Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria (PFN), a major block within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced elaborate plans to celebrate Rev. Uma Ukpai, a founding member of the association, who died on Oct. 6.
PFN which marks its 40th anniversary this month, said the late Rev Ukpai was billed to be the sole speaker at the celebration which it said would be held in Lagos adding the celebration was to honour the late evangelist’s selfless service and numerous contributions to the association which he helped to establish.
The National Secretary of the association, Bishop David Bakare, who stated this Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital while addressing a press conference, said the celebration of the endless contributions of the late Rev Ukpai would also be held in Abuja and well as in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital where the PFN founding member has set up his ministry, the Uma Ukpai Evangelical Association.
Bakare who spoke on behalf of the national president of the association, Bishop Wale Oke, said the 40th anniversary of PFN would also feature awards and thanksgiving, adding that it would be an opportunity to honour the late founding member of the association.
“The PFN is 40 and lined up programs for the 4th anniversary, beginning from 19th of this month in all our states nationwide, also on the 223rd in Lagos as a national base because it was the crusade of our father , Pa Uma Ukpai that gave birth to the Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria.
“And so we cannot do the 4th anniversary in any other place except first in Lagos, as a matter of fact, Rev Uma Ukpai was billed to be the only speaker at that event but on the 6th of this month, he went to be with the Lord.
He said the national president of the association immediately visited the wife the late evangelist adding that he also directed that he should lead a delegation of the national body of the association to visit the wife of the late evangelist.
“We have however thought it right that we should officially break the news to Nigerians right from here in Uyo to be able to make the world know that the announcement of the homegoing of Baba is not fake. The PFN wishes to officially announce that we have actually confirmed that our father has gone to be with his saviour that he loved so much.”
He said Uma Ukpai was not only a gift to Nigeria but to the to entire world
In a statement by the national publicity secretary of the association, Dr Sylvanus Ukafia, the association said the passing of the late evangelist came on the eve of PFN”S 40th anniversary, which he said reminded them of the great heritage of faith laid by our founding fathers.
“In honour of his legacy, , the PFN at 40 thanksgiving celebration shall be officially dedicated to his memory, as a national thanksgiving unto God for the gift and treasure he was to our generation,’’he said.
