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By Oluseye Ojo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, his Ondo State counterpart, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, yesterday led political, religious and traditional leaders in celebrating the 70th birthday of National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Archbishop Francis Olubowale Wale Oke.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was also represented at the thanksgiving service held at Cornerstone City, Ibadan, which attracted government officials, church leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, captains of industry and other dignitaries from across the country.
The gathering paid tributes to Oke for his decades of Christian ministry, leadership, evangelism and contributions to education and society.
Delivering the sermon on the theme, “Engaging the Power of Thanksgiving for a Greater Tomorrow,” Oyedepo charged Christians to make thanksgiving a way of life, saying gratitude to God remained a pathway to greater grace, strength and divine preservation.
He said life, health, peace and salvation were gifts from God that believers should never take for granted.
According to him, thanksgiving should not be regarded merely as a religious ritual but as an expression of faith capable of sustaining God’s blessings and moving believers from one level of grace to another.
Drawing from Psalms 92 and 103, Oyedepo said those who remained planted in God would flourish and experience renewed strength, fresh anointing and victory over adversity.
He also cautioned against pride, urging Christians to recognise the place of divine grace in their accomplishments rather than attributing success solely to personal ability.
“Grace brought you to this point. Grace will take you higher,” Oyedepo told the celebrant. The service featured a special performance by 70 trumpeters from Ilorin in honour of Oke’s 70th birthday, while gospel ministers Dunsin Oyekan and Nathaniel Bassey led the congregation in worship and thanksgiving.
Obasanjo described the celebration as a family occasion and joined the congregation in thanking God for Oke’s life and ministry.
Makinde, in his goodwill message, acknowledged the PFN president’s prayers and support for his administration since he assumed office in 2019.
The governor wished Oke many more years in good health and prayed for fresh anointing and greater impact in his ministry.
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Aiyedatiwa described Oke’s strength and accomplishments at 70 as evidence of God’s grace.
The Ondo governor recalled encountering the cleric as a young Christian in Ibadan in 1988 and reconnecting with him years later in the course of his political career.
The Olubadan, represented by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, described Oke as an illustrious son of Ibadan and one of the leading figures in contemporary Christian ministry.
The monarch highlighted Oke’s more than four decades of preaching, writing, broadcasting and Christian leadership and commended his contributions to the PFN.
He also acknowledged the educational institutions established by Sword of the Spirit Ministries, saying Oke’s ministry had made an impact in Ibadan and beyond.
Other dignitaries included representatives of the governors of Delta, Bayelsa and Enugu states as well as a representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Also present were Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Bimbo Adekanmbi and other political, religious and business leaders.
Responding to the tributes, Oke expressed gratitude to God for attaining the milestone and thanked the dignitaries and well-wishers who joined him in the celebration.
He described every breath of life as a gift from God and prayed for long life, good health and greater strength for those who came to celebrate with him.
Oke specially thanked Obasanjo, Makinde, Aiyedatiwa, PFN leaders, church fathers and his wife, Reverend Victoria Oke, for their support and prayers over the years.
The thanksgiving service was followed by a reception attended by family members, friends, church leaders, politicians, traditional rulers and other well-wishers.
Gospel artiste Tope Alabi entertained guests with a special musical ministration at the reception.
