GOV ENO, EX-GOV EMMANUEL EULOGIZE LATE NTUFAM IYAK,URGE CHRISTIANS TO EMULATE HIS VIRTUES
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel, were among dignitaries who attended the funeral ceremony of the Late Ntufam Elijah Iyak.
The emotional event was held at The Apostolic Church, Ikot Ekpene Field, Akwa Ibom Territory, Saturday.
Governor Eno who was flanked on the occasion by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, described Ntufam Iyak as a honest and sincere man who committed to any course he believed in.
He recounted how the deceased invested in the ‘Bö Enô Initiative’, a grassroots mobilization group that preceded last year’s Governorship election.
Reminiscing his encounter with the deceased from their early days in Lagos, the Governor noted his peaceful and humanitarian dispositions which he maintained throughout the years.
The Governor urged his family and others to emulate the beautiful lifestyle of Ntufam Iyak, assuring that he will always throw his support to the family in memory of their departed husband and father.
The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON, urged Christians, and indeed, all Nigerians, to continually embrace virtuous living in view of the unexplainable reality of life’s mystery.
In his quite emotional oration at the funeral service, the former Governor who was accompanied by his wife, Martha, reflected on the mystery of death on the one hand, and eulogised the sterling qualities of the late patriot who devoted his life to the service of humanity in his secular, professional, religious and political dealings, on the other hand.
“Udoeka, as he was fondly called, was a friend, a brother, a core loyalist, a hardworking and resourceful gentleman, a straight talker who said what he meant and meant what he said. He took his duties seriously and supported me all through my period of service to the state, …and his loss is one which I feel deeply,” Mr Udom Emmanuel noted.
The only Bible Reading at the service came from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and in his sermon, the Akwa Ibom State Territorial Chairman, Pastor E. O. Uye, preaching on the theme, “His Days had been appointed and no Man could Change it,” urged Christians to be of good conduct and maintain sublime faith in God who is the sole determiner of man’s existence on earth. He prayed for eternal repose of the soul of the deceased who contributed immensely to the development of the church.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pst Umo Eno led members of the State Executive Council to the funeral service which also had in attendance the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, legislators and well-wishers.