By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Following the announcement of the passing on of charismatic evangelist Rev Uma Ukpai this week, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has said it would hold a posthumous thanksgiving service across the 36 states for the late preacher.
Ukpai is regarded as the founding father of PFN when his popular Great Lagos Crusade, more than 40 years ago gave birth to the Fellowship
PFN President, Bishop Wale Oke told a press conference in Uyo yesterday that the Thanksgiving celebration would also be used to celebrate other PFN icons whose efforts saw to the growth and expansion of the gospel and the Fellowship.
“Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) was born from a historic crusade staged by the late Rev Uma Ukpai in Lagos.
“So, on the 19th, being the Sunday of this month, all the 36 states of Nigeria plus the FCT will hold a thanksgiving service and an award service to celebrate all icons who have been of great blessings to the PFN. And of course, in all the 36 states plus the FCT, Baba will be officially celebrated.
”And if you are part of that service, you will see what we’re going to do. We’re going to celebrate, we’re going to rejoice, we’re going to give thanks to the Lord for giving us such a great icon that we can never forget.” Oke explained.
The president who was represented by PFN National Secretary, Bishop David
Bakare, who also formally announced Ukpai’s death by the PFN expressed gratitude to God that the Fellowship could now boast of over 60 million members across Nigeria and in the diaspora while it had planned to celebrate it’s 40 years anniversary this month before Ukpai’s demise.
“PFN is one of the major achievements of Papa Uma Ukpai, and it is his first born. Uma Ukpai was a wonderful gift to the church and the entire world. Our celebration of 40 years will be what Papa Uma Ukpai stood for.
“Today, PFN has over 65 million members across all chapters in the 36 states of Nigeria. We are 40 years old and this celebration coincides with the glorious home call of the man of God whose evangelism in Lagos City gave birth to this organisation.”
He disclosed that Rev. Ukpai was slated to be the keynote speaker at the anniversary celebration, scheduled for October 23, 2025, at the Redemption City Hope Arena in Lagos, where the organisation was founded.
