Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has poured encomiums on the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude, describing him as a man of God who provided a platform for young Nigerians to acquire skills in technical education.
Speaking at a fund raising dinner for Rev. Felix Omobude Foundation in Benin City, as part of activities to mark Rev. Omobude’s 70th birthday, Governor Oshiomhole said, “Sir, I have come with my wife and some of my friends in government to celebrate with you sir. I felicitate with you on behalf of the people of Edo State and the government of Edo State.
“There are many who are seventy but they can’t see, they can’t remember, they can’t feel, no appetite. It is not just a fact of being seventy; it is a fact of looking as healthy as you look. If we were to be in America, I would have been tempted to believe that you are a beneficiary of those plastic surgeons, but I know that in Nigeria, we don’t resort to plastic intervention.
“In Nigeria, many of our people die before the age of twelve months, the adults under fifty. God has chosen to preserve you for us so that you will continue to lead us and to bring all of us closer, and to use your power to remind us that we are nothing, except that that God wants us to be.”
According to him, “I have had the privilege of visiting the Light House Polytechnic, and I saw for myself how and what God can use an individual, not in government, not using state resources, to impart on the community that is otherwise not even in the world map, and today, that community is in the world map. The pastor who led us in prayer reminded us that the most important gift you can give to anyone is education. In fact, it is the only one you cannot retrieve. Even when you are angry, you cannot take it back.
“And the challenge we are facing today in this country is not so much about the problem of unemployment. You have chosen to set up an institution that will provide opportunity for our young ones to acquire technical skills which the nation state needs to drive our economy in a world that is knowledge driven and knowledge based.”
He added, “So, as you devote all your knowledge and your talents preaching and spreading the gospel, you also manage to provide a platform for people to acquire skills as a means to meet the rigours of life. You could have chosen to buy the latest vehicle in town, to acquire all those good things that could enhance your personal luxury, but you have chosen to invest in an area that will not give you profit. The practical way you serve God is also the practical way you encourage us that we all can contribute to socio-economic development of our country without going through a political process.
“Just to say, sir, that we are truly proud of you, and let me use the opportunity to say I am very proud of all our pastors, all our men of God, all our reverend fathers, bishops.”
In his remarks, the celebrant, founder of the New Covenant Bible Church, and President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude expressed gratitude to Governor Oshiomhole and everyone who had come to honour with their esteemed presence and celebrate with him.
He said, “Your Excellency, I want to thank you very sincerely. You do what you are doing because of the deep conviction you have. I must thank you, your Excellency and the rest of your entourage who have come this night because of my person.”
