Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno has asked Nigerians to return to agriculture in order to stem the current economic hardship experienced across the country, which according to him is aggravated by the longtime neglect of agriculture by individual citizens.
Eno stated that the state government is making plans to cushion the effect on citizens through the planned establishment of a Bulk Purchase Agency, as a short-term measure while affirming that a concerted and deliberate commitment to farming by everyone will enhance food sufficiency and prevent a recurrence of the economic crisis.
Addressing the leadership of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Government House, Uyo the governor noted that the solution to the current economic hardship is beyond trading blames, but that it requires a readjustment of lifestyles especially to accommodate farming, irrespective of the available size of land for an individual.
He acknowledged that the hardship is not an automatic occurrence but a result of long-time neglect of things that should have been done and the doing of things that shouldn’t have been done, stressing that it was time for everyone to return to farming.
He appealed to everyone to exercise more patience with the government and to continue to pray for leaders in different positions of authority as commanded in the holy book.
Governor Eno who is a pastor, welcomed and appreciated the leadership of the CCN for choosing Akwa Ibom for their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, and for honouring him as a Pillar of Ecumenism.
He noted that the award, especially being the first time it will be bestowed on anyone in the country, will motivate him to do more for the Christian community and urged them to continue to pray for the State and the country in general.
Earlier in his speech, the President, Most Rev Dr David Onuoha said the team was in the State for a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and deemed it necessary to visit the State Governor as a mark of respect especially because he was one of their own.
He noted that it was the first of such meetings for the year 2024 while revealing that the choice of Akwa Ibom was due to its peaceful, clean, serene environment as well as the availability of quality infrastructure, especially good road network.
Most Rev. Onuoha who is of the Anglican Church, congratulated Governor Umo Eno on his victories at the different levels of the court and lauded the Governor’s developmental efforts since his assumption of office eight months ago.
He said the Council was motivated to present excellence awards to performing Governors, beginning with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State as pillar of Ecumenism for his exemplary leadership.
He recalled with gratitude, the expression of empathy and support the government gave the families of Salvation Army members who lost their loved ones to an auto crash in 2023
He harped on the need for followers to show understanding with leaders and to continually pray for men in authority.
