By Joseph Kingston, Calabar
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has explained why it embarked on a clean-up exercise in schools, hospitals, and court premises across Cross River state on Saturday with 380 members deliberately taking part in the exercise.
In a chat with reporters at Odukpani Local Government Education Authority premises, one of the places cleaned, the Calabar North Stake President, President Akwaowo Joseph Ekong, said the exercise was to commemorate the 16th edition of what he termed ‘Africa West Service Project.’
Ekong acknowledged the essence of the annual event and noted that its impact was being felt even beyond benefiting communities, and added “when people engage in service to humanity, they are ultimately in the service of God Almighty.
The Stake President said: “over 380 members participated in the project. I hereby appeal to communities, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to emulate the shining example of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This clean-up, by itself, could help to drastically reduce the menace of diseases.”
Also speaking, President Alex Nkoro of the Calabar Nigeria Stake, who also led members of his Stake out to the Customary Court in Egerton Street for the cleaning, clearing and excavation exercise, described the Africa West Service Project as one way God was using the Church to reach out and show love to humanity.
In his remarks, the Calabar South Stake President, President Samuel Ukoha, lauded members for coming out en masse for the exercise and admonished them to always express the virtues of love and service in everything they do.
The Akamkpa Stake President, President Ambrose Mbia Bawan, who was also actively involved in the annual event, noted that with the exercise, the importance of love and togetherness was being put to practice.
At the Calabar Women and Children Hospital, yet another location, a staff member, Mrs Nkoyo Ekong Essien, who spoke on behalf of management, commended the Church for the gesture and called on other groups and organizations to emulate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.