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Tag: PFN

  • PFN hails suspension of Corporate Governance Code

    PFN hails suspension of Corporate Governance Code

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday hailed  the Federal Government for suspending  the enforcement of the  Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

    The PFN’s commendation is contained in a statement issued  in Benin by its National President, Rev. Felix Omobude.

    Omobude lauded the suspension of the implementation of the law pending a detailed review, extensive consultation with stakeholders and reconstitution of the FRCN board.

    Omobude said: “The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has consistently expressed its concern at the non-inclusive process that brought about the code and the all-pervasive nature of it.

    “This is more so, especially, as it relates to the activities of the non-profit sector whose activities are already regulated by the provisions of the law under which they were registered.

    “The PFN has maintained that in view of the inability of the FRCN to achieve the necessary buy-in from concerned stakeholders on the code of governance and address legitimate concerns raised by many, it is wrong for it to have proceeded to enforce its implementation.

    “The PFN notes the concern among many with respect to portions of the suspended code interpreted by some to have limited the tenure of pastors and other spiritual leaders.

    “We are confident that all the contentious issues will be reviewed under the process ordered by the Federal Government.

    “While the PFN respects the right of the appropriate government agency to make laws for the good of all; it states, emphatically, that it will not sleep on its rights, especially as it affects the freedom of worship.”

    The PFN president pleaded for calm, restraint and understanding on the part of all Christians and for continued prayers for the year 2017 to be one of greater peace and prosperity for all Nigerians.

  • Umana, PFN shocked by collapse

    Managing Director of Nigeria Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Umana Umana, has expressed sadness at the collapse of a building belonging to Reigners Bible Church in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

    The police, last night, confirmed 27 dead in the incident.

    Several were injured and are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    In a telephone interview with our reporter, Umana said he received news of the collpase with shock.

    He said: “I received news of the accident with shock. It is sad and tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of victims, even as I confirm my condolences to the state government and the people of the state.”

    Also, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged its churches to hold special prayers for Reigners Bible Church.

    PFN’s State Chairman Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia gave the directive in a statement yesterday in Uyo, the state capital.

    The statement reads: “The Pentecostal community shares the pain of Reigners Bible Church at the sad event of the collapse of its building during the Bishopric Ordination of its presiding pastor, Bishop-Elect Akan Weeks, and stand with them in prayers and support.

    “The PFN urges all Pentecostal churches to hold special prayers for the church in their services on December 11.

    “Furthermore, the PFN urges all churches to take special offerings for the medical assistance of those injured and send same to the Reigners’ Bible Church. Church members who can are also urged to donate blood, where necessary, to those in hospital and make other donations as may be required in the course of treatment of those injured.

    “We assure Reigners Bible Church that they are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and may this cloudy period give way to a new dawn of hope for the church.”

  • PFN kicks against sale of national assets

    PFN kicks against sale of national assets

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Cross River State, has kicked against the proposed sale of national assets of the country.

    Chairman of the fellowship, Dr Lawrence Ekwok, speaking on the occasion of a solemn assembly in Calabar, the experience of sales of such assets in the past had never had a favourable outcome.

    His words, “Before taking a position on this, I would enjoin us to recall that past, ask questions about what happened to Nigeria’s national assets that were sold under the guise of commercialization and privatization in the past. I will graciously venture to remind you about what happened.

    “Apart from the fact that the assets were grossly undervalued due process was not followed in most of the sales as “powerful” government officials and businessmen were the ones who “bought” most of the assets and most of the funds that were supposed to accrue to government coffers never came in.

    “A few examples will suffice. The Ajaokuta Steel Company for instance was built than at the cost of 3.3 billion dollars, but was sold for 250 million dollars to a Russian company known as Rusal. As if that was not enough daylight robbery of Nigerians, only 130 million dollars of the 250 million dollars was paid. Nothing has been heard about the balance till date. Delta Steel was valued by BPE at N225 billion but was sold at N4.5 billion naira only.

    “Let me not bore you with stories of other national assets that were sold including Volkswagen of Nigeria Limited, Daily Times of Nigeria, Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, Nigeria Reinsurance, NICON Insurance etc.

    “According to reports, of a total of well over 100 companies owned by the Nigerian people otherwise known as national assets that were sold, only a paltry N301 billion was realized and out of this amount, N36.1 billion was spent on transaction cost, based on this scenario therefore, Nigerians must today reject and resist vehemently this planned daylight robbery called proposed sale of national assets. It is not only a wicked and selfish call, it is evil and devilish. The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Cross River State, there totally rejects that calls for the sales of national assets, particularly the NLNG and the NNPC. The call for the sale of these national assets grossly undermines the collective destiny of the people of the Niger Delta region. Therefore the sale must not be contemplated and must never happen.”

    He also urged that something be urgently done about the free fall of the naira.

    According to him, the way out of the present recession in Nigeria is humility, transparency, honesty of purpose and total commitment to the Nigerian cause by the present Nigeria leadership. “This will mean admitting their leadership limitations and seeking help rom Nigerians, including those who may or may not be in the same party with them,” he said.

