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Tag: PFN

  • 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.

  • Lagos PFN Elects New Chair Davis, Others at Just Concluded Poll

    Lagos PFN Elects New Chair Davis, Others at Just Concluded Poll

    By Nsan Ndoma-Neji

    National President and Executive Council of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has lauded the new Lagos chairman of PFN pastor Yemi Davids, his deputy, Rev. Mrs.Janet Onaolapo, others for their victory at just concluded Tuesday election which catapulted them to the  state executive.

    Speaking on the issue, PFN national Publicity Secretary, Bishop Dr Emmah Isong, who spoke on behalf of PFN national President His Eminence Bishop Dr Wale Oke, urged the new Exco to carry their members along in the daily running of the affairs of the fellowship.

    Oke urged the  newly elected Exco to lead with wisdom and ensure that the confidence reposed in them by their members is not betrayed.

    A congratulatory message released on May 30, by the PFN National President Bishop Wale Oke, confirmed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Christian body, Bishop Dr Emmah Isong sighted by our Correspondent, called for all hands to be on deck so as to lift the christian body  to an enviable pedestal.

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    While welcoming the newly elected Lagos state PFN Exco into the fold, Emmah Isong’s  letter reads, “I am pleased to announce to you that the Lagos PFN elections conducted on Tuesday May 28,2024 has been vetted, accepted and validated by the National President.We hereby congratulate the new chairman pastor Yemi Davis, the deputy Rev. Mrs. Janet Onaolapo, Secretary Rev. Udo Robertson Agomuonso, Treasurer, Pastor Sola Osunmakinde.

    “Other elections position shall be filled at the General Assembly of the Lagos state PFN as stipulated by the National president,” PFN National Returning Officer’s message concluded.

    Commenting further on the issue, the Archbishop-Elect Dr Gospel Emmah Isong, affirmed  that the election was free and fair stressing that this accounts for the reason why they are yet to see any one protesting against emergence of Davis and his team who emerged as winners for the contest.
    The successful and the peaceful conduct of the Lagos State PFN elections has finally laid to rest all agitations, suspicions and insinuations, and has brought great appreciations and salutations to the wisdom and administrative grace of the National President.