Revamp economy, PFN tells FG at biennial conference

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has tasked the Federal Government to take urgent steps on the economy to ease the current hardship experienced across the nation.

The organisation also returned Reverend (Dr) Felix Omobude as its national president for a second term of four years.

This was contained in a statement made available to TribuneChurch, by the Director, Media and Public Relations of the PFN, Mr Simbo Olorunfemi, at the end of its 14th Biennial Conference of the Fellowship held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

A number of issues of concern to the church and of national interest were discussed at the conference and the PFN resolved on the need for the government to live up to its constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property, especially in the face of herdsmen clashes and the killings in southern Kaduna.

The PFN noted, with appreciation to God, “the journey of the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria, from its humble beginnings to the dominant position it now occupies in Christendom and expresses deep appreciation to the founding fathers of the Fellowship for their vision, sacrifices and tenacity in the pursuit of unity within the body of Christ.

“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is concerned with the state of the Nigerian economy and the hardship being experienced by Nigerians. It calls on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to mitigate the pain of Nigerians, curb inflation, stem the tide of unemployment and find solution to the exchange rate that has eroded the value of the Naira.

“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria wishes President Muhammadu Buhari a speedy recovery and quick return to his desk to carry on with the task of addressing the challenges presently facing the nation,” the statement read.

To serve with Dr Omobude are Bishop Francis Wale Oke, as deputy national president; Apostle Emmanuel Kure, national secretary; Reverend Felix Meduoye, national treasurer; Bishop Goddy Okafor, deputy national secretary; Reverend Michael Tosin-Oni, national financial secretary; and Alex Izinyon, SAN as national legal adviser. Others include Pastor John Ayodele, internal auditor; Bishop Emma Isong, publicity secretary; Archbishop John Praise Daniel, welfare officer and Dr Mercy Ezekiel as national prayer coordinator.

The PFN leadership and General Assembly expressed appreciation for the work done by the Omobude-led National Executive Council during its first term in office and voted for it to continue to lead the fellowship.

The PFN conference, at which thousands of Christians from Nigeria and abroad participated, had in attendance the acting President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo; the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki; leaders of the Pentecostal community in Nigeria, including Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, and Bishop David Oyedepo.