The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, formally inaugurated its newly elected Abia State executive, marking a new chapter in the leadership of one of Nigeria’s most influential Christian bodies with a strong emphasis on unity, accountable governance and social responsibility.
The inauguration ceremony, held at The Active Word Assembly Church of God in Christ, 25 Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia, attracted senior clergy, denominational leaders and representatives of the Abia State Government, highlighting the Fellowship’s growing moral and civic relevance in the state.
Representing the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, the Director of Protocol, Elder Godwin Onwueyi, conveyed the goodwill of the state government to the new PFN leadership. He congratulated the officers on their emergence, describing leadership as a call to service rather than a symbol of status. According to him, faith-based leadership requires integrity, humility and accountability, especially in an era marked by social and moral challenges.
He charged the new executive to safeguard unity within the Christian community and ensure that their personal lives reflect the values they publicly proclaim, stressing that the credibility of the Church is inseparable from the character of its leaders.
Delivering a charge on behalf of the National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, the Chairman of the National Inauguration Committee, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, focused on leadership development and mentorship. Citing scriptures from Genesis 28:10–13 and Acts 9:22–25, he noted that leadership in ministry exists to serve people and advance God’s purpose, not to promote personal ambition.
Archbishop Ojo urged the new executive to deliberately create opportunities for emerging ministers, describing leadership as a ladder meant to lift others. He cautioned against careless speech and conduct, calling on ministers to remain disciplined, diligent and spiritually grounded. He also advised the chairman to work closely with the PFN National Vice President, South East, Bishop Maxwell C. Korie, to ensure organisational stability and growth.
Bishop Maxwell C. Korie, who formally dissolved the outgoing executive, commended the peaceful transition and applauded the outgoing leadership for its cooperation and service. He described the election that produced the new chairman, Bishop Ugochukwu Newlife, as transparent and devoid of crisis. Quoting Galatians 6:7, he reminded the audience that diligence and commitment always produce lasting results, and prayed that the efforts of the outgoing executive would remain part of PFN’s enduring legacy in Abia State.
In his valedictory address, the outgoing chairman, Archbishop Chikezie Elekwa, reflected on nine years of leadership, describing the early period of his tenure as demanding and challenging. He recalled inheriting a Fellowship facing significant difficulties but credited God and the collective sacrifices of his team for the renewal and stability achieved. He identified unity, selflessness and shared vision as the pillars of their administration and urged members to give the new leadership the same support.
Archbishop Elekwa expressed confidence in the new chairman, Bishop Ugochukwu Newlife, describing him as humble, transparent and committed, and pledged his continued support for the progress of the Fellowship.
The outgoing Deputy Chairman, Apostle Kingsley Abel, also thanked God for the opportunity to serve and expressed optimism that the incoming executive would build on the solid foundation already laid.
In his inaugural address titled A Paradigm Shift, the new chairman, Bishop Ugochukwu Newlife, unveiled a vision anchored on collective responsibility, unity and spiritual sensitivity. He acknowledged the presence and goodwill of the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, PFN national officers and senior ministers of the gospel.
Bishop Newlife commended the outgoing executive for leaving the Fellowship debt-free and announced that the new administration has already paid PFN national dues for 2026 in advance, setting what he described as a new benchmark for financial accountability.
He outlined a four-point agenda for the next four years, including the introduction of a biannual Abia PFN Conference and inaugural lecture series, the establishment of a PFN Foundation to support indigent pastors and their families, an enlightenment and reconciliation campaign to strengthen membership and heal past divisions, and efforts toward acquiring a permanent PFN Abia State secretariat.
Other initiatives include a structured PFN Hour of Prayer involving members across designated daily prayer times, quarterly zonal prayer meetings across the three senatorial zones, and an annual PFN retreat dedicated to spiritual growth, mentorship and fellowship.
The chairman appealed for unity and cooperation across denominations, stressing that the success of the agenda depends on collective commitment. He also appealed to the Abia State Government to assist the Fellowship in securing land for its proposed secretariat, noting that such support would enhance PFN’s institutional presence in the state.
The event was attended by the Abia State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Ojo Ojo Uduma, alongside other prominent ministers. Special prayers were offered for Nigeria, Abia State and the Church.
The newly inaugurated PFN Abia State executive is led by Bishop Ugochukwu Newlife as Chairman, with Reverend Chukwuma Kalu as Deputy Chairman; Reverend Ikechukwu Ndukwe Daniel, Secretary; Reverend D. C. Obasi, Treasurer; Pastor Barrister Martin Okereafor, Legal Adviser; Reverend Moses Odoemelam, Internal Auditor; Bishop Chika Ezeh, First Vice Chairman; Reverend A. N. Ogbonna, Second Vice Chairman; Apostle Ben Nwankwo, Third Vice Chairman; and Reverend Blessed Amalambu, Public Relations Officer, alongside other executive members.
