Governor Eno Declares September Month of Gratitude, Announces Commissioning of 39 Projects

Governor Eno Declares September Month of Gratitude, Announces Commissioning of 39 Projects

…Says President Tinubu Expected in Akwa Ibom to Commission Projects as State Marks 39th Anniversary; Announces Thanksgiving, Christmas Carol

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared September 2026 a Month of Gratitude, calling on the people of the state to unite in thanksgiving to God as Akwa Ibom prepares to celebrate its 39th anniversary.

The Governor also announced the commissioning of 39 projects across the state as part of the 39th anniversary activities, while disclosing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to pay an official visit to the state to commission some of the projects executed by his administration.

Governor Eno made these declarations on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the Victory Thanksgiving Service marking the end of the 2026 Discovery Convention of the All Nations Christian Ministry International, popularly known as The Lord’s Kitchen.

Speaking at the service, Governor Eno expressed gratitude to God, the clergy and members of the ministry for their steadfast support and commitment to the vision of the church.
He described the members as his “heroes,” thanking them for believing in the All Nations vision and for giving him the privilege of leading them. He also appreciated stakeholders and other supporters for their consistent support for the church and his administration.

Governor Eno, who urged the people of the state to use September to reflect on God’s faithfulness to the state and join hands in thanksgiving, also disclosed that the 39th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service would hold on September 20 at the International Christian Worship Centre.

He added that a State Banquet to mark the anniversary would take place on September 23 at the new banquet hall of ARISE Palm Resort, providing an evening of gratitude and celebration.

On the anticipated presidential visit, Governor Eno said the state was looking forward to an official visit by President Tinubu, who is expected to commission some of the projects delivered by his administration. He said the visit would add significance to the 39th anniversary celebrations and called on the people to pray for a successful visit.

The Governor also announced that the 2026 Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol would hold on Friday, December 18, with the theme, “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men,” taken from Luke 2:14.
He explained that participating choirs would be selected through a pitching portal, adding that Harmonic Voices had already been prequalified.

Thanking the dignitaries and guests for their presence at the Victory Thanksgiving, Governor Eno noted that their participation had transformed what was initially a church programme into a state service. He prayed that everyone would return home with abundant blessings.

Ministering at the service, Pastor Simeon Afolabi, who took his text from 1 Corinthians 7:23, spoke on the theme, “Bought With a Price.” Pastor Afolabi said Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary should transform the life of every believer, urging Christians to recognise themselves as God’s valued investments and to live without fear.

He encouraged believers to surrender their lives to divine direction and draw their self-worth from their relationship with God, stressing that those who have God on their side have no reason to fear or feel defeated.

The service, which ended with prayers for Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, the government, the people and the Church, was attended by prominent political, religious and community leaders, including the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; wife of the Senate President, Dr. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio; Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki; Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong; the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, Aniefiok Johnson, serving and former senators, top officials ; and other spiritual and temporal leaders.

The gathering brought the 2026 Discovery Convention to a close and set the tone for Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary celebrations, with thanksgiving, the commissioning of 39 projects and the anticipated presidential visit featuring prominently in the programme.