Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Ibaraki during the prayer service.
By Anietie Akpan
Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki has urged Akwa Ibom women to prioritize checking in on their family and loved ones, emphasizing the importance of compassion, love and empathy.
Lady Obareki who was speaking during the March edition of the monthly Women Prayer Programme which took place at the Government House Banquet Hall with the theme: ‘I Am More’, also encouraged them to be mindful of the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as Easter approaches.
In a press release made available to some newsmen on Thursday, March 27, by her Media Unit, the First Lady said, “I want to encourage you to take care of yourselves as we go into a new month. Look out for one another. This message just dropped in my mind to encourage everyone of us that even as we are engaged with activities, please check up on one another. Check on your neighbours, family members and friends. Even as you pray for them, you can send messages to check how they are doing.
“April is Easter month. So let’s be conscious of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and as we celebrate that, I pray that everything that is dead in your life will be resurrected as our Lord Jesus is resurrected in the Easter month,” she noted, advising them to leave the prayer meeting energized to do more and be more.
In an exhortation, Rev. Utibeno John-Udo highlighted the purpose of creation, underscoring that God endowed humans with unique abilities, designating them to reign supreme over all earthly creatures, rather than being subjugated by them.
A cross section of women at the prayer service.
Rev. John-Udo, who preached on the theme “I am More,” referred to Philippians 4:13, where the inspirational story of Gideon is told.
She noted that God personally called Gideon by name, revealing his purpose and destiny to him. In a call to action, encouraging the congregation to recalibrate their mindset and reconnect with their innate divine potential.
Rev. John-Udo urged them to explore their talents and abilities, unhindered by perceived limitations or incapacitations and to truly become “more”, she emphasized the importance of self-discovery, understanding one’s identity in Christ, and embracing the dominion mandate as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
The March prayers featured a special thanksgiving session by Wives of Commissioners and Special Advisers (COSAWA) who expressed gratitude to God for the appointment of their husbands into the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council by the Governor. They pledged their unwavering support to help their husbands succeed in their respective roles.
Additionally, women born in March united in thanksgiving to God and cut their birthday cake and also presented cash grants to randomly selected women in support of their businesses.
The service which was enriched by a performance by the Government House Choir and members of the Government House Praise Team, ended with an intercessory prayers for the Governor, Deputy Governor, the Coordinator Office of the First Lady, as well as various Ministries, Departments and Agencies within the State.
