The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel cheated death on Saturday as the building of Reigners’ Bible Church Int’l Inc, along Uyo Village Road, Uyo, the state capital, collapsed during worship.
The governor was in the church for the ordination of the church’s Presiding Pastor, Bishop Elect Akan Weeks. CHECKPOINTCHARLEY understands that the building collapsed few minutes before offering time.
Emmanuel’s survival came at a price. One of his aides, who made sure he lived, die later of his injuries at a nearby clinic where he was rushed to.
Sources say many dignitaries, who accompanied the governor to the church, were among the casualties.
The head of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Etekamba Umoren, got badly bruised in the incident. He is now receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state.
Also the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerette Udoh was seriously injured.
Investigations reveal that construction works on a section where the ordination held were hastily done to make it ready for Saturday’s event. The church had an estimated 10,000-seater capacity.
The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced that a panel of enquiry would be set up to ascertain the immediate and remote factors that led to the disaster so as to forestall a re-occurrence.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary assured that persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building would be sanctioned.
It confirmed, ‘‘His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was present at the church service during the incident and thereafter personally supervised rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to the hospital. The state government will undertake the medical treatment of the victims.’’
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, condoled with the people of the state and expressed the deep sorrow of his family, the government and the entire people of Nigeria over the many deaths and injuries. He also congratulated Emmanuel, and his family on their lucky escape from the collapse of the building of the Reigners Bible Church, Uyo.
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