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Tag: Emmah Isong

  • PFN National Vice President Isong, Bags Religious Affairs Ambassadorial Award From Alma-Mater

    PFN National Vice President Isong, Bags Religious Affairs Ambassadorial Award From Alma-Mater

    By Nsan Ndoma-Neji

    As part of the activity to mark the celebration of Unical @50 Anniversary,  the University of Calabar (Unical) has conferred the prestigious award of honour called, “Religious Affairs Ambassador Award on the PFN National Vice President, Archbishop Dr Emmah Gospel Isong, as a way to encourage him to continue with rendering of selfless service to humanity.

    The award came barely 13 days after the institution recognized several personalities in Nigeria with awards of honour to distinguished personalities with track records in the socio-political landscape of the nation.

    Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi stated that the award   to the cleric is in recognition of his tremendous contributions to  development of humanity and the society upholding the virtues and values that the institution stands for.

    Conferring the award on Isong in his office at Christian Central chapel International, a.k.a City of Testimonies Ikot Ene-Obong 8miles Calabar, Unical Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, said that the honour is in recognition to the cleric’s preaching exactly what Unical stands for.

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    Representing the Vice Chancellor, Dean, College of Graduate School and Chairman Unical at 50 Anniversary celebration, Prof. Eyong Ubana, and his team accompanied by Executive Secretary Unical NUGA games, Dr. Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, stated that the honour is given to Isong following his ability to be preaching what Unical stands for.

    Obi averred that management of the school had over the years been following Isong’s track records and subsequently identified the cleric as a  shinning lights produced by the institution stressing that that alone qualified him to be a recipient of the award.

    “Your University has turned 50 years and as you know the motto of the University of Calabar is “knowledge for service” The knowledge you gained from the University  is for service to humanity.

    “One of the things we have done during this 50th Anniversary, is to give honour to those who has flown the flag of the institution.

    “We have identified Nigerians who graduated from that little place but are shining light, carrying the flag of the great University making the institution what it is to humanity.

    “We understand your contribution to humanity, we understand your contributions to our institution and to the few who are here.

    “We understand your contributions to the ones who are represented, and to the multitude out there.

    “We understand spiritual leadership and the tutelage that you have provided . We recognized what you are doing, that you are helping to propagate that which the university of Calabar stands for.

    “We understand that only very persons have the privilege to end the title Great Malabite (GM) you are a great man,” he maintained.

    In his reaction, PFN National Vice President South, South zone, Archisbishop Dr Emmah Isong expressed excitement, assuring management of his alma mater that the award will spur him to render more service to humanity.

  • Archbishop Isong Appointed PFN National Vice President S/S Zone

    Archbishop Isong Appointed PFN National Vice President S/S Zone

    By Nsan Ndoma-Neji

    The leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has appointed the General Overseer and founder of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI)  a.k.a City of Testimonies 8,Miles, Calabar, Archbishop Dr Emmah Gospel Isong as National Vice President of PFN for the South South zone.

    A letter dated March 27, 2025, signed by the PFN National President, His Eminence, Bishop Dr Francis Wale Oke, and addressed to Archbishop Dr Emmah Isong, sighted by our Correspondent, stated that with the new  appointment, Isong is to  oversee PFN chairpersons and their executives in the six states of the zone.

    “It gives me great pleasure to announce your appointment as National Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, South South Zone”. Oke’s letter maintained.

    The  letter enumerated  that these six states will be under Isong’s supervision ; Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River and charged  the cleric to ensure that states in his  zone keep faith and pace with the goals of the National PFN.

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    The letter reads part of Isong’s responsibility to include, overseeing  mobilization, execution and successful implementation of the 8th National Executive Council’s Cardinal Agenda in the State Chapters under Isong’s leadership.

    To pursue an enhanced membership drive by attracting genuine Pentecostals who presently are not yet actively involved in PFN within the zone, to supervise the conduct of Appointments/Elections into States’ Executive Councils, along with the respective State Advisory Councils.

