By Our Reporter
The twentieth edition of the All-Africa Service Project, an initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have come and gone but not without impacting communities, government agencies and surrounding environs.
The service project is a move by the Church to offer service to humanity
focusing on hygiene, sanitation and related issues.
Since inception, two decades ago, the Church has used this avenue to contribute to healthy and clean communities, strengthen relationships and invite many to live the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
On the 16th day of August, this year in commemoration of the service project, over 24 Stakes and four Districts of the Church domiciled in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States had members, friends, government officials and the traditional rulers partner to clean suburbs, government agencies and drainages among other sanitation exercises in line with the vision of the project.
In the Calabar Nigeria Coordinating Council comprising five stakes, attendance was unprecedented as members and friends of the church came out in their service vests to clean, paint capstones and clear drains at the Women and Children hospital, highway, Cross River Agric Development Programme premises, ADP, airport road, cleared bushes in the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, male and female hostels and Health Center, Ikot Ishie, Calabar Municipal.
Chief Effiong Duke a traditional ruler who participated in the exercise in Calabar commended the Church for the construction of a pedestrian walk way while Hon. Okokon Mkpanam of the Calabar Municipal Legislative Council said it was rare to see any Church cleaning projects they don’t own.
In Uyo Coordinating Council, members from the eight Stakes and one District embarked on numerous projects among which are training of women on soap making at Ibesikpo, installation of solar power in Idung Idiang, painting of the Ikot Ekwa village hall and maintenance of the road.
Prominent leaders who participated in the clean up exercise in Akwa Ibom State include Chiefs Edem Hilary and Aniefiok Udo, village heads who commended the Church for the work and Etedung Bassey Akpan, a Council member who promised to investigate the Church.
In like manner 12 Stakes and three Districts of the Port Harcourt South and North Coordinating Council trooped out to provide health care facilities, water pump machine, oxygen and paint the labor room among other efforts Amadi-Ama Community health center at Port Harcourt Nigeria Stake.
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Other projects undertaken were painting of 250 metres zeebra crossing on Harold Wilson drive, distribution of books and uniforms to UPE Primary School pupils in Port Harcourt South Stake
Additionally, the Church engaged in cleaning Rumuosi market, round about in Choba, Saint John Primary School, Port Harcourt Central, visited the motherless babies home, Onne, renovated an elderly widow’s apartment, donated food items and changed the roof on the house of another elderly man in Okirika.
In Yenegoa they carried out house to house sensitisation on malaria prevention in Otuasega community and donated insecticide treated nets to families with children of 0 – 5yrs.
Other projects executed by Port Harcourt South and North Coordinating Council were free medical outreach in Rumuolumeni, conducted acidity and blood pressure tests, provided glasses and eye drops and tablets for those with sight issues. Azikoro district chose cervical and prostate cancer campaign, Port Harcourt North tackled waste disposal, Bori Nigeria district cleaned Community School road, Onna, worked on road maintenance. Emuohuma stake cleared drains and premises of Emuohuma Council headquarters, harbour road, Abonnema zone and fixed the toilets at Ahoada modern Primary Health Centre.
Notable traditional rulers including the Paramount rulers of Omueke community in igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Chief John Ebum Nworlu Nyechi-Ali of Omueke, and his Royal Highness Eze Friday Oscar of Umuosi community participated in the programme.
Chief Nworlu expressed delight in the work of the Church stating “it is rare to find a Church carrying out this mission in Igwuruta… I have not seen anything like this before among all the Churches in my domain… this is my first time seeing this kind of sanitation happening and it is teaching me to worship God with cleanliness.”
On his part His Royal Highness Eze Friday Oscar said, “the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints has set a legacy in the community today…”
This initiative is indeed something to remember as it’s impact in enhancing clean environment and healthy living is indeed tremendous and worth sustaining.
