Governor Udom Emmanuel has led Akwa Ibom people in another session of the state’s yearly Solemn Assembly and Thanksgiving Service to usher the state into year 2023 and rededicate the state to God.

Speaking at the service, tagged “Go Forward”, held at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo, Emmanuel identified peace as God’s greatest blessing to the state during his tenure as governor.

This, he stressed, has been fundamental to all other achievements of his administration.

He said: “What God has done for us mostly is the peace we are enjoying in Akwa Ibom State, peace that passes human understanding that has brought development. It’s an oasis of peace and tranquility, drawing people from all over the nation to come here, live, invest and thrive. We will never sound boastful, but for everything we have, we give glory to God.”

He said it was important for the state to appreciate God for what He has done and encourage Him to do more, saying: “For the people to ‘Go Forward’, they need to know where they are, how they got there and then be confident that God will move them forward.

“As we have done in the preceding year, to hand over the state to the Almighty God, I want us to rededicate this state unto God.

“When we rededicate something to God, we are asking him to strengthen what He has done for us. Today, we are standing as a people telling God, strengthen that which you have done for Akwa Ibom State and God will do it for us in Jesus name.”

Guest Minister and General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, speaking on the theme “Go Forward”, taken from Exodus 14:15, said he was in the state as an oracle of God to proclaim to Akwa Ibom people to move forward, as God has no pleasure in backwardness or stagnation.

The cleric said God is constant and controls tomorrow and urged Akwa Ibom people to put their trust in God, assuring that as the state is rededicated to God, peace, joy and prosperity will reign in the state.