African Church celebrates 125th anniversary, lauds Gov. Eno’s leadership strides in A’Ibom.

Tony Okoh, Uyo

African Church, founded on 13th October 1901, will begin its 2026 convention in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, today through Sunday to mark its 125 years of existence.

His Grace, Most Revd. Ime Brownson, Archbishop of the African Church, in a press conference held yesterday in uyo said the church.is celebrating aremarkable heritage of faith, resilience, sacrifice and service to God and humanity.

According to him, “The Church has grown over the years, establishing a presence across Nigeria and maintaining a commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, moral discipline, community development and the spiritual well-being of the people.

He highlighted that across Akwa Ibom State, the African Church has over 235 churches organised into three provinces: Uyo Province, Annang Province and Hallelujah Province.

He added”, Through our dioceses, clergy, church officers and members, we continue to contribute to the spiritual and social life of our communities. Our commitment remains to preach the Gospel, promote peace, encourage responsible citizenship and work with all stakeholders for the good of society.

The Archbishop averred that the theme of our 2026 Diocesan Convention is “Total recovery” drawn from 1 Samuel 30:18–19, which records how David recovered all that had been taken away by the Amalekites.

“This theme is not merely a subject for a religious gathering; it is a message of hope, restoration, renewal and renewed determination. It reminds us that a season of loss does not necessarily signify the end of the story and that, through faith, courage, wise leadership and collective action, individuals and communities can rise again from difficult circumstances.

He opined that while the Church provides spiritual guidance, moral instruction and humanitarian support, the government has the responsibility of providing public infrastructure, social services, security and an enabling environment for development, stressing that when these responsibilities are pursued with sincerity and accountability, the people stand to benefit.

He lauded Akwa Ibom governor Pastor Umo Eno’s administration’s strides in the
the areas of infrastructure, social welfare, healthcare, education, rural development and economic empowerment.

According to him, “Good road infrastructure has now formed arteries across the State with over 1500 kilometers of road already delivered, while others are at their various stages of completion. This is a demonstration of total recovery, and our people are the beneficiaries of it”.

He described clearance of pensions, gratuities and other entitlements owed to retired civil servants by the governor as a practical connection between public finance and the welfare of citizens, stressing that for people who have devoted years of service to the state, receiving their entitlements can mean relief from financial hardship, restored dignity and greater peace of mind

Other areas the Archbishop commended the governor include the milestones and achievements in the transformation of degraded, erosion-affected land that was a dead trap into a productive public space. The ARISE Palm Resort, investment in model primary schools, the development of model primary healthcare centres across the state.

He also acknowledged the construction and rehabilitation of roads linking several communities across the state.

According to him, “For rural residents, access roads are not simply construction projects; they are connections to markets, hospitals, schools, farms and other essential services.

Better roads can ease the movement of agricultural produce, support local businesses and improve access to opportunities. Continued attention to rural infrastructure is therefore essential to ensuring that development reaches communities beyond major urban centres.

He said the convention will provide the church the opportunity to once again serve the people the undiluted words of God, prayers, adoration, fasting and healing, urging the general public to participate in the activities marked for the event.

The Archbishop also said the church will use the opportunity of the convention to send forth three former bishops of the diocese who served meritoriously before he assumed leadership.

He said the church appreciates the emphasis on unity and peaceful coexistence in the state, including the message conveyed by the expression “Akwa Ibom United,” noting, however, that unity must be more than a slogan. ‘It must be reflected in mutual respect, fairness, inclusion, tolerance and a willingness to work across differences.

Government, religious institutions, traditional leaders, civil society, the media and citizens all have roles to play in sustaining peace.

“As a Church, we will continue to preach reconciliation, encourage peaceful conduct and remind our members that the pursuit of the common good must take precedence over unnecessary division.

“We believe that the progress of Akwa Ibom State requires the collective contributions of its people, irrespective of political affiliation, religious background, ethnic identity or social status. Our common identity and shared aspirations should provide the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous state”.