    He said as a church, they will continue to do what the Bible enjoins them to do, which is to continue to pray for those in authority.

    “My prayer today is that may we all, including Nigerian leaders, be humble and turn away from our wicked ways as individuals and as a people so that the God of Heaven may hear and answer our prayers in Jesus name. Amen,” Ekwok said.

  • PFN: Enugu, Zamfara killings unacceptable

    PFN: Enugu, Zamfara killings unacceptable

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has described the killings of innocent Nigerians in Enugu and Zamfara states as unacceptable.

    It expressed worries that killings in the name of religion have become popular and attractive.

    President of PFN, Dr. Felix Omobude, in a statement in Benin City said law enforcement agents have become helpless in reining in the extremist elements carrying out what it termed barbaric, riotous and criminal acts.

    Omobude urged security agencies to arrest perpetrators and bring them to book or “it would appear that some people seem to assume they are above the law and can always get away with murder and arson.”

    He added: “The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is concerned that while efforts are being made to build a united Nigeria, some people seem determined to pull back the hands of the clock, cause division and hatred on account of differences in religious persuasion and ethnicity.

    “We urge the government to prioritise safety of all and security of everyone, irrespective of what they believe or where they hail from.

    “Again, we call for the immediate apprehension of anyone directly or remotely connected with the barbaric acts, followed by a speedy application of the law to serve as deterrent to others.

    “We call on all Christians to remain calm and continue to conduct themselves in the same peaceful and orderly manner in which they have always conducted themselves.

    “We urge them to ensure that they continue to show respect for the faith of others in their community, at all times and appreciate their values.”

     

  • PFN urges Oyo workers to embrace dialogue

    PFN urges Oyo workers to embrace dialogue

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress to embrace dialogue with the Oyo State Government and shelve the ongoing indefinite strike.

    The Chairman of PFN, Oyo State chapter, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun spoke while addressing reporters at the headquarters of Victory International Church, Rehoboth Cathedral in Ibadan.

    The NLC has embarked on an indefinite strike to demand the  Immediate withdrawal of all “trump-up charges” levelled against some incarcerated labour leaders and to rescind its decision to sell-off any public schools in the state, among others.

    According to him, we are not saying the government is wrong or that they do not have good intention to improve the standard of education, but it is just the way they communicated it to the masses that was wrong.

    Adelakun, who is also the presiding Bishop of Rehoboth Cathedral, Ibadan said two wrongs does not make a right, pointing out that the labour leaders too were wrong for unleashing terror on the government officials at the proposed stakeholders forum.

  • Kano killing: Justice must be served, says PFN

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called for the prompt prosecution of everyone directly or indirectly connected with the killing of 74-year-old Mrs. Bridget Agbahime at Kofar Wambai market in Kano last Thursday.
    It said the “bunch of criminals who reportedly accused her of blasphemy” must be arrested and prosecuted without delay.
    National President, Rev. Felix Omobude, in a statement through his media adviser, Simbo Olorunfemi, said: “This is one barbaric act that demands immediate apprehension of everyone directly or remotely connected with it, and a speedy application of the law to serve as deterrent to others so callous and criminal-minded.
    “We have equally received the report of the arrest of some people alleged to be prime suspects in the case, but we urge the Inspector General of Police and security agencies to go beyond the arrest of a few, and ensure that all who participated in the evil act are apprehended and brought to justice.”
    Condoling with the deceased’s husband, Pastor Mike Agbahime, and family, the PFN prayed for comfort and strength for them at this difficult time.
    It appealed for calm on the part of all Christians, especially those in the North, assuring them that “all organs of the PFN are closely monitoring developments in this case.”
    The PFN also urged the Federal Government to step up efforts to guarantee that Nigerians are protected, irrespective of faith, ethnicity or place of residency.
    “The provisions of the laws are very clear on the freedom of religion; this cannot and should not be breached, under any circumstance, by elements given to criminality.
    “Justice must not only be done in this case, but manifestly done, so that an end can be put to crime.”

  • Abducted PFN pastor released

    Some gunmen who abducted a pastor with a Pentecostal church in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Dr Walter Ibe, from his home on Saturday, have released him.

    The abductors were said to have demanded N5 million ransom to set him free.

    Ibe, who is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Sciences in the Federal College of Education, was said to be in his home on Saturday night when the gunmen seized him in his sitting room and whisked him away in the presence of his family.

    The abductors, who reportedly drove a Toyota Camry to the cleric’s home, were said to have taken him away in the boot of his Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    Police spokesman John Eluu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the abductors contacted the family and demanded N5 million ransom.

  • PFN demands prosecution of herdsmen for carrying arms

    PFN demands prosecution of herdsmen for carrying arms

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Cross River State has called on the Inspector General of Police to, as a matter of urgent national interest, arrest and prosecute all gun-carrying Fulani herdsmen.

