MCN, UKANA IKOT IDEH: ENDEARING WORSHIP CENTRE
By Israel Umoh
The uncommon transformation policy of Akpabio administration in Akwa Ibom State has broken new bounds particularly in the church development. For instance, the administration has built and inaugurated St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, Ukana Ikot Ntuen and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, among others. In addition, different churches in the state and beyond have greatly enjoyed financial lifeline from the administration. The recent beneficiary is Methodist Church Nigeria, Ukana Ikot Ideh in Essien Udim Local Government Area which today boasts of a state-of-the-art church building.
Before now, the church had undergone a lot of metamorphosis. Established in 1915, some indigenes of the village who used to worship in Onuk Ikot Ngwo saw the need to bring the church nearer home. Rev. W. T. Grooves, a missionary pioneered the growth. The members re-built the church in 1928 and 1975 respectively to keep in tune with the vision and spirit of the founding members. In 2014, the members envisioned the need to expand the church in line with the rapid development vis a vis the excellent road network in the area. Therefore, the successful completion of the church signposts the determination of the villagers and passion of Akpabio administration towards development in the state. The provision of exotic worship centres, no doubt, is a big stride in enhancing the spiritual, emotional and mental well-being of the members.
For example, the Bible accounts that the completion of the broken walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah brought about Jewish reformation. When King Solomon completed temple for God, the Lord appeared and reiterated Davidic covenant (establishment of the throne of King David upon Israel) and undying revival to the people. Building a house for God brings incredible blessings to the people who altruistically contribute to it with such names stencilled in the annals of human history.
In fact, the inauguration of Methodist Church at Ukana Ikot Ideh on Sunday, April 19, this year by Governor Godswill Akpabio is unique in a way. Apart from enhancing the spiritual tourism of the area, the church will host Diocesan and Synod activities to engender more blessings to people in the area and the environs. The imposing edifice serves as a strong evangelism tool, thus engendering numerical strength of the church. It will open the remotely known area to many visitors who would throng to catch a glimpse of the building.
In a way, the building is an architectural delight to behold. The crux of the design hinged on simple inter-related easy flowing functional space flow-a crowned cross-line ground floor plan. Relieved on the first with tiered sitting arrangement and two visiting choir seating. At the entrance foyer are two winding staircases leading to the first floor on either side. There are also two inner staircases behind the main choir and elders sitting positions.
On the ground floor entrance, there are choir robes store and VIP conveniences. The entrance Lobby opens into the main church auditorium which has well-out verandahs with steps and ramps for the disabled to access the church for services on either side. In the Methodist tradition, the semi-circular area of the pulpit has an eye-catching two split level marble finish-floor to ceiling. On the right wing of the church are vestries for Knights and Elders with conveniences, while on the left wing are vestries for Bishop and ministers.
On the first floor is a communication studio strategically located at the centre with state-of-the-art equipment that would enhance sound and video output. Flanked on either side are Minister in-charge office to the left and Steward’s office to the right. The first floor has tiered floor sitting that flows to the galleries abutting the two-number Prayer suites to the right and a futuristic office space and balcony for a Bishop to the left. The church also has a stand-by plant, public toilets and a gate house. The landscape crowns the entire environment with blissful, endearing setting.
Arc. Obot Udoette, who handled the architectural design and construction of the church, remarked ‘’The church was conceived as an architectonic voyage, an ineluctable product of tomorrow’s vision of a blissful worship centre. It is a place where beauty and harmony generate great benefit to one’s mental, emotional and spiritual health. Conceptually, the church is a monumental attempt at re-invigorating right attitude and clear vision to the development trappings of Godswill Akpabio’s uncommon transformation. It sets to complement the great strides in the government’s massive road network layout through Ukana Ikot Ideh and its environs’’.
The Rev. Utitekong Usoro, the priest in-charge of Methodist Church Nigeria, Ukana Ikot Ideh who was transferred to the church four years ago was too excited about the imposing edifice. ‘’When I was posted to the church, there was an old building. Through the assistance of Sir Etekamba Umoren, the old structure was demolished and a new one was put up.
‘’The present church looks like an auditorium. Every facility in the church was imported. From the tiered pulpit, galleries, tiered floor to auditorium, the church will encourage spiritual growth as many people will surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. The building of the church has also boosted economy of the village as many people now have money to buy cars, motor cycles and build houses’’, the minister stated.
He admonished worshippers to allow their character and conduct reflect the life of Jesus Christ, stating ‘’I want my members to do away with things that can corrupt their lives’’.
Elder Udeme Umoren, a steward in the church said ‘’Prior to now, we were in a church built by our parents. The roof leaked owing to age. But the present one is an architectural masterpiece that would not need to be renovated in the next 20 years. On added value to the church, Umoren noted ‘’The church will bring economic transformation and physical development to the area. A lot of people from Ukana Ikot Ideh have richly benefited from the project.
On the spiritual growth, Umoren said ‘’There is a likelihood of tremendous growth resulting from worshipping in a befitting place. Last week, five persons from the neighbouring communities joined the church as members. We will soon host Diocesan activities and later we will be allowed to host Synod to bring about more blessings to the people. Let me thank Governor Akpabio for his magnanimous gesture’’.
The church presents a new chapter in the New Testament era. The inauguration evokes a feeling of nostalgia, vista of hope and spiritual rebirth among the members. Behold, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ukana Ikot Ideh, an endearing worship centre!
*Umoh writes from Uyo