    Part of the clause in Oke’s letter reads, “In conjunction with the National States’ Inauguration committee shall supervise and as well represent the National  President, inaugurate each State Executives-Elect, in your zone.”

    Accepting the appointment, Archisbishop Isong thanked the National President and the National Advisory Council/National Executive Council for the honour done him, and promised to serve diligently.

    Until his recent appointment, Isong was immediate past National Publicity Secretary and spokesperson. He  had previously served the fellowship as the State Chairman of Cross River State chapter of PFN.

  • Archbishop Wale Oke’s Track Record Shows He Has Robust Capacity To Lead PFN For 2nd Term – Isong

    Archbishop Wale Oke’s Track Record Shows He Has Robust Capacity To Lead PFN For 2nd Term – Isong

    Archbishop Dr. Emmah Gospel Isong, is National Publicity Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria PFN  who knows his onions as far as issues of PFN are concerned. In this interview with National compass, Isong reacted to a piece authored by one Olalekan Bilesanmi where he alleged that Mama Idahosa, one of the Nigeria’s mothers  of faith had drawn conclusion that Archbishop Dr Wale Oke’s reelection bid for the position of PFN National President would not scale through due to incompetence. NSAN NDOMA -NEJI brings you Excerpts of that Interview.

    Going by a publication by one Olalekan Bilesanmi of a certain National Daily who claimed to have spoken with some senior leaders of the PFN that a mother of faith accused Dr. WALE Oke of not keeping the fellowship vibrant and that as a result of that, the  PFN has gone down to voice mail.  Is this assertion true ?

    Yes I have seen that national daily that featured one Mr. Olalekan Bilesanmi as a misfired write up. I wish to tell you that there is no storm in the PFN, and there are no schism in the great fellowship and our National President His Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Francis ‘Wale Oke, is leading the fellowship robustly, in his leadership,we have found greater moment of unity and friendship. Never had the Pentecostal fellowship enjoyed this apex of relationship. To me, never had the fellowship been this vibrant. I don’t know who the said journalist spoke with. I am the national publicity secretary, if anybody was to speak according to him to leaders of Pentecostal Fellowship he should have mistakenly contacted me for that information. I think it’s a roadside discussion. It’s a street talk that doesn’t hold water.

    What is your assessment of the performance of the current National President of PFN?

    Like I said there are five things that stand out for His Eminence Dr Wale Oke, since he became National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, number one, is the atmosphere of peace and love, unity friendship in the fellowship. He has inculcated all across the 36 states of the federation both in the state chapters and local government chapters of the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria. Secondly Dr. Wale Oke, has been able to bring the fellowship to a point that we have raised strong leaders , young generation leaders, a new generation leadership called the generation next of PFN. That has never been.

    Thirdly, for the first time, we have acquired a strategic portion of land for our second national Secretariat in Abuja. Our National Secretariat had been in Lagos in the past 40 years and now we are going to have another Secretariat in Abuja.

    Fourth, Dr. Wale Oke, instituted a 40 days of prayer and fasting for our nation Nigeria. His prayerfulness and proactiveness has woken up the church.

    Fifth, Dr. Wale Oke’s divine wisdom has helped strengthened the administration of the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria as he carries along the National Advisory council , National Executive Council, never have we been so united.

    Is it true that PFN is having a biennial confab and election in Abuja come February 2025 if so, what are the preparations like ?

    Yes the PFN is having its 18th National Biennial conference at Glory Dome of the Dunamis church on Airport road, Abuja from February 11 — 14, 2025. It is within the period of that biennial conference the Elections will surely hold as we are being reminded by the writers of that unscrupulous article. PFN Elections is a very seelamless and private exercise and is not for show. We don’t advertise it. Is not like what we have in the world. Previously the process had produced credible leaders like Late Papa Benson Idahosa, Papa Adeboye, Papa Okonkwo, even recently Papa Ayo Oritjasefor who had ruled for 8 years handed over to Papa Felix Omubude himself led the fellowship for 8 years, and Dr Wale Oke is just ending his four years and of course he is constitutionally entitled for another four years come February 2025 when the fathers of faith will gather to appreciate him for what he has accomplished.

