Survivors: Eno Etim (left) and Emem Akpanitiat at the St. Luke’s General Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State...on Sunday. Photos: Etim Ekpimah |
Specifically, one of the personal assistants to the governor on media, Mr. Aniekeme Finbarr, who spoke with CNN’s correspondent Becky Anderson, said the governor gave the order on Sunday.
“They should be made to answer certain questions so that the state would be able to get to the root cause of the matter,” the governor was quoted as saying.
The governor’s call came on the heels of a similar call by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for a probe of the disaster.
Some survivors of the church building collapse have also given a first-hand account of how the building collapsed on Saturday.
One of the survivors, Eno Etim, who spoke with Punch, on Sunday, said the building collapsed shortly after a lady was called to lead the praise worship.
Etim, who hails from Mbo Local Government Area of the state, said there was no foreboding of the monumental disaster that was waiting to happen.
The housewife, who spoke shortly before she was moved out of the St. Luke’s General Hospital, Annua, Uyo, to the University of UYO Teaching, Uyo, said the congregation was dancing when the church collapsed.
She said that she could not recall how she landed in the hospital, adding that an iron bar hit her at the back, sending her reeling on the floor before she passed out.
Explaining that she was not a member of the church, Etim said she had come to witness the ordination of the presiding pastor of the church, Akan Weeks, as a bishop, because they both belong to the United Intercessors Network.
She said, “I was inside the church. Everything was normal; there was no problem. A lady was called to lead the praise worship session; the governor came in shortly after that. As the praise worship was going on, the building fell and I didn’t know how I got here.
“The iron fell on my back forcing me to fall on the ground with my face down.
“I don’t worship in the church. I worship in the United Intercessors Network, which Bishop Akan Weeks also belong to. I don’t live in Uyo. I came all the way from Oron.”
Etim’s niece, Nkoyo Okon, said she was at home when someone called her and told her about Etim’s plight.
“I knew she went to the church. But she later called me on the phone to tell me she had been taken to Annua hospital. So, I had to rush down here. I’m grateful to God she is alive,” Okon said.
Another victim, 22-year-old Emen Akpanitiat, said the building came down when the congregation embarked on praise worship when the governor came in.
Akpanitiat, who hails from Ikot Mbonde in Itu LGA, said the church building collapsed while the congregation was dancing and singing preparatory to offering collection.
She said, “It was when the governor came and people started dancing. I’m in pains. The doctor said I’m going to be moved to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.”
from punch
“They should be made to answer certain questions so that the state would be able to get to the root cause of the matter,” the governor was quoted as saying.
The governor’s call came on the heels of a similar call by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for a probe of the disaster.
Some survivors of the church building collapse have also given a first-hand account of how the building collapsed on Saturday.
One of the survivors, Eno Etim, who spoke with Punch, on Sunday, said the building collapsed shortly after a lady was called to lead the praise worship.
Etim, who hails from Mbo Local Government Area of the state, said there was no foreboding of the monumental disaster that was waiting to happen.
The housewife, who spoke shortly before she was moved out of the St. Luke’s General Hospital, Annua, Uyo, to the University of UYO Teaching, Uyo, said the congregation was dancing when the church collapsed.
She said that she could not recall how she landed in the hospital, adding that an iron bar hit her at the back, sending her reeling on the floor before she passed out.
Explaining that she was not a member of the church, Etim said she had come to witness the ordination of the presiding pastor of the church, Akan Weeks, as a bishop, because they both belong to the United Intercessors Network.
She said, “I was inside the church. Everything was normal; there was no problem. A lady was called to lead the praise worship session; the governor came in shortly after that. As the praise worship was going on, the building fell and I didn’t know how I got here.
“The iron fell on my back forcing me to fall on the ground with my face down.
“I don’t worship in the church. I worship in the United Intercessors Network, which Bishop Akan Weeks also belong to. I don’t live in Uyo. I came all the way from Oron.”
Etim’s niece, Nkoyo Okon, said she was at home when someone called her and told her about Etim’s plight.
“I knew she went to the church. But she later called me on the phone to tell me she had been taken to Annua hospital. So, I had to rush down here. I’m grateful to God she is alive,” Okon said.
Another victim, 22-year-old Emen Akpanitiat, said the building came down when the congregation embarked on praise worship when the governor came in.
Akpanitiat, who hails from Ikot Mbonde in Itu LGA, said the church building collapsed while the congregation was dancing and singing preparatory to offering collection.
