The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched its 2024 ‘Light the World’ outreach programme for Nigeria in Nsit Ubium local government area of Akwa Ibom State kicking off with the distribution of food Items to vulnerable families in the community across various villages in the area.
The event held at Qua Iboe Church Central School, Ikot Ubo, had 200 recipients, including widows, orphans, and their families, were provided with essential food supplies including rice, oil, garri, yam, noodles, beverages, onions, and other necessary items.
Elder Enefiok Ntem, the church representative, explained that the initiative aimed to enable members of the community to commemorate and acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ during the festive Christmas season, spreading His message of light and love through acts of charity.
Highlighting the importance of kindness and generosity as teachings of Jesus Christ, Elder Ntem said members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to consistently demonstrate their love and compassion towards their fellow community members, relatives, and neighbors each December through the programme.
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“The Savior, Jesus Christ, came into this world to bring relief, peace, and joy,” said Elder Ntem. “Because we want to emulate Him, we are encouraged to do all we can to lighten the burdens of others so that they may experience His peace.”
He continued, “We have different programmes that we use to touch the lives of various communities, one of which is the ‘Light the World’ outreach. We provide boreholes, renovate schools and hospitals, and supply equipment—anything we can do to assist people.
“We also have a designated place where we gather to learn skills, and we allow non-members of our church to participate in these skills acquisition programs. It is something we do with joy. The Lord has provided us with resources to bless others, so we extend this gesture to the community.”
Ntem added that the Light the World program would run throughout December, featuring a variety of daily activities for church members to engage in with their families and communities to honour the birth of Jesus Christ.
The event attracted traditional leaders, including HRH Etebom Ukpong Noah Etokakpan Udoewa, the Clan Head of Ubium Clan, as well as political figures, religious leaders, and local residents, all of whom were delighted to receive the donated items.
In their goodwill messages, a former deputy speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Thomson; Hon. Ntiense Bassey, a representative of the Nsit Ubium Council Chairman, and Eteidung Effiong Jimmy Essien, the Village Head of Ikot Ekwere-Ubium, expressed their appreciation for the church’s generosity, saying that the gifts would greatly benefit the recipients and their families during this festive season.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Elder Israel Elijah Udobre, a native of Oruk Anam local government area and a member of the Qua Iboe Church, expressed immense joy upon receiving the items, adding that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had truly exemplified the love and grace of Christ in their community.
