Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has congratulated the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on the occasion of its 40th anniversary celebration.
Speaking at the event held at the Holy Ghost Day Bible Church, Bedside Christland Mission Schools, Amuzukwu Ibeku in Umuahia North LGA, Governor Otti described the milestone as a testament to the faithfulness of God and the steadfastness of the church in upholding Christian values.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, while noting that the PFN has over the years, remained a strong moral compass for the nation, advocating righteousness, justice and unity among believers while serving as a dependable partner in the quest for national transformation, also commended the National and State leadership of the PFN for its unwavering commitment to spiritual growth, peace and social harmony.
The State Chief Executive further reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to sustain it’s partnership with the church to promote moral rebirth, good governance and community development, stressing that true transformation begins when spiritual values are translated into positive social action.
In his welcome address, the National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, who spoke through the state PFN Chairman, Archbishop Chikezie Elekwa, eulogized the founding fathers and past presidents of PFN for their uncommon leadership and resilience which helped in shaping the fellowship, pointing out that their legacies of prayer, unity and bold witness remains a guiding light to all.
He thanked Governor Otti for gracing the 40th anniversary celebration as well as for his administration’s openness to collaboration with the church, and reaffirmed the fellowship’s commitment to supporting the state government’s vision for a morally upright and economically vibrant Abia.
In a homily titled, “God of Mercy,” the founder of Holy Ghost Day Bible Church and State Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Archbishop Chikezie Elekwa, while describing the anniversary as a time of reflection, renewal and thanksgiving for God’s mercies and faithfulness to the fellowship and its members, noted that it is God’s mercy that brought and kept PFN over the past 40 years despite numerous challenges.
In their goodwill messages, some clergymen including, Rev. Moses Omaka, Pastor Amara Uwaeziozi, Col. Daniel Ugwuzor (RTD), Apostle Ben Nwankwo and Bishop Ugochukwu Newlife, congratulated PFN on their 40th anniversary and urged Christian leaders to remain steadfast in prayer for the nation, especially in this period of economic and social challenges.
The anniversary which attracted the presence of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Apostle Kenneth Wiper, traditional rulers and the clergy, also featured prayers for the state and nation at large, presentation of awards to some fathers of faith while a minute of silence was observed in honour of one of the founding fathers of PFN, Rev. Dr Uma Ukpai who passed on, on the 6th of this month.
