by Chukwudi George Ozalla
A warm morning sun fell on the Regina Caeli Parish Rectory in Uyo on Saturday as parishioners and dignitaries gathered to witness its blessing and official commissioning. The air was filled with prayers, hymns, and a sense of solemn celebration as President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, took the podium to address the congregation.
Akpabio declared that he has been transformed by the special grace of God, urging Nigerians to commit themselves to serving God in whatever position they hold in life. He described himself as “the most ranked Christian in government” and said divine intervention had prepared him for his leadership role.
Speaking to the crowd, Akpabio emphasized that God’s grace can elevate anyone. He noted that if God could raise him from obscurity to the position of Senate President, and by extension the number three citizen of Nigeria, the same blessings were possible for others who position themselves to receive them.
He also highlighted the significance of contributing to church projects, no matter how small. Akpabio said, “Anytime you contribute as little as 10 kobo to the construction of a church building project and it is completed and put to use, know that God has accepted your contributions. I am always excited to be part of the development of the church because nothing is too big for our God.”
Looking ahead, he announced plans to invite Nigerians from all walks of life to join in commissioning a new place of worship within the premises of the National Assembly in Abuja in the coming weeks.
The Catholic Bishop of Uyo, Most Rev John Ayah, thanked Akpabio and his wife, Dr Unoma Godswill Akpabio, for hosting Catholic bishops from across Nigeria in Ikot Ekpene last September and for honoring their invitation to commission the Rectory. He encouraged the Senate President to pay little attention to critics, noting that public scrutiny comes with the importance of his position.
