By Raphael Okhiria, Bassey O Bassey
The General Superintendent of the Gospel Light International Ministries – New Covenant Gospel Church, Rev. Dr. Felix Ilaweagbon Omobude is in a celebration mood as he marks his 80th birthday anniversary with pomp and ceremony.
Born on 14th March, 1946, at Owa village, now Evbuobanosa town in Orhiomwon local government area of Edo State, he started life like a gentle flame which later transformed into a mighty oasis where people in their millions are enjoying the good things of life.
The former national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr. Felix Omobude’s 80th birthday anniversary celebration can aptly be described as an event with many branches. This is so because although the D-DAY of the birthday celebration was Saturday, 14th March, 2026, held at Peniel Convention Centre of the church but the birthday programme was characterized by several activities, including but not limited to football matches among the various districts of the New Covenant Gospel Church in Edo State.
Others were the Felix Ilaweagbon Colloquium and Book Presentation at the Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa, a Night of Praises at Peniel Convention Centre, and the 80th birthday Thanksgiving Service. All these birthday activities spanned nearly two weeks courtesy of Papa Omobude’s spiritual children, friends and well-wishers.
Besides, several orphanages in Benin City, inmates of the Correctional Centre in Oko and the inmates of Ossiomo Leprosarium in Ogan received food items, clothing materials and other consumables while free healthcare services, including free drugs were made available to needy in different locations in the state. Indeed, in the Evbuobanosa community alone, over 200 men, women and children received free medical counselling, treatments and drugs courtesy of Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude.
But like what was a bombshell, Papa Omobude on Thursday at the ceremonial hall of the Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa shocked the dignitaries when disclosed that at a point in his life, he sold newspapers on the streets of Benin to fund his education.
He revealed this on the Fire side chat with Papa by the youth community during a colloquium to mark his 80th birthday celebration.
According to Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, being a newspaper vendor back then was because he wanted to go to school.
He also narrated how he also went to pluck cherry while his mates were all in school just because his parents could not afford it, announcing happily that the same spot he used to pluck cherry during school hours is now the place where Lighthouse University is permanently located.
He noted that all his childhood experiences and poor family background shaped his life and made him a better person, adding that, having been blessed by God, he decided to set up institutions, including GLIM Bible College, Covenant Christian Academy and Lighthouse University where he can make life better for Nigerians, even the less privileged in the society.
Omobude who is the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Lighthouse University, pointed out that the best decision he has ever made in his life was to have given his life to Christ.
He said such singular action changed his entire life for good, urging youths to give their lives to the same God who has turned his life around.
He further urged Nigerians to always keep dreaming big, stressing that the day one stops dreaming, that marks the end of his life.
The former PFN president also urged Nigerians to see challenges as part of man’s existence, noting that, life without challenges, becomes boring but however, in all the challenges, God always makes out a way.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, LightHouse University, Prof. Osemwegie Osarenkhoe Omorefosa appealed to political actors and traditional institutions to join in the advocacy for a review of the present laws to allow private universities to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He also called on well meaning Nigerians to contribute their quota in the forms of building of hostels, library, granting of scholarships etc, noting that throughout history, great institutions have always thrived through the partnership of visionary leaders and philanthropists and global citizens who believe in the power of education to transform societies.
Prof. Omorefosa added that universities such as Harvard, Oxford and others became global forces largely because individuals of means and influence invested generously in the future.
Speaking on the theme: “Faith, knowledge and education: Panacea for freedom and national development”, the keynote speaker, Prof. Omokhoa Adeleye, said knowledge and education are keys to national development.
He noted that despite the challenges faced by christian schools, they are still waxing stronger and contributing immensely to economic growth in the country.
Prof. Adeleye, while urging christian individuals to build more christian institutions, said they must exceed the minimum standard set by the National Universities Commission (NUC), desist from examination malpractices and be example of excellence and efficiencies.
Adeleye further appealed to religious bodies that run institutions to be bold enough to speak against the ills in the society when the need arises.
Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Felix Ilaweagbon Omobude.