The Akwa Ibom Clergy Forum (AICLEF) has launched a ₦50 million agricultural investment programme as part of activities marking its 25th anniversary, with speakers calling for greater financial responsibility, family preparedness and collaboration between churches, businesses, communities and security agencies.
The initiative was unveiled during AICLEF’s 2026 Ecumenical Day, induction service and awards ceremony held on Saturday, September 12, at the United Evangelical Church, Barracks Bus Stop, Surulere, Lagos.
The event was held under the theme “Wealth Creation and Its Impact on the 21st Century Church, Families and Business.”
AICLEF links wealth creation to Christian responsibility
Delivering the main address on wealth creation, guest speaker Deaconess Idaresit Okon said Christians should pursue wealth ethically while developing businesses that create value and employment.
She challenged Christian entrepreneurs to balance their spiritual commitments with the practical demands of running successful businesses.
“As Christian entrepreneurs, how are we balancing our faith and business excellence?”
She used the example of small-business owners who close their shops during important trading periods because of church activities, arguing that prayer and faith should not replace diligence and effective business management.
“Divine provision does not eliminate human responsibility,” she said, stressing the importance of preparation, savings, investment and skills development.
According to her, wealth creation should follow a cycle of creating, managing, multiplying, giving and making an impact.
She also urged Christians to identify problems they could solve, develop relevant skills, control unnecessary expenses, set savings targets and explore productive investments.
Why it matters
For AICLEF, the investment programme is intended to move the conversation about church development beyond fundraising and towards sustainable income generation.
The forum’s welcome address said its agricultural investment plans include cocoa and palm-fruit plantations, with the wider objective of creating sustainable financial resources for the clergy, families and communities.
The programme is also expected to support job creation and community development if successfully implemented.
Security is also a responsibility, keynote speaker says
Speaking on “Ministry and Contemporary Security Challenges in Nigeria,” keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Isang Akpaumontia said security should be viewed more broadly than the protection of lives and property.
He argued that churches and families must also pay attention to financial, spiritual, family, institutional, physical and national security.
Akpaumontia said the church has a responsibility to prepare its members for practical challenges, including financial hardship, insecurity, unemployment, family breakdown and emerging technological risks.
“If there is anything you are doing at any time and the future is not included, stop it.”
He urged churches to combine spiritual teaching with practical education on financial management, responsible living, family values, ethical business practices and future planning.
“Faith should be complemented by diligence, planning, and proper stewardship,” he said.
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‘The military and police cannot do it alone’
The Military officer also warned that Nigeria’s security challenges require cooperation beyond the formal security agencies.
He said the military and police do not have sufficient capacity to address the country’s security problems alone and called on religious leaders to support peaceful coexistence and pray for communities affected by insecurity.
“The military cannot do it alone. The police cannot do it alone.”
He urged church leaders to show concern for people of other faiths affected by violence, particularly communities in northern Nigeria.
His broader message was that churches should become active partners in building safer communities rather than viewing security solely as the responsibility of government agencies.
Families remain central to national security
Akpaumontia also placed strong emphasis on family security, warning that economic hardship, substance abuse, child abduction, domestic violence, poor parenting and inadequate financial planning can weaken families and ultimately affect society.
He encouraged parents to maintain stronger relationships with their children and pay attention to what they are doing, particularly during school holidays.
He also called on churches to provide structured programmes and mentorship for young people.
“If our children are not mentored, we are looking for trouble.”
He said churches should create opportunities for young people to learn, develop skills and receive guidance from responsible adults within their communities.
Church urged to embrace technology and youth mentorship
The keynote speaker also encouraged churches to make better use of technology for evangelism, education and engagement with younger generations.
He said traditional approaches to preaching and ministry must evolve as communication habits change.
“Technology has come and it has come for good. We must hold it.”
He urged older church leaders to allow younger members to share their technological knowledge, arguing that doing so could strengthen the church’s ability to communicate with future generations.
AICLEF investment expected to support long-term development
The forum’s anniversary address said its second tenure would focus more heavily on investment as a means of responding to economic hardship among ministers and members.
The proposed investment portfolio includes cocoa and palm-fruit plantations, alongside other potential development areas.
The address presented the agricultural programme as part of a wider effort to build an institution capable of supporting the clergy, families, young people and communities over several generations.
AICLEF President, Pastor Joseph Emmanuel Eyo, said the forum’s vision was not simply about marking 25 years but about creating structures that would remain useful in the future.
The anniversary address stated that the forum’s motto is “Unity and Progress”, while its slogan is “AICLEF! Arise and Shine!”
‘We must come together’ — Osoba
Giving a goodwill message, Dr Festus Odunayo Osoba said cooperation was essential if Nigeria was to tackle insecurity, poverty and other social challenges.
He drew parallels with the early Christian community described in the Acts of the Apostles, where believers shared resources and supported one another.
“The only way forward by which we can tackle insecurity, poverty, and all the things that we have is by coming together, by uniting together.”
Osoba commended AICLEF for using its investment initiative to combine spiritual development with human and economic development.
He said the resources generated should benefit people beyond the immediate members of the forum.
“Nobody is left out.”
25 years completed, focus shifts to the next generation
The speakers repeatedly returned to the question of legacy as AICLEF marked its silver jubilee.
Akpaumontia challenged members to think beyond the achievements of the past 25 years and prepare institutions, families and communities for the next generation.
He said individual Christians also have a role to play, including supporting education and helping people facing financial difficulties.
“What can you do for somebody?”
He argued that supporting a child’s education, mentoring a young person or helping someone acquire a livelihood could contribute to long-term community security.
2026 induction and awards
Six people were inducted into AICLEF during the anniversary ceremony:
- Mr Anthony Isong Uyo
- Dr Daniel Usenobong Ita Daniel
- Dr Macaulay Ekpo
- Apostle Emmanuel Ekong
- Pastor Ezekiel Dominic Etim
- Pastor Godwill Sunday John
The 2026 award recipients included:
- Pastor Uko Ime Ufford, JP
- Gabriel James Ekwere
- Dr Daniel Usenobong Ita Daniel
- Dr Macaulay Ekpo
- Elder James Edo
- Elder Etesin W. Essien
- Deaconess Stella Ekaette Nwakanwa
- Rev. Dr Uko Obot
- Pastor Okon Edet Ekpety
- Elder Samuel Udo Usoro
- United Evangelical Church
What happens next?
The success of AICLEF’s ₦50 million investment programme will ultimately depend on how clearly the projects are structured, financed, governed and monitored.
The forum’s own anniversary address emphasised accountability and sustainable development, meaning implementation and transparent reporting will be important if the initiative is to deliver the long-term benefits outlined by its leaders.
For the wider church community, the central message from the anniversary was clear: faith and wealth creation should not be treated as opposing ideas, but financial resources must be managed ethically and directed towards families, communities and the wider society.
