Ahead of the commencement of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Uyo-based outfit, Dakkada FC held a special thanksgiving service, Sunday, January 1, 2023, with the theme “The Chosen Ones of God” taken from 1Corinthians 1:27-29.

The service was held at the Apostolic Church Afaha Oku district, Oku Village road, Uyo and was attended by high-profile dignitaries including the Deputy Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly and Executive Member of Nigeria Football Federation, Otuekong Nse Essien, who was the Special Guest of Honour, Commissioner-1 of the Akwa Ibom state Local Service Commission, Honourable Saturday Akpan, the state Director of Sports, Elder Ifiok Duff, the state Chapter Chairman of SWAN, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who sent in a representative, among others.

In his sermon entitled “The safety of everything with God”, the presiding pastor, pastor A. A. Okon lauded the club for committing the upcoming season to God and gave scriptural evidence that God will not disappoint them. He offered special prayers and blessed them.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Dakkada, Coach Aniedi Dickson, said that the club’s decision to hold the thanksgiving service was borne out of the demonstration of God’s love, blessing and faithfulness towards them over the past few years.

“Over the past few years, we have crisscrossed the length and breadth of the country executing NPFL matches and God has ensured that no reports of any bad incidents like accident or attacks have ever emanated from our camp, to His glory”, he said.

Mr. Dickson thanked the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and appreciated the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, for the employment platform which has been created through Dakkada and made a cash donation to the Church that he described as significant because according to him, it was a sacrificial contribution from all the players, coaches, officials and management staff members without any member of the club being left out.

There was time to dine and wine at a sumptuous reception which followed immediately after the service at Dakkada Club House where hymns were sung, goodwill messages received and refreshments taken including the sharing of a 10kg bag of rice to each member of the club which was donated by the Commissioner, Sir Monday Uko.

Dakkada who have been drawn into Group B will begin their campaign with a trip to Bayelsa United when the 2022/2023 NPFL gets underway this Sunday, January 8, 2023.