By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on Tuesday reiterated its call to prayer, repentance, and righteous living among the citizens in the face of current hardship in the country.
According to the Fellowship, through prayer, fasting, and the preaching of the Word, the people can build a just society, noting that darkness cannot overcome light.
The National President of the Fellowship, Bishop Francis Wale Oke made the call while speaking during the PFN National Executive Retreat tagged Uyo 2025, currently holding in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The retreat, which also heralds the 40th anniversary of the PFN scheduled for October 27, 2025, is themed ‘PFN: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’.
Expressing deep concern over the prevailing economic and social challenges in the country, which he said is calling for urgent divine intervention, the Cleric said only God’s intervention can rescue Nigeria from its present difficulties.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity to Bishop Wale Oke, Akinwale Aboluwade, the event is focused on rededicating the nation to God for spiritual and national renewal.
Bishop Oke was quoted as saying, in the statement, “This year marks 40 years of the PFN’s founding. God has used the Fellowship to impact Nigeria in many ways. We are here to celebrate God’s goodness with praise, prayer, and the word. We believe God will use PFN as His instrument of mercy to deliver Nigeria.”
He noted that the country is at a critical juncture, citing widespread insecurity, economic instability, the declining value of the naira, and increasing emigration, popularly known as the ‘Japa syndrome.’
“We are at the threshold of history. Nigeria faces many existential threats. But we know the pillars of the earth belong to the Lord. If He steps in, there shall be light,” he said, quoting 1 Samuel 2:8.
Bishop Wale Oke emphasized the role of the Church in national healing, referencing 2 Chronicles 7:14. “The time to act is now. May the PFN be God’s instrument of mercy in this season.”
He urged PFN members to use the retreat to strategize for the remaining three years of the current administration and to intensify their spiritual efforts at all levels—national, state, and local.
“We must not continue like this. A change is coming, and though we don’t know how God will do it, we believe He answers prayers.”
The statement concluded with a renewed call to prayer, repentance, and righteous living. “Nigeria needs healing. That’s why we are here. Through prayer, fasting, and the preaching of the Word, we can build a just society. Darkness cannot overcome light—there will be light at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria.”
