Here are some quick takes at the well-attended conference.
FEB Idahosa: Like Father, Like Son
You could notice the fire, fiery and vibrancy of the late Pentecostal preacher, Archbishop Benson Idahosa in his son, Bishop FEB Idahosa. Good looking FEB represented her mother, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa at the conference. The woman of God is a member of the 29-member National Advisory Council (NAC) of PFN though she couldn’t make it to the conference.
FEB took one of the intercessory prayer sessions on the Friday, the last day of the conference. During the prayer, the young man talked about the love of God enveloping his children like a baby wrapped by its mother’s womb. While he led the prayers session lasted, not a few were reminded of his father, often regarded of the father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. Archbishop Idahosa died in March 1998 at 59.
Prophet El-Buba captivating conversion story
Prophet Isa El-Buba is one of the power Pentecostal preachers in northern Nigeria. He co-chaired the Conference Planning Team with Rev. Victor Ogunkanmi. On the second day of the conference, El-Buba also coordinated one of the 25 seminar and discussion sessions themed, “The Need for Social Justice and Equality for the Rebirth of a Nation.”
During the session, El-Buba, who converted from Islam to Christianity, held his listeners spellbound about his walk with Christ. He told his story of his encounter with Jesus Christ on March 3, 1982 which made him to convert to Christianity. According to him, he was a vibrant young Muslim, who, alongside others fought for Allah uncompromisingly until he met Christ. He said he brought that fiery nature to Christianity.
Bishop John-Praise Daniel pledges loyalty to Oke
Finally, the Founder of Dominion Chapel International Bishop John-Praise Daniel, spoke about his loss to Bishop Wale Oke in the election for PFN presidency.
Until the election on Tuesday February 11, Bishop Daniel, who hails from the northern part of the country, was the PFN deputy national President. He ran against his boss, Oke in the election but lost by 12 votes to 15.
While delivering a sermon on the last day of the conference, the man of God admitted he lost the election, but pledged loyalty to Oke, who won for a second term in office.
Hear him, “We had an election and our president (Oke) won. We have to keep the tradition of the PFN. That is to show my good spirit of sportsmanship. We are together in this business. He has my loyalty. There is no gainsaying….”
Daniel said he and Oke met that morning and they discussed how they knew each other in Ibadan in the 80’s before becoming leaders of the PFN.
“Failure is not fatal (and) success is not final. Success and failure are parts of life’s journey. When you lose, you try more and more,” he stated further recalling how some inventors, including Michael Faraday, failed several times before succeeding in their inventions.
Gov. Mutfwang humility, appreciation
Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State displayed rare humility when he disclosed that he owed his election to God.
Muftwang walked into the conference venue on the last day and was given the opportunity to bring a goodwill message shortly after. While expressing gratitude for the privilege, the governor revealed that the brethren’s prayer helped him to win the 2023 gubernatorial election.
“I sincerely appreciate the body of Christ for praying me and keeping me in office,” he said, while listing some clerics who either visited or prayed for him at the time. They include Pastor Paul Enenche, Bishop Kure, Prophet El-Buba, Pastor Gideon Paramala, Rev. Dangana, Rev. Wale Oke and David Bakare.
The PDP governor also urged Christians in Nigeria to arise and take their place wherever they find themselves. He said Christians should make 1 Tim 1:19 their motto.
Evangelist Omolehin lays hands on participants
Evangelist Isaac Omolehin coordinated one of the 25 seminar and discussion sessions on Friday February 14, the last day of the conference. The Ilorin-based cleric coordinated the session with the titled, “Power Evangelism: The Impact of the Miraculous in Evangelism).
The session had the one of the largest number of people in attendance. He coordinated the session brilliantly and vibrantly. He spoke the need for Christians to possess power without which they cannot evangelise effectively. “Power makes the job easy and faster,” he said, adding “Muslims are not interested in your preaching. They will ask you – can you show it. If you talk, you will talk less.”
One striking thing he did after the session was to lay hands on everyone regardless of the huge number of the participants.
Enenche almost missed sermon time
Host pastor and founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche almost missed his speaking time. He was billed to deliver his sermon on morning of the second day (Thursday) of the conference but was not aware.
The medical doctor-turned pastor only got to know of the schedule shortly before midnight on Wednesday when he enquired from the organisers when his spiritual father, Bishop David Oyedepo, was scheduled to speak. A PFN official told him that a notice to that effect had since been dispatched to him before the conference commenced.
Consequently, he had to spent the next few hours of the night to prepare the message scheduled for about 9 a.m. As usual, Enenche, a member of the PFN National Advisory Council, gave a good account of himself when he delivered his sermon and he was widely applauded.
Poju Oyemade’s captivating sermon
Another cleric that gave a good account of himself was Poju Oyemade, senior pastor and founder of The Covenant Nations. He delivered his sermon in the morning of the third day of the event. His excellent delivery of the message was so captivating and unique that everybody paid close attention.
