By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Cross River State Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have commended the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) for its contributions to religious tourism, humanitarian services and economic development in the state.
The commendations came during separate courtesy visits by a delegation of the BCS College of Bishops, led by its Dean, Patriarch Christ Shepherd Bassey Imowo, to the Government House and CAN secretariat in Calabar.
Receiving the delegation at the Government House, the Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu, Chief Emmanuel Ironbar, said the organisation had contributed significantly to the state’s economy over its more than 70 years of existence.
He said the influx of foreign visitors, worshippers, researchers and tourists attracted by the organisation had boosted economic activities through patronage of hotels, markets and other businesses.
“The BCS has been around in the state for several decades, and you have been very supportive through the continuous influx of your brethren from different countries for worship and pilgrimage.
“They stay in our hotels for several days and weeks, buy in our markets and spend foreign currencies in our state. Because of your founder, tourists have continued to visit his birthplace for research and worship. This is religious tourism, a real booster to the state economy, which we cannot take for granted,” he said.
He added that Governor Otu held the spiritual leader of the BCS, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, in high esteem and would personally visit him in recognition of his contributions and prayers for the state.
At the CAN secretariat, the Acting Chairman of the association in Cross River State, Apostle Trinity Ogar, welcomed the delegation, saying its explanations had clarified several misconceptions about the organisation’s brand of Christianity.
Ogar commended the BCS for its contributions to the propagation of the Christian faith and humanitarian services, describing the organisation as unique.
He explained that CAN served as an umbrella body for Christian churches across different blocs, adding that the association was open to collaboration with the BCS.
The CAN chairman appealed to the organisation to donate more copies of Everlasting Gospel, a compilation of its leader’s religious teachings drawn from the Holy Bible, to the secretariat.
He also urged the BCS to develop Biakpan, the birthplace of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, into a major pilgrimage destination comparable to Jerusalem and other renowned religious sites.
Speaking earlier, Imowo spoke about the BCS belief in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in human form, declaring that the long-foretold eternal Kingdom of God had been established on earth.
He said the organisation’s teachings emphasised love, peace, forgiveness and other virtues, adding that its leader’s mission was to unite humanity and restore people to God’s original standards and expectations.
Presenting a special message from His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, whom BCS faithful revere as the King of kings and Lord of lords, Imowo urged government leaders to govern with humility, love and truth.
He also appealed to the state government to assist in rebuilding the organisation’s vandalised multipurpose auditorium in Biakpan.
