Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has threatened to withdraw the certificates of village heads for any acts of vandalism of government property committed in their domains.
The governor issued the warning during the State Government House Monthly Prayer Service held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, on Saturday.
He stressed that a village head who allows government property to be vandalised by hoodlums is of little use.
“Any village that we have government presence, and there is vandalism of government property in that village, we will withdraw the certificate of the village head,” he said.
“If a public school, well furnished with modern facilities by the government, could be conveniently vandalised by hoodlums in your locality, what is the usefulness of the village head there?” Eno asked.
He therefore directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, and the State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, to immediately convene a meeting with village heads to brief them accordingly.
The governor called on every Akwa Ibomite to be security-conscious and safeguard public property and the common wealth of the people.
On plans to provide mini water projects in each ward of the state, Gov. Eno said they will be handled by the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Committee and directed the committee to involve his personal assistants in all wards across the state.
Preaching on the theme “Unsearchable God,” drawn from Romans 11:33, the Presiding Bishop of Beautiful Gate Family Church, Rev. Bolaji Adeisrael, noted that God’s ways are mysterious but favourable to His children.
Rev. Adeisrael admonished Christians to keep trusting and obeying God and His words in order to experience His mysterious help and power to excel in life.
The prayer service, which featured inspirational praise, worship, choir ministrations, and prayers, was attended by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; members of the State Executive Council; political stalwarts; captains of industry; clergy; and other state government functionaries.