the young women must imbibe the habits of respect to their elders and leaders”, and commended the people for the massive attendance at the special service.

Highlights of the service included praises to God, song ministrations, special prayer session led personally by the governor, on the new state government, its citizens, massive industrial developments and the nation as a whole. He drew his prayer points from Psalm 80:3, and Psalm 7:9 respectively.

Some prominent personalities at the service included the wife of the Governor, Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel, the former Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and wife, Ekaette, the new Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, former Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, former and first indigenous military Governor of the state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Speaker of the out-going House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, the state acting Chief Judge, Justice Steven Okon, ex-Senators Emmanuel Ibot Essien and Effiong Bob, as well as out-gone commissioners, among others.

News Express reports that Governor Emmanuel had declared, during his swearing-in ceremony at the newly renamed Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, venue of the historic event last Friday, May 29, 2015, that a 3-day fast breaking be observed at the ultra-modern State Banquet Hall ground, Uyo, commencing from Monday, June 1, 2015, to Wednesday, June 3, 2015, from 6p.m. to 7p.m. daily.

Over 7,000 worshippers attended the special fast breaking service on its last day, yesterday evening.

•Photo shows Emmanuel

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