President Buhari calls Gov. Emmanuel; Expresses sadness over Uyo church building collapse; Saraki, Ambode, Umahi, Udoma, others send solidarity messages; All thank God for Governor’s narrow escape

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel and his family on their lucky escape from the tragic collapse of the building of the Reigners Bible Church, Uyo.
The President, who conveyed these sentiments in a conversation with the Governor, according to a statement by Garba Shehu, his SSA (Media and Publicity), also conveyed to him and the People of Akwa Ibom State, the deep sorrow of his family, the government and the entire people of Nigeria over the many deaths and injuries recorded following the incident.
In praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and the quick recovery of the injured, President Buhari implored the people of the state, especially those in the catchment area of the incident to rally around the victims of the tragedy to help ease their sorrows and pains.
He commended the Government of the state for the handling of the situation, so far.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu on Sunday, sympathized with victims of the uncompleted Reigners Bible Church, which collapsed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.

Saraki in the statement, released in Abuja, commiserated with Governor Emmanuel, who narrowly escaped the unfortunate incident, the Christian Community and all those who were directly affected.

While praying for speedy recovery for those still receiving medical attention in hospitals, Saraki called for urgent and thorough investigation to determine both the remote and immediate cause of the building collapse.

“It is so sad that this incident claimed precious lives of innocent worshippers and injured scores of others,” Saraki said. “This was certainly an avoidable occurrence, the more reason relevant state and federal authorities should urgently launch an investigation to unravel the mechanical, environmental and human factors responsible for the incident.

“I believe such investigation, if sincerely done, will help us to guard against this unnecessary waste of lives, injuries and damage to property in the future. My heart goes out to all the victims, the Christian Community in Akwa Ibom State and the entire people of the state,” Saraki said.

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, on Sunday lamented as calamity, the collapse of the church building in Uyo.
Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, said he put a phone call across to Governor Udom shortly after the incident occurred on Saturday.
“My heart is heavy. I feel so terribly sad over this calamity. My heart is with my brother governor, who escaped death by the whispers. My heart is also with the families of those who lost their loved ones to the incident. My heart is with the entire people of Akwa Ibom State. All Ebonyians share their pains,” he said in the statement.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for quick recovery for those injured.
Umahi used the opportunity to call for stricter rules guiding building constructions, saying now is the time for Nigeria to have a workable national building code.
“I also feel that the time has come for the National Institute of Building, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners , Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and other relevant professional bodies to buckle up and effectively monitor the activities of their members,“ he advised.
Nigeria, according to the Governor, “has lost too many lives to building collapse and this latest one in Uyo is way too much. A stop must be put to this,” he said.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Sunday, also commiserated with the Akwa Ibom State Government and the families of those who lost their lives after the church building collapse.

The Governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said it was most unfortunate that the victims lost their lives while worshipping God.

“It is indeed an unfortunate incident and words cannot really express our sadness as a Government over the loss of several lives, who have become victims of an incident they know nothing about. It is indeed a pathetic situation and we can only express our condolence and commiserate with the bereaved families over this incident”, the Governor said.

“My heart goes out to the families of victims who lost their lives in this most unfortunate incident as well as to my brother Governor, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel whom providence had spared in the mishap. This is a most trying time and I offer my deepest commiseration with him,”

Governor Ambode also prayed that Almighty God will grant peaceful repose to the souls of those killed in the incident and speedy recovery to those injured.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, in his message to the State Governor and the people of the state, signed by Akpandem James, his Media Adviser, expressed deep sadness at the news of the collapsed church building which killed scores of worshippers during a consecration ceremony on Saturday.
He said that appropriate words fail him in expressing his very deep sorrow for the loss.
Senator Udoma said: “I am greatly saddened by the news of the collapse of a church building in Uyo, on Saturday morning, where scores of worshippers and guests were killed and tens of others injured.
“My thoughts and prayers go to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, whom providence had spared in the disaster, the families of the victims of the disaster, and all the people of the state.
“My sympathy also goes to the pastorate and members of the Reigners Bible Church along Uyo Village Road.
“It is my fervent prayer that the Almighty comforts all those affected and helps to soothe their pains and heal their wounds.”