Prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; State governor, Seyi Makinde; Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, on Tuesday joined political, religious and traditional leaders to celebrate the 70th birthday of the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Archbishop Francis Olubowale ‘Wale’ Oke.
Bishop Oyedepo delivered the sermon at the special thanksgiving service, themed, “Engaging the Power of Thanksgiving for a Greater Tomorrow.”
He charged Christians to make thanksgiving a lifestyle, stressing that gratitude to God was a pathway to greater grace, strength and divine preservation.
Citing passages from Psalms 92 and 103, Oyedepo said life, health, peace and salvation were gifts from God for which believers must continually give thanks.
He described thanksgiving not merely as a religious ritual but as a spiritual weapon for sustaining God’s blessings and moving believers from one level of grace to another.
He described thanksgiving not merely as a religious ritual but as a spiritual weapon for sustaining God’s blessings and moving believers from one level of grace to another.
Oyedepo declared that those who remained planted in God would flourish, experience renewed strength and fresh anointing, and triumph over their adversaries.
He also warned believers against pride, urging them to acknowledge divine grace as the source of their achievements rather than attributing success solely to personal ability.
“Grace brought you to this point. Grace will take you higher,” he declared.
The service featured special musical ministrations in honour of the celebrant, with renowned gospel ministers, Dunsin Oyekan and Nathaniel Bassey, leading the congregation in worship and songs of thanksgiving.
Seventy trumpeters from Ilorin also thrilled guests with a special musical rendition to mark the Archbishop’s 70th birthday.
Obasanjo, in his remarks, described the gathering as a family occasion and joined the congregation in giving thanks to God for Oke’s life and ministry.
Makinde said the Archbishop’s prayers, counsel and support had been invaluable to his administration since he assumed office in 2019.
He wished Oke many more impactful years in good health and prayed for fresh anointing upon his life and ministry.
Aiyedatiwa described the Archbishop’s strength at 70 as evidence of God’s grace.
He recalled meeting Oke as a young believer in Ibadan in 1988 and later reconnecting with him during his political career.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, represented by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, described Oke as an illustrious son of Ibadan and one of the generals in God’s end-time army.
Oba Ladoja commended the Archbishop for more than four decades of preaching, writing, broadcasting and Christian leadership, as well as his contributions to the development of Ibadan through educational institutions established by the Sword of the Spirit Ministries.
He also praised Oke’s leadership of the PFN and his impact on the Christian community and society at large.
Other dignitaries at the celebration included representatives of the governors of Delta, Bayelsa and Enugu States; representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji; and political leaders, including 2027 Oyo State governorship aspirants- Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi.
The thanksgiving service was followed by a grand reception, where family members, friends, church leaders, political associates, traditional rulers and other well-wishers continued the celebration of the Archbishop’s life and ministry.
At the reception, gospel artistes, Tope Alabi and Blessing Lopez, entertained guests with special musical ministrations.
Responding to the outpouring of goodwill and tributes, Oke expressed gratitude to God for His faithfulness and appreciation to the dignitaries, church leaders, family members and well-wishers who honoured him.
He described every breath of life as a gift from God and prayed for longer life, good health, greater strength and divine blessings for all those who joined him in celebrating his milestone.
The Archbishop particularly appreciated Obasanjo, Makinde, Aiyedatiwa, Oyedepo, leaders of the PFN, church fathers and his wife, Reverend Victoria Oke, for their support, prayers and encouragement over the years.
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