    Are you seeing those accusing The National President of incompetence as a ploy to limit his chances for a second term ?

    We don’t campaign in PFN, nor lobby. We don’t politicize our policy. But if the people that ran this article has that in mind, the it’s just like a storm in the tea cup, because the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria, have their own wise, Holy Ghost way of choosing their leaders. Some one like Dr. Wale Oke rose within the ranks and file of the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria. He has been a state leader, he has been a regional leader, he has been even a National Vice President (South West). He rose to become a Deputy National President and now he is the National President. We have our own processes that throw up our leaders devoid of campaigns, devoid of rumblings, devoid of politicizing and backstabbing. We don’t do that kind of politics. We don’t even play open politics. It is when the fathers of faith gather and pray, of course like you see in the Acts 13, the Holy Spirit will speak and they will bring up the new leadership. It is very clear that they will choose the right person. They had never chosen wrongly.

    All the past leaders that PFN have had are from God. We don’t choose our leaders on the pages of newspapers. We choose our leaders from after prayers and intercessions.

    Is it really true that Mama Idahosa accused the PFN National President Dr. Wale Oke, of not keeping to his promises?

    No, No, No Mama Idahosa and Archbishop Wale Oke’s relationship is very like mother and son’s relationship. The incident somebody maybe be referring to happened last year during Dr. Oyedepo’s 70th birthday. Mama was speaking as a mother and was teasing the national president like to say don’t abandon me, don’t forsake me ooh. And they laughed together. It wasn’t something that should be on air. It wasn’t something like an accusation. If you know Mama Idahosa very well. She does that to me and indeed every of her sons. We enjoy her motherhood and simplicity. She is one of the pillars and founding Matriach of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. She is a builder and an encouragement to all. She has a robust and sound relationship with the National President of PFN. Always supports the President in all projects and programmes of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

  • With Oke On The Saddle, PFN Can Be Sure Of Turnaround – Isong

    With Oke On The Saddle, PFN Can Be Sure Of Turnaround – Isong

    Archbishop-elect Emmah Gospel Isong is the National Publicity Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Founder, Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) a.k.a Faith Mansion World Center, with headquarters in Ikot Ene-obong, 8miles Calabar. In this interview, Isong gave insight of happenings around the PFN under the leadership of its National President, Bishop Dr. Wale Oke, the giant strides recorded upon mounting the saddle as president of the Christian organization and other sundry issues. NSAN NDOMA-NEJI brings you excerpts of that interaction.

    You have been working under the Bishop Dr. Wale Oke -led national exco of the PFN for three to four years, precisely February will make it four years. What is your take on the personality, integrity of the man Bishop Wale Oke ?

    It has been a privilege working under him for more than three years now as you have said as the elected National Publicity Secretary of the PFN. Don’t forget, I had worked under other Presidents. I was chairman of Cross River State under Papa Ayo Oritsejafor. I was the National Publicity Secretary first term under Dr. Felix Omobude, and now I’m still the National Publicity Secretary second term, with Dr. Francis Wale Oke. My take is that, he is a father figure in Pentecostalism. Dr. Wale Oke is a distinguished gentleman, apart from being an erudite preacher; he is prolific, highly educated man of God. He is highly educated, getting to about fifty years in ministry, even before he became the national president of PFN.

