The serenity of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) on the hills of Obotme Iwerre came alive Sunday, June 4, 2023 as the Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Member Ini State Constituency Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey led family, friends, well-wishers, and PDP faithful to a Valedictory Thanksgiving Service to celebrate God’s faithfulness upon his life and family for the successful eight years of stewardship to the people of Ini. The event had as its theme “Sacrifices of Thanksgiving” drawn from Psalms 50:14.
The physically elated Hon. Bassey acknowledged the sovereignty and grace of God in his life and the peace and unity shown to him by his people.
He said that he was in the Church to thank God for what He has done for him, his family, and the people of Ini for the past eight years.
“It is good to returnto God for Thanksgiving, that is why I return to tell Him thank you for bringing me thus far” Hon. Bassey said.
In his appreciation and support to the Church for their prayers, the Ini Lawmaker donated a generating set and cash to the Church.
Earlier in his sermon, the Resident Pastor, Pastor Nnanna Kanu Ogbonnaya said that our love for God and the interest in His kingdom is not a gift, but a choice, that true lovers of God are ordained as living wonders.
At the reception at Iwerre Community Secondary School, friends, political associates, community leaders, Cleric, youth, women and elders described Hon. Bassey as the best Lawmaker Ini has ever produced.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, the Lawmaker thanked the people of Ini for standing by him over the years. He also thanked his family for their support and prayers that had seen him through. He described the journey as tough and good but said that God has always been faithful and doing everything he asked for.
Highlighting some of the achievements of his stewardship, the lawmaker thanked God for giving him the wisdom to facilitate some projects in the area.
According to him, critical infrastructure such as road, coppers’ lodge, school perimeter fence, and markets are some of the lofty projects he has facilitated in his constituency. He also listed many of his human capital development achievements which include; business grants worth millions of Naira, training of constituents on skills acquisition and donation of tools, donation of plots of lands, cars, motorcycles, educational supports to students and many other supports to his constituents to ameliorate their sufferings.
Hon. Bassey took time to narrate how he started his political journey that brought him to the present office.
The lawmaker emphasized that he was able to do all he did because of the overwhelming support from his former Boss, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, specifically, for constructing the Ikpe Ikot Nkon-Iwerre-Arochukwu to ameliorate the suffering of the people of the area.
He used the occasion and solicited massive and greater support for the Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno.
He also enjoined all to support the incoming house of assembly member for Ini state constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide to enable him succeed.
Highpoint of the event was the empowerment of 100 women in the community.
Dignitaries who graced the event include the International President of Maintain Peace Movement, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, the Executive Chairman of Ini LGA, Rt. Hon. Elder Israel Idaisin, member-elect for Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide, member-elect for Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, Immediate Past Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and former Chairman of Etinan LGA, Isantim Keneth Okon, Executive Chairman of Ikono LGA, Hon. Nyakno Okoibu, former member representing Ikono State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia, Mr. Edmund Uffang, Prince Attah, Chapter Chairman of Ini, Mr. Emmanuel Umah, Immediate past SSA to the former Governor on grassroot mobilisation, Hon. Inibehe Umah, Political Leader of Iwerre, Barr. Essien Essien, immediate past SA to the former Governor on Projects, Mr. Charles Udofia, the Clan Head of Ikono, High Highess, Etebom Okon Udo Ekpo, the Clan Head of Iwerre, His Highness, Chief Friday Ekikor, political class, elders, women and youths.
