. Their powers, myths, lifestyles & links

.The compliments & controversies surrounding them.

Akwa Ibom is a religion inclined state. Being a predominantly Christian domain, churches have prospered a great deal in the state.

In the state, over the years, a plethora of Pentecostal Churches have sprung up, tending to diminish the age long influence of the orthodox ministries.

NEWS LINK reporter, SIGNOR EMEDU unearths the top twelve Pentecostal Pastors in the state and reveals what he found out about their power base, lifestyles and the myths surrounding their operations…

Archbishop Cletus Bassey

The immediate past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter and the Prelate of Destiny Mission International Inc., Archbishop(Dr) Cletus Bassey is a conspicuous man of God who has carved out a niche for himself as far as church ministering is concerned in the state.

As a child, he was more involved in activities of the Roman Catholic Church. Expectedly, he focused his mind on becoming a Roman Catholic priest, began serving in Mass and living with priests, one of which was the well-known Francis Offiong. He also became deeply involved in the Catholic Youth Movement.
As it turned out to be, Bassey started worshipping in Pentecostal circles and eventually caught up with its brand of worship.

He later proceeded to the United States of America where he trained for the pastoral service. By the time of his return to Nigeria in 1996, Bassey had equipped himself with degrees and certificates in theology and church administration from among others, LOGOS Christian College and Graduate School, Jacksonville, Florida, where he earned a Masters degree in Theology and Trinity College of Ministerial Arts, where he bagged a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in Church Administration.

He founded both Destiny International Missions and Vision Christian Institute and Seminary first in United States before bringing them to Nigeria in 1996. Both the college and the church have in the short period of time impacted immensely on the Nigerian and American societies.

Archbishop Bassey was an Apostle as at when His Lordship (Dr) Camilus Etukudo, Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene was the Chairman of CAN. After the transfer of his Lordship, Dr. Camilus Etukudo to Port Harcourt, Cletus Bassey became a Bishop in fulfilment of the condition of becoming the Chairman of CAN.

His tenure as CAN Chairman drew him closer to politics and men in power as he maintained closely knitted relationship with ex- Godswill Akpabio and his then Secretary to Government, Obong Umana Umana. He currently keeps a warm relationship too with Governor Udom Emmanuel.

However, he courted controversy during the bill-up to the 2011 gubernatorial election in the state when he openly endorsed Akpabio of PDP to the anger of then ACN faithful who felt he was dragging the revered CAN into the muddy waters of politics.

During the endorsement service which was held at his church, Destiny Chapel International located within the highbrow Ewet Housing Estate, Archbishop Bassey presented Akpabio with a key he spiritually termed as the key to Hilltop Mansion and anointed the ex-governor with oil.

The endorsement ran Akpabio’s rival for Hilltop Mansion, Senator John Udoedehe insane, with the fiery Uyo politician famously labeling the Archbishop’s anointing oil as ‘condemned oil’ – in a bid to rubbish the endorsement.

Although it went bloody at some point, Akpabio went ahead to win the second term election.

Rev Uma Ukpai

Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai is an Uyo based International Evangelist, a televangelist and a Preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Born (January 7, 1945) in Ohafia, Abia State, Dr. Uma Ukpai is the founder and president of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association(UUEA), located at General Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; a ministry he started in his palour at Plot A, Unit 106 Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, with just few members. The ministry however, has birthed many visions such as Scchool of Theology, Printing Press, Hospital, etc.

His crusades around the world attract crowds and he is known for amazing miracles of healing and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

However, the cleric has often got into hot water with some Akwa Ibomites who feel his major visions (the hospital and tertiary institution) are all located in his homeland.

A couple of years ago in an interview with a national newspaper, Ukpai said poor men of God did not receive divine calling.

According to Ukpai, “Jesus calls church business. He said, ‘I am about my father’s business’. He called church work business and what is business? Business is investment plus gain, minus loss. In church planting, no pastor can collect offering without giving account and survive. Every church has elders and the job of the elders is to make sure that account is given; it is not even publicly but given internally but the account must be given.

“Church is all about investment and the gain they make is not in money but in people; that is the gain they make. People also can be called money because for instance, if a pastor’s ministry can cause 20 women to get pregnant; those women will not forget the pastor. If a pastor’s ministry can produce one of the richest 10 men in the country, those men will not forget the man who made them what they are.

“When you are into ministry and you have what we call anointing, you have become profitable; you begin to touch lives; you begin to bless people; you begin to change the stories of families and your own story will change also because the man that waters others shall be watered by God. There is so much misinformation about the church. It is not all about money. If your pastor has anointing that can make the blind see, cripples walk, leprosy to disappear, that pastor is in money”.

The man of God recently revealed too that there were several mysteries surrounding his childhood some of which he said he cannot explain till today.

He said: “As a child, I was fasting for seven days when a man saw me and stopped me and said you are going to be a preacher, you are going to have eight children but two will die in a motor accident, you will go as far as building schools and you will cross all the continents of the world”.

According to those close to him, all these have taken place. Ukpai even recounted the sad passing away of his children in another chilling interview recently.

Ukpai recounts: “On our way to a crusade in my village, my driver carrying my children and a cousin, drove into a river.

“ I attempted to bring the children out, not knowing that my wife also jumped into the river behind me and water carried her, threw her up six times. It was at the seventh time that somebody called my attention to her. I used one hand to swim and the other to hold her and brought her to shore. I rescued the children later. They had died; because a child stays under water only for two minutes.

“I put them in a car to pray for them, but an oncoming car from the opposite direction drove into the car and smashed it. The bumper flew out, the bonnet flew out. I stopped and I was pacing up and down, not knowing what to do next.

