By Solomon OKPO
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, led the state into the New Year with an Inter-Denominational Thanksgiving Service held at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo.
The well-attended service drew members of the State Executive Council, legislators, members of the judiciary, religious leaders, traditional rulers, socio-cultural and socio-political groups, political actors across party lines, and Christian faithful from across the state.
The thanksgiving featured sessions of praise and worship, dance, choir ministrations, and prayers for the state. The highlight of the service was a sermon delivered by the Senior Pastor of Eternity Network International, Apostle Dr. Joshua Selman, on the theme “The God of All Flesh,” anchored on Jeremiah 32:27 and Deuteronomy 8:14.
The message emphasised humility, accountability, and dependence on God in leadership and governance.
During the altar call for genuine repentance, Apostle Selman urged participants, particularly leaders, to align their personal conduct and public responsibilities with godly values as the state enters 2026. The call, he noted, was central to the purpose of the special thanksgiving and covenant service.
However, reactions from some observers at the service suggested concern that many political leaders and government officials did not respond to the altar call. According to one attendee, the refusal of leaders to publicly embrace repentance raised questions about readiness for meaningful change in governance.
The observer remarked that while ordinary citizens stepped forward, those entrusted with leadership appeared reluctant, stressing that “a state cannot thrive on the strength of God-fearing followers alone without God-fearing leaders who are willing to repent and lead rightly.”
The attendee further noted that the essence of the New Year Thanksgiving and Covenant Service was not ceremonial, but a spiritual reset, calling leaders to repentance and a renewed covenant with God for righteous leadership in 2026.
Despite the concerns, prayers were offered for divine guidance, mercy, and wisdom for the governor, his administration, and all leaders in the state, with participants expressing hope that the New Year would usher in deeper accountability, justice, and people-centred governance in Akwa Ibom State.
