Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints marks annual service project, clean up govt facilities, neighbourhoods, suburbs, others
By Our Reporter
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The 20th edition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual clean-up exercise, tagged “The All Africa Service Project”, held on Saturday, 16th August 2025, with massive participation by members, Community leaders, Government officials and friends of the Church.
Communities, government agencies and businesses had the rare privilege of enjoying the benefits of a clean and healthy environment.
The initiative affords Church members and friends the opportunity to collectively give service in cleaning public facilities, suburbs, and thereby bring about a positive impact on the environment.
A letter of reminder from the Church to its members recently charged them to prepare and participate in what it acknowledged as a wonderful opportunity to serve and strengthen communities, stressing that, “This is a chance to unite in love and discipleship as we follow the Saviour’s example by lifting those in need.”
It called on members to “Come together in the spirit of unity and charity, demonstrating the love of Christ through our actions,” noting, “Your efforts, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference.”
Quoting Mosiah 2:17, a scripture from the book of Mormon, the letter said, “When you are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of God.”
Participants trooped out in their numbers wearing the service vests to already chosen sites to observe the exercise.
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Area Seventy, Elder Victor Bassey, who participated in the clean-up exercise, registered his impression on the project, saying that, “Living the gospel of Jesus Christ is the best way to preach it to others,” emphasising that, “To serve others is a good way to live the gospel.”
Whereas Wards in the Calabar Tinapa Stake worked separately in sites selected by them individually, Wards in the Akamkpa Nigeria stake, Calabar Nigeria stake, Calabar Nigeria South stake, and Calabar Nigeria Eta-Agbor Stake work collectively as stakes under their respective stake Presidents.
The Calabar, Nigeria, Tinapa Stake President, Akwaowo Joseph Ekong, while visiting the sites, commended the commitment of members and friends of the Church for the impressive turnout and reiterated the importance of service in helping to meet the needs of the people.
President Alex Nkoro, President of the Calabar Nigeria Stake, while stating his impression from the Ikot Ishie Primary Health Centre, venue of their project, noted the essence of service as a veritable vehicle that brings about joy and love as exemplified by the Saviour Jesus Christ.
On his part, President Ambrose Mbia Bawan of Akamkpa Nigeria Stake said the projects undertaken by his Stake and located in the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Ojor and Iwuru, afforded members opportunities to serve, work, and unite with their communities. He advised members to always engage in Christ-like service in their communities.
While Prince Kalu Ukpai, President of Calabar South Stake described the event as successful and acknowledged the participation of the traditional institution as what he has yearned for, President Godwin Oboh of Eta-Agbor Nigeria Stake said he was fulfilled seeing that the aim of the project has been achieved especially with the participation of Leaders of the Cross River Agric Development Project (CRADP) site for the clean-up who lauded the Church for the great transformation it has brought in the ADP.
Meanwhile, the annual clean-up initiative has become a delight to communities and government alike as it has offered a helping hand in the sensitive area of hygiene and sanitation. It has equally brought about the needed partnership in community – Church relations as well as bonding and unity with neighbours and friends of the Church.