The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Omobude

  • Obaseki will not Islamise Edo, says Omobude

    President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rev. Felix Omobude, has dismissed insinuations by opposition parties that the All Progressives  Congress (APC) candidate  in the September 10 Edo governorship poll, Godwin Obaseki, plans to Islamise the state.

    Obaseki, Omobude said, cannot impose any religion on the state, dismissing talks by the opposition parties in that direction as no-issue.

    Omobude spoke when Obaseki paid a courtesy visit to his office in Benin City.

    According to him: “The issue of anybody imposing religion on the others in Edo state is not an issue.

    “Predominantly, this state is more of Christian so we are not afraid.

    “I think it beholds on all political officer holders wherever in the country to be fair to all and not to be seen as pushing one against the other.”

    Commending the governorship hopeful for his electioneering, he said:  “I have watched your campaign and I appreciate your objectivity and candour added to it.

    “One can only pray that this election continue to be peaceful and that the one that God has chosen will take its place and power comes from God.

    “Continue on the way you have been conducting your campaign.”

    On his part, Obaseki said claims that he had plans to Islamise the state were lies sponsored by oppositions.

    He said the freedom of religion is constitutional and no one has the right to impose a certain religion on others.

    Obaseki said: “I noticed that there has been a bit of misinformation. They say it is part of politics but that is what we have to clean up.

    “The first issue has to do with religion. Our constitution is clear on religious freedom and it gives us the right and freedom to practice what they believe in.

    “The constitution doesn’t allow you to impose your own belief or religion on any other person particularly the state.

    “So when people come and talk about someone with an agenda to impose a certain type of religion on people, it is to misinform people and create crisis and confusion.”

    The APC candidate added: “Also when they argue and make a devious point that a Christian has the agenda to impose Islam on his fellow Christians it doesn’t make sense. It is not true and it is bad politics.

    “One other unfortunate issue that has been peddled is about the state imposing taxes on religious activities. That again is wrong.

    “The status is clear. Churches, mosques, religious bodies are not supposed to pay tax and they don’t. This is false and wrong.”

  • Tribute to Omobude at 70

    Everyone who knows Dr Felix IlaweagbonOmobude, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and General Superintendent of Gospel Light International Ministries will agree that he is a man of deep wisdom and insight. He is a man routinely acknowledged for his integrity and who never leaves you in doubt about what he stands for.

    Birthdays are major milestones in the life of humans and for this reason these dates are marked and celebrated. Dr Omobude is not open to celebrating his birthdays, but as he clocks 70 on March 14, 2016 it is essential that we reflect on a worthy life and pay tribute to an inspiring and true Man of God.

    I was drawn to him by his preaching on television in the early 1990s. Till date, the incisive biblical teachings presented in current socio-political contexts, and the rich mix of subjects that emerge from his preaching remain very inspiring. Indeed, at times after hearing him preach one feels like it is time to fashion whips and overturn the tables of the money changers in the houses of God and in political offices. Besides the clear Bible-based substance of his preaching, Dr Omobude is a psalmist who has composed many worship songs. He is also a poet, with his poetry emerging from his choice of words and by the iterative presentation of core concepts in his messages. Needless to say that after more than two decades of sitting to learn at his feet, one craves for more!

    From his book, Flaming Fire, we learn that Dr Omobude’s passion for evangelism and missions took root in him from his early days as a Christian and under the pastoral oversight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, then head of Church of God Mission International.

    Troubled by the dehumanising situation of lepers begging on the Benin – Lagos and Benin – Sapele highways in early 1997, Dr Omobude set up the Life Lift International as the humanitarian arm of Gospel Light International Ministries.

    In its relief efforts, Life Lift has responded to disasters within and outside Nigeria. Help was sent to victims of fire outbreak at Aviara 1 Community in Edo State where over 100 houses were gutted and the Jesse pipeline fire of 1998 that killed about 1000 persons and left many others injured, it also sent relief to earthquake victims in Haiti (2010) as well as contributing relief in the case of the Fukushima tsunami/nuclear accident in Japan in March 2011.

    As already noted, Dr Omobude is passionate about  missions and this can also be seen in his academic pursuits. Although he has an electrical engineering background, his doctoral dissertation at the San Antonio Theological Seminary, United States of America, was on the subject, Mission to the Third World. He believes strongly that education is the major key for the emancipation of man.

    As we reflect on Dr Omobude’s 70th birthday anniversary, the words of Dr Carl Conely, President, LifeLink International and of Faith Community Churches International, USA, comes to mind. According to him, “Dr Omobude is the perfect example of a faithful son and a loving, nurturing father. Multitudes of ministers in Nigeria and around the world look to him as a father and are quick to obey his loving direction.”

    Happy birthday and many happy returns.

     

    • By Nnimmo Bassey

    Benin, Edo State.

  • Oritsejafor, Omobude, others to pray against kidnapping

    Oritsejafor, Omobude, others to pray against kidnapping

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr. Felix Omobude, will next week lead over 100,000 Christian clerics and faithful to Benin City to pray against kidnapping.

    They will also pray to God to solve other problems and prosper the country.

    The one-week spiritual event will hold at the Gospel Light International Ministries (GLIM) – New Covenant Gospel Church, Benin City, Edo State from October 28 to November 3.

    According to a statement by Dr. Omobude, who is also the President-General of the Gospel Light International Ministries, the prayer is part of the one-week annual convention of the church, tagged: “Bible Alive Believers International Convention (BABIC)” with the theme: “Triumphant Always”.

  • Omobude is new PFN president

    Omobude is new PFN president

    The President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has announced Rev. Felix Omobude as the new President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

    He made the announcement on Friday at the end of the PFN’s 12TH National Biennial Conference held in Uyo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Oritsejafor was until this announcement, the PFN president for three years.

    He appealed to members of the PFN to give the new president the maximum support to enable him to “shepherd the flock.’’

    The outgoing PFN president urged the church leaders to expunge corruption from the church to keep it pure.

    Prior to his elevation, Omobude was the General Superintendent of New Covenant Church in Benin City, Edo State.