    Dr. Francis Wale Oke who is the Chancellor of his own University called The Corner Stone University, has been in the rank and file of the PFN. He has served at different levels in the state; he has also served as a Vice President,  South West, a national deputy president and now serving as the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. He is a man of efficacy in prayer, a man of truth, integrity, and a man who calls a spade a spade. His Eminence is a round peg in a round hole and God has sent him to the Pentecostals, a more than fifty million Pentecostals, in a time like this. I say this with a clear conscience that never would we have had a better
    leader than Dr. Francis Wale Oke. I find it as a pleasure to serve under this great leader.

    How strong and supportive are the State Chapters of the PFN, are there issues on the Elections or Selections in any State Excos ?

    Yes and no. No because the National President Dr. Wale Oke, has made sure that all state elections under his watch are conducted in such a constitutional and conducive atmosphere that will throw up at state levels leaders with capacity. For instance when in Lagos state, there was a breach of procedure, of course the National President by the advice of fathers of faith, cancelled that election. Infact incidentally, I was mandated as the national returning officer to re-conduct that election and it will interest you to know that all the stakeholders and members of the Lagos State Advisory Council (SAC) including the National Vice President were present in that election that was conducted by me, and it was not only very free and fair, but was under cameras, with strict constitutional compliance and the three candidates who contested for instance, congratulated themselves and embraced the winner Pastor Yemi Davis. That elections stands today as one of the best things that has happened to Lagos state. You know Lagos state is so central and important to our organisation, it carries the timbers and calibers of the PFN. So the right thing had to be done to the appreciation of all.

    So you can see there are no “unsettled dust” in the Lagos State chapter. The Rivers state chapter recently not only conducted their elections, but we also got inaugurated and of course constitutional procedures were followed. Rivers state for instance with a 17 member attendance out of 25 member State Advisory Council produced a chairman (for a second term) in the person of Pastor Dagogo Jack who recently invited the National President with all the stakeholders in Port Harcourt to dedicate their state-of-the-art Secretariat.

    We hereby congratulate him, also the Vice President of PFN (South South) the good people of Rivers State and the  National President himself. In Cross River Sate and several other states in Nigeria we had also conducted free and fair elections where State Chairmen peacefully emerged. So under the watch of His Eminence Dr. Wale Oke, the states have been stronger, and elections better and fairer.

    How would you assess the PFN unity and vision under the current leadership of Bishop Dr. Wale Oke ?

    Let me assure you one more time that Bishop Dr Francis Wale Oke is not just a National President of PFN in a time like this, he is a father even to the staff working at the national headquarters office. He knows when they are sick, he cares and knows when some of them should take a leave and visits them when need be. He sometimes send the National Secretary Bishop Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu to visit them and so even the members of our staff are in good
    working conditions.

    The mood of PFN Exco members are also that of unity, friendship, felicitations and congratulations. That notwithstanding, there may be a case of a national officer taking a bow out of personal reasons. Such cases also occurred in previous administrations and that does not by any way reflect rancor in the rank and file of our fellowship. Interestingly, we have no cracks in our walls. I repeat, the PFN under the watch of Dr. Francis Wale Oke has been stronger, richer, bigger, better. This administration is commencing the building of another National Headquarters in Abuja. The fellowship has acquired a strategic N25Om worth of Land (though this could by now exceed 300 Million Naira due to other expenditures like consultations,  registrations etc).

    Our teaming members are quite ready and ever willing to donate generously in support of this noble project primarily because of the high level of trust, integrity, transparency, honesty and financial prudency of the present Exco led by Dr. Wale Oke.

    As a spokesperson and also as a major witness and stakeholder, I do solemnly confirm that we are in a good shape and that by the Grace of God, come February 2025 when we shall be having our Biennial Conference/Elections, all our esteemed members, fathers of faith and the National Advisory Council (NAC) shall be filled with thanksgiving to God Almighty on this great improvements and achievements. May I also use this opportunity to invite members of the public to my Elevation Service and 60th birthday 5-Star celebration scheduled for Saturday October 26th 2024, of course the celebration will start from the 20th. The National President president of PFN will be one of the officiating ministers. As they say, seeing is believing.

