Yemi Davids Led Lagos PFN Exco Marks One Year in Office with Thanksgiving Service, Gives Stewardship Account, and Sets New Goals

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State Chapter Executive celebrated its first anniversary under the leadership of Pastor Yemi Davids. 

The anniversary began with a press conference addressed by the state chairman, Pastor Yemi Davids and some exco members, where the one-year performance of the administration was highlighted and reviewed. Also, to set future goals for the fellowship in Lagos State.

In his address, Pastor Yemi Davids stated that, within one year, the administration has worked to rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and position PFN as a unifying voice in the church and the nation. “We discovered that over the years, there had been a deep communication gap among members and that gave room to misinformation and doubts about the PFN activities with its relevance in Lagos State, but we have been able to bridge the gap through transparency and robust communication”. 

Speaking further, he said reconciliation has been a major area his administration prioritises and has achieved great success, which has strengthened the bond and unity among members. “Communication and dialogue have gone a long way to helping restore relationships with churches and pastors who had in the past distanced themselves from PFN and its activities”, he said.

During the first anniversary thanksgiving celebration service held on Sunday, 31st August 2025, at the Global Impact Church. The Chairman reiterated that PFN is an umbrella body of the Pentecostal Churches in Lagos State and a subsidiary of its national body. It will use the anniversary to review its works and projects for the future. Also, to develop the message content and religious teachings that transform people’s lives, combat corruption, and promote a renewed sense of patriotism among Nigerians.

Stressing the importance of leadership development, Pastor Davids noted that, “a transformative leader will transform people” and said, “Apart from specialized training for teachers of Sunday School in PFN churches; practical, proactive, and series of training to impact value-based and leadership training to influence the minds of people and touch the annals of our country, including the children, youth, and other disciplines are both held to equip church leaders in guiding their members. We plan for a Town Hall meeting for leaders, where issues can be discussed, and they can express their stance on doctrinal issues or matters concerning the fellowship.

He emphasised that, over the past year, Lagos PFN has intensified its involvement in social interventions, citing examples of sponsoring an N8 million surgery and, recently, the over N40 million relief materials and food items to victims of the Benue State crisis as a contribution to national welfare. “Beyond interventions, the message must reach communities through deliberate communication”, he said.

Also speaking at the press conference was the Vice Chairperson of the Lagos Chapter of PFN, Rev. (Mrs.) Jane Onaolapo said that, through the abilities of its Central Working Committee (CWC) and provincial leadership, PFN has become more pronounced and visible in the social and spiritual lives of its followers.

According to her, “we are not leaving any stone unturned, with the new orientation reaching the younger generations, we have, through some programmes on morality, politics, and social issues, caught them young. Also, PFN has embarked on other projects, and free medical care for the indigent to revamp its obligations to the society”, she said.

In his contribution, Dr. Dele Ajayi, the Chaplain of the Church of the Light Chapel, said the Church is not a military formation. We are spiritual people, and we are to pray, evangelise and orient the minds of people to position them in the right direction. When people have a relationship with God and have the right values, the country will be a better place. The long-term intervention for churches is to train their people, and we are successfully doing this. When we talk of people, they didn’t fall from Mars, or Mercury, or Jupiter; they are from us, from our churches, our mosques, and communities.  

Pastor Akin Akinpelu, speaking on politics and governance, said, “We must understand that PFN, as part of the society, is a spiritual house with immense moral power, organisational structure, and grassroots presence. When it comes to politics and governance, PFN is non-partisan and cannot be partisan; it is practical in values and beliefs without being partisan. “There is a department that has to do with politics and governance. That department has gone to all the local governments to work with them on value-based grassroots interaction and collaboration”, he said. 

While stating that PFN relies on media platforms to promote its civic responsibility and amplify its values, he urged Christians to be actively involved in politics and governance.

The Coordinator of Lagos State PFN Women Wing, Apostle Josephine Femi-Asiwaju, stated that, in Lagos and Nigeria, the church cannot go far without a place for women. The percentage of women is higher, and has made the PFN Lagos State Women Wing more visible through impressive awareness, collaboration, training and networking. There is an expectation to bridge the gap between the old and younger generations. To bridge the gap in PFN, whatever we do in the women’s wing, we replicate what the men are doing to impact the lives of women beyond the pulpit, so that everyone will know and experience the church. 

“By God’s grace, in the coming year, we desire to do more, have more impact, and influence. This is what the women have achieved. They are becoming themselves, who they are, their identity element, and understanding that they are not just women, but have a part to play in society, and are not usually sitting down to hear what they say. Rather, they are coming out to become a voice and feel important, contributing to society”, Asiwaju stated.

Rev. Iyke Ejiaku, the Chairman of PFN Alimosho Province, explained that the present relative peace and progress being enjoyed by the body can be attributed to the flow of communication and the peaceful posture of the state.

Ejiaku appealed to the tiers of governments to initiate projects that would foster public good and give a sense of belonging to the people. “Of late, the Church has been more visible in society and in the rehabilitation of street urchins to make them better persons in society. He called for media presence and collaboration to report on most of these activities for public awareness and information.

Responding to a question, the Lagos PFN Secretary, Rev Udoh, quoting the Bible, said, When it comes to tribal issues, people are divisive before talking about others. But Christ has called us out of every tribe and tongue, and we need to understand that this is the devil’s ploy against us. We should downplay that and focus on the real deal. 

“There is no Yoruba petrol station, there is no Igbo yam market, or Hausa Super store, and it will be gross ignorance to begin to be led by such things. Over the years, it has always been that when elections are fast approaching, the issue arises. The church has done a great deal in this regard. Besides, the moment one dies, it doesn’t matter where you come from, you are headed in one direction”, he said.

He added that there’s more to be done, and we need to keep talking to ourselves and our hearts. “We have a cultural problem that is beyond the economic problems; it is governmental, societal, and spiritual”.

Meanwhile, reflecting on the achievements, challenges, and the future of the fellowship, Pastor Davids called on pastors to balance their messages and what they say every Sunday. “We have an opportunity for national transformation because we speak to people at least twice a week, and the content of our messages has to be robust to help cultural shift, and if the shift campaign begins from the church, we are preaching healing that will make changes in our society”.

He frowned at the negative expression on the country, and he said, The next phase of our campaign and online engagements is to keep injecting things people need to know about moral behaviour, and being a blessing to others and the country. “When you pull others down, it’s not for you to rise; you’re pulling yourself down, and when you do something that blesses others and the country, you’re blessing yourself. As Nigerians and spiritual people, this is a principle we have to teach ourselves”.

“You can complain about the governments, but it starts with you. You can be critical of issues, but not to curse the country. What are you doing about your own community and environment? People do many things, and you wonder, is this by the president, or by the government?”, he queried.

Pastor Davids lamented that corruption is not unique; it is societal and spiritual. It is found where there’s poverty of values, greed, and selfishness. Anyone greedy or selfish is vulnerable to corruption, and it’s unfair to associate it with a particular party, ethnic group, or religion. 

“We all love good roads, good security, and good schools. We must start orienting ourselves with the right perspective. Nigeria is a great country, and the church has a role to play in transforming the country. It’s a matter of time, something good will come out of this country, but we must learn to behave, greet people, and pray,” he admonished.