Create jobs and provide food, governor tells churches

Church leaders in Akwa Ibom State have been charged to implore followers to take to agriculture as a way of sustaining development through job creation.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, who gave the charge during a special prayer summit organised by the Dakada Ministers Forum in Uyo to herald the state’s 29th anniversary, said the era when believers were fed with Manna was over.

“Churches must rise to create jobs as the days of Manna have long past and the time is now for all to diversify into aggressive farming to ensure food sufficiency rather than dwell on the blame game.

“God knew that a time like this would come and has been benevolent to Akwa Ibom by blessing the state with rich natural endowment and human potentials which attest to the fact that right attitude and creative skills are needed to harness the natural resources for employment generation and wealth creation,” he stated.

The governor disclosed that he had contacted a German firm to partner the state on the out-growers’ scheme in order to buy produce at international price index, urging the people to venture into cooperatives so as to benefit from the scheme.

According to Emmanuel, arrangements had been concluded to import the best variety of corn seedling, adding that a United States-based firm, Musanto would undertake the shipment.

Earlier, Reverend Ntia Ntia said God raises men all seasons to salvage humanity.

He noted that the Creator positioned Joseph to rescue Egypt and Israel from famine, his travails notwithstanding.

He, therefore, thanked God for raising the governor to salvage the state.

The programme coordinator, Bishop Emma Isong, lauded Emmanuel for his efforts at attracting investors to the state.