    This, the Christian body said, was because the carrying of arms without license violates the laws of the land.

    A communiqué signed by the Chairman, Rev Lawrence Ekwok, and Secretary, Apostle Frank Umo, also strongly condemned the attack and killing of people in the Middle Belt and southern parts of the country by the Fulani herdsmen.

    The communiqué reads: “We call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency ensure the arrest and immediate prosecution of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.

    “PFN in Cross River calls on the various legislatures to enact legislations against free movement of destructive animals such as cows in their states.

    “The Cross River House of Assembly should enact a bill prohibiting any portion of the Cross River State land to be forcefully taken or otherwise for the purpose of grazing cattle as it will attract negative consequences on the economy and lives of Cross Riverians.

    “PFN CRS calls on all members of the National Assembly in the state to resist the National Grazing Reserve Bill in view of its negative economic consequences on the indigenes of the state, and on our already fragile pressure on our land.”

    The statement also opposed the proposed Executive Bill by Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State, which it said was designed to restrict all forms of preaching in the state.

    “Such a Religious Regulation Bill is contrary to the provisions of Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution,” it said.

  • PFN to IGP: Prosecute Fulani herdsmen for carrying arms

    PFN to IGP: Prosecute Fulani herdsmen for carrying arms

     

     

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Cross River State has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to as a matter of urgent national interest, arrest and prosecute all gun-carrying Fulani herdsmen.

    This Christian body said was because the carrying of arms without license violates the laws of the land.

    A communiqué signed by the Chairman, Rev Lawrence Ekwok and Secretary, Apostle Frank Umo, issued to The Nation in Calabar Tuesday, also strongly condemned the attack and killing of people in the middle belt and southern parts of Nigeria by the Fulani herdsmen.

    The communiqué read, “We call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency ensure the arrest and immediate prosecution of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.

    “PFN in Cross River calls on the various legislatures to enact legislations against free movement of destructive animals such as cows in their states.

    “The Cross River House of Assembly should enact a bill prohibiting any portion of the Cross River State land to be forcefully taken or otherwise for the purpose of grazing cattle as it will attract negative consequences on the economy and lives of Cross Riverians.

    “PFN CRS calls on all members of the National Assembly in the state to resist the National Grazing Reserve Bill in view of its negative economic consequences on the indigenes of the state, and on our already fragile pressure on our land.

    “PFN CRS strongly condemns and opposes the proposed Executive Bill by Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State designed to restrict all forms of preaching in the state. Such a Religious Regulation Bill is contrary to the provisions of Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution.

    “PFN CRS condemns in very strong terms the new trend of Muslims abducting Christian girls and forcing them into marriage and conversion into Islam.

    “PFN CRS rejects plans by the Federal Government of Nigeria to fund the 2016 budget deficit from an “Islamic Compliant” loan.

    “PFN CRS condemns the decision of the Kano State governor to use Sunday for sanitation in the state. This is a deliberate poly to hinder Sunday worship by Christians in the state.

    “PFN CRS opposes the alteration of the school curriculum of Nigerian schools with the intention to exclude the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge in schools.

    “It is our hope and prayer that all stakeholders of our country will work for the common good, well-being and continued unity of Nigeria.”

     

  • PFN commissions new secretariat at 30

    PFN commissions new secretariat at 30

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) last week dedicated an ultra-modern secretariat christened Bishop’s Court in Lagos to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

    National President of the body, Rev. Felix Omobude, said the secretariat represents the faithfulness of God as well as the efforts of the past leaders.

    He described the successful completion of Bishop’s court as eloquent testimony of the vision, love, sacrifice and commitment of PFN founding fathers.

    Omobude said the seed of unity among Pentecostals in Nigeria that gave rise to the birth of PFN has become a point of reference and a beacon of hope for the country.

    Omobude said: “We pay tribute to our founding fathers for the vision they have, the sacrifice they made and that they will continue to make to ensure that the fellowship continue to grow from strength to strength.

    “PFN played great roles in building Nigerians and served in national development, even as we continue to uphold the nation in prayers and engage with political leadership to further national development.”

    He said the body has distributed relief materials worth over N17million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the northeast affected by Boko Haram attacks.

    This and other efforts, he stated, has made the PFN a worthy partner in nation-building.

    Akwa Ibom governor, Emmanuel Udom, said the Pentecostal community in Nigeria has been a major spiritual plank in the evolution of the country as a peaceful multi-religious and multi-ethnic entity.

    Udom dismissed the notion that church has no place in the affairs of the country.

    He said even mature democratic countries with strict wall of separation between the church and the State acknowledge the role of God in the affairs of the nation.

    The governor thanked PFN for the great work to define, distill and project the unifying ingredients of Nigeria in spite of the tensions and machinations of the forces that would have seen Nigerians divided and splintered along sectarian lines.

    The body also presented N250, 000 to Miss Josephine Ugwu, a cleaner at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos for returning N12million found in a toilet to the owner.