The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has renewed calls of social responsibility of the citizenry as panacea for nation building expressing optimism that Nigeria despite its trying times can recover from its challenges.
He said the task of building the country should not be left for Government alone, hence the need for all to collectively join in the duty to rescue the country from its present condition.
Governor Emmanuel made the call on Friday, in Abak, during the burial of late Deaconess Mercy John Umanah, mother of Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Member Representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Dr. Uwemedimoh Umanah, Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects Monitoring.
The Governor noted that despite the trying moments in the country, all hope should not be lost as God will turn things around, adding that all citizens should wake up to their responsibilities.
“I want to encourage Nigerians that all hope is not lost, we shouldn’t lose hope in our country, it’s a trying moment.
“As a nation we have made mistakes here and there in the past years, but I know God has interest in Nigeria and at the end of the day it’s God’s definite council that will stand.
While noting that everyone has a role to play, in the Nigeria project, Mr Emmanuel pointed out that, for development to thrive in the country everyone should protect government facilities, and preserve infrastructure of government.
“It is only in Africa that as government you fix a transformer that every common person can benefit from, but some people will go and vandalize that transformer.
“It is only in Africa especially in Nigeria that you fix electric cable between Abak to Ika Local Government when you wake up all the electric cables are gone. That’s not government to be blamed, we also have to blame ourselves and our communities, that we also contribute to the problems that we are going through.
The governor in his condolence message to the bereaved family prayed God to grant the John Umanah’s family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
“We are here in deepest sympathy, there is no best time of losing a loved one so it is always sad and unfortunate at anytime that you lose a loved one especially a caring mother”.
Governor Emmanuel acknowledged the services of late Madam Mercy Umanah who served as a senior nursing officer at various health facilities in the country.
He acknowledged some of his administration’s interventions at the Mercy Hospital, venue of the funeral ceremony, and said his government would further equip the Mercy Hospital as a memorial for the contributions of Deaconess Mercy Umanah to the state health sector.
“I know we promised to revamp ten hospitals to reflect one per federal constituency, but I won’t mind if we do more than that number”, he said.
He further hinted that the the ongoing remodeling of nearby Ikot Ekpene General Hospital will come with a well equipped training facility to serve as training base for nurses.
Delivering a condolence message, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, represented by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu described Late Deaconess Mercy Umanah as an astute medical practitioner who affected the lives of persons she came across and contributed significantly to the nursing profession.
Gbajabiamila, acknowledged the sacrifices made by Deaconess Umanah pointing out that her tutelage has raised prominent children including a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, adding that she will be greatly missed by family and entire nursing profession.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Member Representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, son of the deceased, in a vote of thanks thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for supporting them pay the last respect to their mother, and thanked Members of the House of Representatives who attended the event, praying God to reward their labour of love.
In his homily, the General Superintendent of Qua Iboe Church Nigeria, Rev. Ekpedeme Effanga who spoke on the parable of talents, culled his text from Matt: 14- 27, urged Christians to invest their resources in productive ventures that will create wealth and value chain in the society.
The clergy described the deceased as an illustrious woman who invested her lifetime in humanitarian services and work in the vineyard of God, calling on believers to make their life count on earth.