  • Fake news remains most dangerous recipe for social tension, says PFN Scribe

    Fake news remains most dangerous recipe for social tension, says PFN Scribe

    By Christian Njoku

    Bishop Emmah Isong, National Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has disclosed that fake news remained the most dangerous recipe for social tensions in Nigeria and globally.

    Isong made the call on Wednesday in Calabar when the new executive and member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council paid him a courtesy visit.

    The cleric who is the presiding Bishop of the Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) and a patron of the South-South Zone of the NUJ said it behoved on the journalists to properly balance  stories and speak truth to power.

    Noting that most of the wars that had been fought globally like the Iraqi war was as a result of fake news, he said the media played an important role in given a clear and true picture of things.

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    He challenged the media men to cooperate with the new leadership of the Council eschewing tribal differences, small divisive groups and close ranks while pushing for the welfare of members.

    “It is important that we look into the welfare and health of journalists because the risk and lack of insurance in the job for many journalists makes it clear that a lot need to be done for newsmen.

    “Having good welfare packages for members of the Union gives more prestige to the profession and the more prestigious the profession is, the more people will want to listen to the journalists.

    “Also it is important for journalists to synergize despite their political, social and tribal differences and speak with one voice,” he said.

    Speaking earlier Mrs Archibong Bassey, Chairman of NUJ, Cross River Council said as a new executive in the state, they had come to the cleric to ask for his blessings and guidance as a patron of the union.

    She thanked him for all his support in the past while appealing that he continues to pray for the council for God to grant them divine success in all their endeavours.

    “I have come to submit this Union into God’s hands because I desire peace, progress and open doors for my members,” she said.

    (NAN)

  • Only 5% of Nigerians are truly enjoying dividends of democracy – PFN Scribe

    Only 5% of Nigerians are truly enjoying dividends of democracy – PFN Scribe

    By Christian Njoku

    Bishop Emmah Isong, Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has disclosed that though Nigeria has enjoyed uninterrupted democracy for 25 years, only about five per cent of Nigerians have enjoyed democratic dividends.

    Isong made the assertion on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar while reacting to the June 12, Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria.

    It would be recalled that after a long spell of military dictatorship, Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999 and have had five democratically elected president since then.

    The publicity secretary who doubles as the Presiding Bishop of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) said the five per cent that have enjoyed democracy in Nigeria are the politicians and those in the corridors of power.

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    He said although some of the Nigerian politicians have proven themselves to be different, the present democratic system in the nation favours the politicians, little wonder they are elected or appointed into an office and they want to sit tight.

    According to him, “the problem is not actually with democracy as a system of government but in the deterioration of morality and fear of God in the hearts of the leaders.

    “Most Nigerian politicians who win elections today forget their manifestos immediately they take their oath of office,” he said.

    Speaking further Isong said Nigeria needs a new kind of democracy with lots of constitutional adjustments and adaptability to suit its peculiar African culture.

    He said Nigeria cannot continue in a democracy where during elections, politicians arm thugs who go on rampage with weapons and people run into their houses to hide and at the end positions are filled with the worst Nigerians.

    He alleged that many who get leadership positions in Nigeria are dropouts with forged certificates, the elections are rigged, the electoral umpires and judiciary are coerced and the security agencies compromised.

    “We must not deceive ourselves the best Nigerians don’t go out during election days not to talk off contesting, it is the worst most hardened and corrupt of us that are emboldened and assimilated into the political system.

    “Nigeria needs to go back to the report of the Sovereign National Conference of 2014 where all Nigerians came together to talk about issues like revenue sharing balance in region, equity, constitutional change and adopt its resolutions.

    “If we must move forward as a nation, issues of equity and justice, immunity clause in our constitution among other issues needs to be looked into or else we will continue to go around in circle and not more forward,” he said.

    (NAN)