…NATHANIEL BASSEY, DUNSIN OYEKAN, TOPE ALABI, 70 TRUMPETERS, AND OTHER TOP GOSPEL ARTISTES CELEBRATE ARCHBISHOP AT GRAND THANKSGIVING IN IBADAN.
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo; and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja and the Alaafin of Oyo, on Tuesday joined a high-powered gathering of 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.
According to a statement issued by the Media Bureau of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, the landmark celebration, held at Cornerstone City, Ibadan.
It brought together dignitaries from across Nigeria, including government officials, political leaders, church fathers, traditional rulers, captains of industry and members of the Christian community, who gathered to honour Archbishop Wale Oke for his decades of dedicated Christian ministry, leadership and contributions to society.
Bishop David Oyedepo delivered the sermon at the special thanksgiving service with the theme, “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 scriptures copiously from Psalms 92 and 103, Bishop 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 declared that those who remained planted in God would flourish, experience renewed strength and fresh anointing, and triumph over their adversaries.
Bishop Oyedepo 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.
Adding colour and spiritual depth to the service in honour of the celebrant, were renowned gospel ministers Dunsin Oyekan and Nathaniel Bassey who led the congregation in powerful worship and songs of thanksgiving, with the 70 trumpeters from Ilorin thrilling the Guests with sonorous and special musical rendition.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in his remarks, described the gathering as a family occasion and joined the congregation in giving thanks to God for Archbishop Wale Oke’s life and ministry.
Governor Seyi Makinde said Archbishop Wale Oke’s prayers, counsel and support had been invaluable to his administration since he assumed office in 2019. He wished the Archbishop more impactful years in good health and prayed for fresh anointing upon his life and ministry.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the celebrant’s strength at 70 as evidence of God’s grace. He recalled meeting Archbishop Wale Oke as a young believer in Ibadan in 1988 and later reconnecting with him during his political career.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, described Archbishop Wale Oke as an illustrious son of Ibadan and one of the generals in God’s end-time army.
The Olubadan commended his over four decades of preaching, writing, broadcasting and Christian leadership, as well as his contributions to the development of Ibadan through the educational institutions established by the Sword of the Spirit Ministries. He also praised Archbishop Wale Oke’s leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and his positive impact on the Christian community and society at large.
Among the other dignitaries at the celebration were representatives of the Governors of Delta, Bayelsa and Enugu States; representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the 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 superlative reception, which provided another opportunity for family members, friends, church leaders, political associates, traditional rulers and well-wishers to celebrate the life and ministry of the Archbishop.
At the reception, renowned gospel artistes;Tope Alabi and Blessing Lopez entertained the gathering with special musical ministrations, further adding to the memorable celebration. Responding to the outpouring of goodwill and tributes, Archbishop Wale Oke expressed profound gratitude to God for His faithfulness and appreciation to all 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 came to celebrate with him.
The Archbishop particularly appreciated Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Seyi Makinde, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Bishop David Oyedepo, leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, church fathers and his wife, Reverend Victoria Oke, for their support, prayers and encouragement throughout the years
