The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has expressed worry that with urgent intervention to the prevailing socio-economic and security challenges, Nigeria faces avoidable implosion.
The Christian organisation, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate greater commitment to the implementation of his administration’s policies.
Rising from a four-day special retreat held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the PFN emphasised that the current state of the nation required urgent and tangible action.
PFN urged the federal government to focus less on promises but do more on execution of programmes to restore public confidence and improve the economy.
Speaking with journalists after the retreat, PFN National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, stressed the importance of divine intervention in the affairs of the nation, while also underscoring the role of leadership and governance.
“Our perspective at PFN is that Nigeria needs divine intervention. As a spiritual body, we are committed to praying for the country and the government. However, prayers must be accompanied by decisive action from leadership,” Bishop Bakare said.
Bakare, who is also the Founder of Jesus is Life World Outreach Ministries (JAWOM), Zaria, Kaduna State, noted that while successive governments have made efforts, the country remains in a difficult state.
“Nigeria belongs to God. We will continue to pray for divine guidance and initiative for our leaders—not only to know what to do, but also to have the capacity to do it,” he said.
He noted that while the Tinubu administration had taken steps, such as the approval of forest guards and plans to deploy technology for border security, these initiatives must be backed by visible commitment and execution.
“These are promising policies, but the government must prove to Nigerians that it is serious about implementation. It should not just be about what the government says—it must be about what the government is doing,” he emphasised. “Only then will the people’s trust be restored and the economy begin to recover.”
The cleric added that government must be strategic by sometimes employing both dialogue and decisive action where necessary, stressing the need for investment in job-creating projects while warning that widespread unemployment fuels insecurity.
“When people are engaged meaningfully, there will be fewer idle hands to recruit into criminal activities. Let the evidence of commitment be visible; we will back it up with prayers, and Nigeria will be better for it,” he said.
Bishop Bakare explained that the Uyo retreat was convened to align the national leadership of PFN with the President’s vision, foster internal collaboration, and collectively seek divine direction for the nation.
“It was a platform to unite the leadership, gain their commitment, and harvest their contributions. It also served as a time to pray for the country, the body of Christ, and our host state,” he said.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno who attended the retreat on Wednesday, praised the PFN President, Bishop Francis Francis Wale Oke for maintaining a non-confrontational, yet truthful approach in engaging government.
Governor Eno also solicited prayer and support for his administration.
Prayers were offered for Nigeria, the PFN, and Akwa Ibom State during the retreat.