SGF Akume seeks commitment of faith-based groups
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, represented the federal government at the conference. He spoke on the third day. The former governor of Benue State expressed commitment of the government to work with the PFN and other faith-based organisations to work for the Nigerian people.
Oluremi Tinubu, the “Esther of our time”
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Victor Adegbite, represented the nation’s first family, President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi.
During his goodwill message on the first day of the conference, the Methodist church cleric said the church and state are interwoven and intertwined and should work together.
While describing the theme of the conference as “very apt,” Bishop Adegbite said the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration are painful at the moment “but at the end of the tunnel there is light and that light has started now.”
However, not a few exchange glances when towards the end of his speech, he described Oluremi as the “Esther of our time.” No
PFN reduces cost of programme booklet
On the first day when participants were rushing to register, the PFN sold its 25-page programme of the event for N2,000. However, on the last day, Friday 14 March, it brought down the price by 100 per cent, selling it for just N1,000. This many believe was because the programme was coming to a close and copies of the programme had not sold out.
Adeboye, Uma Ukpai unique ministrations
Many servants of God ministered at the event. But those of Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Evangelist Uma Ukpai of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, were unique. They were the only ones who sat down to minister. Both ministers are in their 80s. Just before he delivered his sermon, Adeboye jokingly said, “One of the reasons why I’m sitting down is that I’m not going to be in a hurry.”
However, unlike them, another octogenarian pastor, William Kumuyi, who joined the conference virtually stood all through to minister on the second day. While Adeboye will clock 83 on March 2, Ukpai was 80 in January. Kumuyi, on his part, will be 84 in June.
MFM’s Olukoya, Lord Chosen’s Muoka represented
Prominent clerics, Pastors Daniel Olukoya of the Mountain and Fire Ministries International (MFM) and Pastor Lazarus Muoka of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, could not make it to the conference. They were, however, fully represented. While Evangelist C, Joseph represented Pastor Muoka, Pastor Taiwo Oladimeji represented Pastor Olukoya.
Enenche and wife, Becky impressive outing
Enenche and his wife, Dr Becky, were literally a couple to behold during the conference. As the conference’s hosts, they were everywhere trying to ensure it was successful. Beside, as usual, they wore dresses of the same colour all through.
The appearance of the couple was so fascinating that one of the PFN officials (name cannot be ascertained) openly said on the altar that his wife had made reference to the dressing style. He said it was an indirect way of telling him that they should emulate the Enenches.
Drs Paul and Becky were also repeatedly hailed by several speakers for providing the venue free for the conference.
Israeli ambassador is a Believer
The nation of Israel was adequately represented at the event. The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, personally attended on the second day.
In his goodwill message, Freeman described himself as a “believer” and invited Nigerian Christians to visit Israel, the roots of the founder of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ.
Hear him, “I came here, not just as an ambassador but as a believer. I bring you greetings from Jerusalem of the Bible. I encourage all of you to visit my country. I encourage you to come to see the country.”
Until he spoke, not a few thought that there was no believer in Israeli government but coly comprises of Judaists. Judaism is the religion and way of Jewish people.
Conference committees
A total of 21 special committees packaged the conference, which began with a colloquium on Monday February 10 while the election was held on Tuesday February 11 when the former leadership was dissolved. The new executives were elected by the NAC while others were elected by the General Assembly on Wednesday February 12.
Muslim governor, others sent representatives
The governors of Edo, Kogi and Benue States sent in representatives. While the Edo and Benue governors were represented by their special advisers, that of Kogi, a Muslim, was represented by the secretary to the state government.
Tinubu’s aide could not be reached
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Polices also breezed in. However, by the time, he was called for recognition, he had left the venue.
No to separate political party for Christians
Political education…Pastor Femi Emmanuel, the founder of the Livingspring Chapel International, couldn’t have performed better in the role he played moderating the session. He gave a brilliant account of himself when he moderated the question and answer session on the second day of the conference. That day, the conference broke into 25 seminar and discussion sessions to discuss 25 topics different topics.
After the seminars, Pastor Emmanuel, a former deputy speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, was given the role of answering conferees’ questions. One thing he repeatedly said was that Nigerian Christians do not need to form a separate political party in order to participate in politics. There are 18 registered political parties in Nigeria.
Rev Mercy Ezekiel and the prolonged prophecy
General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), Rev. Mercy Ezekiel, vibrancy was evident. Rev. Mercy, widow of the CPM founder, Obiora Ezekiel, delivered the second sermon in the morning of the first day. However, she spent almost half of the message prophesying on the nation, Pastor Adeboye was so impressed that while he was delivering his sermon, he could not help but to make reference to her, calling her prophetess. Because of her sterling performance, she was called again the second day to lead the conference in another round of prophecy.
Down to earth Bishop Nwachukwu
Bishop Paul Nwachukwu of the Grace of God Ministries, in his sermon id not mince words. He was brutally frank as he dwelt on righteous living if Nigerian must be rebirthed. During the sermon, Bishop Nwachukwu never smiled.