Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor Recounts Narrow Escape from Tragic Church Collapse

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akon Eyakenyi, has revealed the harrowing details of how she narrowly escaped death during the collapse of the Reigners Bible International Church in Uyo seven years ago.

The tragic incident, which occurred on December 10, 2016, during the ordination of the senior pastor, Akan Weeks, resulted in numerous fatalities.

During the wedding ceremony of her daughter in Uyo on Saturday, Eyakenyi recounted the life-altering moment. She explained that she had stepped out of the church building mere seconds before its collapse to answer a phone call informing her that the then-governor, Udom Emmanuel, had paid her daughter’s school fees. This timely call saved her life.

“Blessing (my daughter) had another father and mother when she was growing up; and that is the immediate-past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, and his wife, Martha Udom Emmanuel,” Eyakenyi stated. “When she (Blessing) was doing her Master’s in the US, the then governor and his wife took Blessing from me and the training throughout that period was handled by the governor until she returned from the US; it was a great sacrifice.”

Reflecting on the fateful day, Eyakenyi said, “I stand a living person today because of that sacrifice that the former governor made. If you people remember 10th December 2016, the church collapsed. It was one of the school fees he paid that took me out of that church. Just a second later, the church collapsed. Where I sat, people were injured seriously, but God used him. I’m today alive, I thank you.”

Former Governor Udom Emmanuel also narrowly escaped the collapse, underscoring the gravity of the incident. Eyakenyi’s seat was one of the areas severely impacted by the structural failure, highlighting how close she came to being among the victims.

In her speech, Eyakenyi expressed profound gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for his support and for including her in his administration. “God has used the governor to be a great blessing to our family and to the children seated here today. I lack words to appreciate him. He knows that truly, truly I appreciate my governor for everything,” she said, adding, “I want to say thank you. May God bless you and your wife.”