She said, “It was when the governor came and people started dancing. I’m in pains. The doctor said I’m going to be moved to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.”
from punch
I wish y'al quickest recovery
ReplyDeleteSuch tragedy, this end of year is getting serious with taking people. Quick recovery to all!!!
DeleteThe praise and worship with people singing in unison, pounding the floors to the loud beats of the instrument sent up strong vibrations that pulled down a building whose structural integrity was compromised! Why can't we do things right in this country?
DeleteUnyime u made sense
DeleteRiP to the dead
ReplyDeleteQuick recovery to those battling for their lives in the hospital.
This is not ordinary at all.
I agree ma'am
DeleteLooks like blood sacrifice to me.
ReplyDeleteBut what can i say.
Pastors, continue
This is so sad. May God intervene.
ReplyDeleteGovt should deal with the contractors very well. not like that TB Joshua incident that was swept under the carpet
ReplyDeleteArrest who?
ReplyDeleteYou are joke Udom.
You should be arresting Akan Weeks.
Who felt it was okay to gather that much crowd under an uncompleted building. In fact calling it uncompleted building is putting it mildly. It was just rods! Just heavy irons! With thin walls holding it up.
No central pillar. No nothing.
Of course the contractors weren't done with the building. But yet you chose to do your coronation under a barely sprung up building with just rods and a tent like covering on top.
I have been so damn angry since Saturday about this.
Akan Weeks should have done this at this old church or Ibom Hall or even rented canopies!
Nobody had any business doing anything under such pending doom of building! The contractors weren't done with building and I an bet my black ass that they may have suggested it to Akan nor to use that building. But trust Nigerians, "God forbid "
Then for Udom, all your security personnel should be sacked you dumb skull. As security personnel to the Governor let them tell us what they did about scanning the environment.
Scanning the environment does not entail going there just before your principal arrives to ensue no person hides there to commit havoc alone.
Since this was a construction site,
scanning the environment would include seeing what is being done days leading to the d-date. The quality of job that can
guarantee safety and security is part and parcel of what is expected of them to scan and ensure.
Now homes have been left fatherless,motherless,widows and widowers,orphans just because of a single man's coronation that he could have anywhere but a barely sprung up skeletal structure made of heavy wrought irons.
I am angry. I am so pained. I am so hurt.
Somebody must pay for this.
Uve said it all....
Delete1000 likes for this comment of yours
DeleteI agree with you olivia
DeleteGod bless u for such words of wisdom.
DeleteHmmm
DeleteDaaa..ku yat edit
It Is well.
@Galore
Quite an objective analysis. I couldn't agree less.
DeleteGod bless u, uve said it all👏🏼
DeleteGod bless u, uve said it all👏🏼
DeleteYour anger mirror the thoughts of many, it's well directed.
Delete100 likes.
DeleteSome contractors are greedy. They prefare to buy substandard materials.
ReplyDeleteThank God for their lives
ReplyDeleteOh Abasi....
ReplyDelete@Galore
The crane supporting the central column was removed in order to accommodate more people, and you expect the unfinished structure to withstand the resonance during praises? Hell no!
ReplyDeleteThe contractor, Church owner and Akwa ibom state agency responsible for inspection should be charged for gross negligence
I wish them all quick recovery. And may eternal rest be granted to the departed.
ReplyDeleteThe contracts has lots of questions to answer and their license should first be taken from them.
Hmmmmm
ReplyDeleteYes I really support the arrest of the contractors of this same church's project!
ReplyDeleteTo me though,there is no need arresting the contractors.. What will be will be,its just something one needs to be thankful about..though NP one prayed for such to happen but at the sane time we should all know that,nothing can stop wat Eva has bin predetermined to occur.
ReplyDeleteMc pinky
We are in your hands my Lord, do not forsake us. Protect me and my family. Church is not longer safe.
ReplyDeleteMay God heal them amen. Comfort the bereaved Amen
ReplyDeleteI pray Justice is served
ReplyDeleteAbout time and not only the contractor, also the GO of that church for gathering ppeople in an uncompleted building. Nonsense and ingredients
ReplyDeleteQuick recovery to them..
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteQuick recovery to all who are in the hospital. God knows best.
ReplyDeleteQuick recovery to them and may God console the families of the departed ones.
ReplyDeleteRip 2d innocent souls,i pray @ d tym death met dem,dey were right wit God.
ReplyDeleteIt won't change anything.. The did is already done
ReplyDelete*deed*
DeleteThe did is already done. hahahahahahahaha afi did naa
ReplyDeleteLol. See your teeth.
DeleteIt's so sad,what a black December for Nigeria💔💔💔
ReplyDelete