Following the demise of top leaders of the Salvation Army Church (CAC), in a ghastly motor accident, Akwa Ibom state government has expressed it readiness to take over the Salvation Army Secondary School (SASS), owned by the church at Akai Ubium in Nsit Ubium local government area, Governor Umo Bassey Eno has said.
Eno gave the indication on Sunday when he addressed the congregation at Akwa Ibom Southeast zonal headquarters of the church, where a commemorative service was held in honour of the departed members, who died June 29, in an auto crash at Ovia River Bridge, along the Lagos-Benin expressway on their way back from Lagos, where they attended the church officers’ council meeting.
The governor, on behalf of the government and people of the state, commiserated with the church and families of the fallen presbyters, who met their sad end in the ill – fated crash.
Eno said he visited with the full paraphernalia of government to show the value his administration places on it citizens, and as a last respect for those that were affected by the tragic incident.
He said: “We came here today to say to the church and families of those that lost their loved ones that it is well. We just came to say it is well. I have been told of stories of both parents going, I have been told of two sons from one family, and so many stories. But we came here as government and people of Akwa Ibom from across the state, represented by all the senatorial districts’ leaders to say to you please accept our sincere condolences.
“It is painful, and I find it difficult to do the work of consoler-in-chief in this circumstance, but I know that the holy spirit is the comforter-in-chief and the Holy Spirit will be made available to comfort you, the church and families of those that lost their dear ones.
“At times like this, we are short of words. We are just short of the right words to use, but let our coming here today speak to the fact that this government has human feeling. Let our coming here today speak to the fact that we care about our people wherever they are. Let our coming here today show that we have respect to the souls of those that have departed. I think that is the message that we have brought.
“That is why as a government, we have decided with all of us, the service commanders, all our people came in from Abuja just to be with you as a state, to show our sympathy, to show our solidarity and to show to you that you are not alone.”
The governor expressed delight on the array of personalities produced by the Salvation Army School, Akai Ubium, saying that government would upgrade the school with basic facilities.
