The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has emphasised the need for stronger, sustained and more strategic collaboration between government and religious organisations, particularly the church, as a veritable vehicle for promoting rapid development, fostering peace and improving the overall welfare and living standards of residents across the state.
The Governor made the call on Tuesday, November 4, when he received the convener and initiator of the Christ Compassion to the Rural World Crusade, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, and members of his planning team who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, ahead of the forthcoming massive evangelistic outreach.
Governor Eno, who is himself a respected clergyman and the founder and General Overseer of All Nations Christian Ministry International with branches across Nigeria, said his administration fully appreciates and recognises the indispensable role played by the church and other faith-based organisations in nation building, moral regeneration, community mobilisation and socio-economic development.
According to the Governor, the task of governance and meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people is enormous and demanding, and no government, no matter how well intentioned, well resourced and committed, can single-handedly meet all the needs of its citizens without the active support and partnership of well-meaning institutions like the church.
He explained that the church, over the years, has consistently proven to be a dependable partner in development, especially in areas such as education, healthcare delivery, charity, humanitarian services, skills acquisition, moral instruction and the promotion of peaceful coexistence, which are all critical to the progress of any society.
Governor Eno particularly commended Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, who is the Senior Pastor and founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre, KICC, a global ministry with headquarters in London, United Kingdom, for considering and ultimately choosing Akwa Ibom State as the host for the forthcoming massive evangelistic and humanitarian outreach.
The Governor described the decision by Pastor Ashimolowo to bring the crusade to Akwa Ibom as a demonstration of genuine love, burden and passion for the people of the state, especially those in rural communities who are often underserved in terms of spiritual nourishment and access to quality healthcare and welfare support.
He noted that Akwa Ibom is a deeply religious state with a predominantly Christian population that holds strong faith values, and therefore welcomes with open arms and enthusiasm programmes, crusades and initiatives that seek to promote spiritual revival, physical well-being, social support and moral rebirth among the populace.
Governor Eno assured the visiting team that the Akwa Ibom State Government under his leadership is fully ready, willing and prepared to partner with churches, ministries, non-governmental organisations and public-spirited individuals who are committed and willing to contribute meaningfully to the development agenda of his administration and the state.
He particularly expressed profound appreciation for the humanitarian and compassionate component of the crusade, which according to him, aligns perfectly and seamlessly with the ARISE Agenda of his administration that prioritises healthcare delivery, food security, poverty alleviation, rural development and human capital development.
The Governor assured Pastor Ashimolowo and his entire team of the full support, maximum cooperation, hospitality and goodwill of the Akwa Ibom State Government, its agencies and its people towards the successful planning, organisation and hosting of the crusade scheduled to hold from November 23 to 28, 2026, across the state.
He also directed relevant government agencies, ministries and security agencies in the state to work closely and harmoniously with the organisers to ensure that all necessary logistics, security arrangements, medical support, accommodation and other forms of assistance are provided to make the programme a huge success and a memorable experience.
Speaking earlier during the visit, the convener of the Christ Compassion to the Rural World Crusade, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for the warm reception accorded him and his team, and for the willingness of the state government to partner with the church for the evangelistic outreach.
Pastor Ashimolowo explained that the Christ Compassion to the Rural World Crusade is a massive evangelistic, missionary and humanitarian outreach with a core mandate of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the most remote, unreached and underserved rural communities and hinterlands where the light of the gospel is limited.
He said the crusade is not just about spiritual revival, preaching, soul winning and church planting, but also about practically demonstrating the love, compassion and kindness of Christ through tangible humanitarian interventions that will directly impact, touch and transform the lives of thousands of people across the state.
Pastor Ashimolowo disclosed that the crusade will feature a comprehensive free medical outreach and interventions for thousands of residents, including surgeries for various eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and pterygium, as well as hernia operations, fibroid surgeries and other general medical consultations, diagnoses and treatments.
According to him, a formidable team of qualified and experienced medical doctors, consultant surgeons, ophthalmologists, gynaecologists, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals drawn from within and outside Nigeria have already been mobilised and will be on ground to provide free, qualitative and professional medical care to all beneficiaries.
He added that the medical outreach will also include free eye glasses, reading glasses, free drugs, laboratory tests, health education and referrals for more complex and critical cases to tertiary health institutions, with the overarching aim of restoring hope, health and dignity to many indigent and vulnerable people who cannot afford quality healthcare services.
Beyond the medical component, Pastor Ashimolowo said the crusade will also involve the massive distribution of essential food items and relief materials such as bags of rice, beans, garri, vegetable oil and other foodstuffs and palliatives to thousands of families, particularly the less privileged, widows, orphans and vulnerable groups in rural areas.
He noted that the current economic challenges, inflationary pressures and cost of living crisis in the country have made life extremely difficult for many families, and therefore the church has a divine responsibility and moral obligation to support government efforts in cushioning the effects of hardship on the people through welfare programmes and palliatives.
The renowned cleric and author of several inspirational books further stated that the spiritual and evangelistic goal of the programme is to win at least 25,000 souls for Christ during the six-day crusade, with evangelistic activities, door-to-door outreaches and follow-up discipleship programmes planned to reach all 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, adding that thousands of people are expected to benefit from both the spiritual and humanitarian activities lined up for the crusade.
