Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom will, on Sunday, May 28, commission the Akwa Ibom State International Worship Centre.
According to the state government, the construction of the 5,000-capacity international Worship Centre has gulped a total of N32.3 billion.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch E. Adeboye, yesterday laid the foundation of the building in January 2018.
Sharing photos of the building on his Twitter page, Richard Okon, an aide to the governor, stated:
“Finishing touches on landscaping and final fittings are currently ongoing.”
He added:
“On the same date of commissioning, the magnificent chapel will host a valedictory service at the instance of the outgoing Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.”
Findings by a local newspaper indicate that the amount used for the project can provide a multi-million naira business start-up for 3000 Akwa Ibom persons.
Enraged Nigerians reacting to Okon’s post on Twitter criticized the governor for embarking on the project.
Wemimo Adewuni, an event host, wrote:
“Your leaders build “Worship Centers” so that you can continue to beg God to do what these empty skulls we’re elected to do WITH STATE FUNDS!”
Isi Miyake, a relationship counsellor, wrote:
“This is very foolish. What’s the governor’s business in building a church?”
Godwin Asuquo wrote:
“There are two stadia in the state capital, excluding other township stadiums. I think every governor wants a white elephant project to their name; if not, we could use any of those stadiums for whatever worship events this one is trying to solve. Total waste of N32 billion.”
Bushido Brown wrote:
“Nigeria has a spending problem, leaders with no vision, no idea of how to use the resources they have been blessed with. White Elephants projects everywhere.”
A digital entrepreneur, Kingsley Ibietela wrote:
“Worship centre? See as e fine. Let’s see the schools and hospitals.”
Defending the project, Okon wrote:
“Worship center can still generate revenue in many ways than one. Even religious tourism.”