“Just then, somebody ran to me, grabbed me and said my 50-sitter bus carrying my band had caught fire. He was not sure how many people died in the accident. I was composed because God had warned me. I didn’t make those children. God gave them to me. All that I had, now have and will ever have is given by God. And His will is supreme.

When I proceeded to the crusade venue to preach, people were asking me what will you preach? We have been driving on that same road for years and that driver had been my driver. If God, over the years, protected us and decided to lower the hedge one day, why should I protest? So, I marched on!”.

Rev Sylvanus Ukafia

In April 1997 Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia, a medical doctor and university lecturer left a promising career in medical practice to answer the call of God to the ministry.

That call led him to establish the Insight Bible Church – a word-based, Bible teaching church where the word of God is taught in love with simplicity and wisdom to produce visible results in the lives of people.

According to the church directory, Insight Bible church was established in pursuant of the biblical mandate of evangelizing and discipling people for the kingdom of God (Matt. 28: 18-20).The church started with a handful of men and women who were committed to the vision of spreading the understanding of God. Over the past 20 years, Insight has grown into a large mission with a number of branches within and outside Akwa Ibom State.

Reverend Ukafia is a son to the late pioneer Paramount Ruler of Eastern Obolo. H.R.M Ubong (Apostle) Dr. Owen Sylvanus Ukafia Ede VI (JP) and former Chairman Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs.

Two years ago, the man of God and wife welcomed a set of twins after many years of waiting marriage. After many years of waiting patiently, they welcomed a set of twins ( One boy and one girl).

Reverend Abel Damina

Flamboyant Pastor, Dr. Abel Hankuri Damina is the pastor and founder of Abel Damina Ministries, a.k.a Power Chapel in 1992.

According to the church directory, God spoke to Dr. Abel Damina to “feed my sheep, for they are hungry; I’m raising a quality people who will stand their ground and not fail me”.

Now known as Power City International Church, it has its headquarters at 98 Nwaniba Road, Uyo with an ultra modern state of the art facility that seats 5,000 persons. Running 3 services every Sunday, Rev Dr. Abel Damina runs one of the biggest churches in Uyo.

Damina is married to Dr. Rachel Damina and together they have three young daughters, the up-coming Triple J Plus singing sensation.

Some years ago, Damina was traumatized when one of his teenage daughters was kidnapped. Recounting the story to a national daily sometime ago, the flashy cleric said the  abduction of his daughter was the most challenging period of his life.

He said: “I know what it is like to wake in the morning, and see your daughter prepare for school. Then, she gives you a goodbye kiss, and that was it. The next thing I heard was my Personal Assistant calling me and asking if I had spoken with Jaen. Then I asked her what for? Then she said she’d been kidnaped. I replied that it wasn’t true.

“Before my PA called, gunmen came into my house with AK47. We shut all the doors because we thought they were armed robbers. We started praying before they left. We were still busy celebrating and thanking God that they didn’t harm any of us before I got the call. Apparently, it could be that my daughter ran into the gunmen while she was leaving the house for school, and she was abducted.

“The armed men called me later, demanding for a ransom of N50million and I told them that I’ve never seen N50million before in my life. The negotiation continued and they held her for seven days. She was fine. At the end of the seven days, she was released. When they didn’t release her on the sixth day, I was fed up of the whole thing. I couldn’t take it anymore and had to go into prayer and told God that if she wasn’t released the next day, I’d pick up my box and leave the Church for good. Because it would be clear to me that my ministry was over.

“I was destabilized. My wife couldn’t take it anymore. She just left her Bible on the TV, watching the TV to distract her mind. I was making up my mind to leave when I heard the kids screaming Jaen. Then I jumped from my bed and it was my daughter. She came in a different cloth and I hugged her. The kidnappers gave her the clothes. She wore her school uniform before she was kidnapped. But they gave her a jean and a T-shirt. She told me that they didn’t hurt her. Rather, she was fed with rice everyday and was ordered to boil her bathing water herself, something she’d never done in her life. But she had mosquito bites all over her body. She came back a different person, a more grown up girl”.

Recently, Governor Udom Emmanuel directed that a certificate of origin from Itu LGA be issued Damina to henceforth authenticate his stay in Akwa Ibom state as an indigene.

The governor extended this gesture to the man of God at his silver jubilee marriage anniversary which took place at his church. The visibly elated governor who was the special guest of honour on the occasion accompanied by members of the state executive council during his speech asked Damina to choose which of the LGAs in Akwa Ibom State that he intends to belong and Damina said that he would love to be an Itu indigene.

Apostle Nyenime Andy

Apostle Nyeneime Andy was born in the mid 70’s into the family of Elder Eno Andy of Aka Offot in Uyo local govt. Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. As the first son in his family, he studied in Christ the King nursery school where he obtained his first school certificate. He went on to Lutheran High School Obot Idim, Ibesikpo in Akwa Ibom State, where he obtained his Junior Secondary certificate and then furthered for his senior secondary at St. Mary’s Science College and obtained his W.A.E.C Certificate. His passion for education was intensified and so he continued his studies at the University of Uyo. While a student, he was appointed into the students governing body on campus.

In 2002, Apostle Andy had an encounter with God like Paul, the Apostle, in the bible. Ever since then he has left everything to follow God. He is the senior Pastor of a fast growing church in Akwa Ibom called Holy Ghost Ambassadors Ministries international.

Currently, he serves as the Youth leader in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Uyo senatorial district Akwa Ibom state branch.

Two years ago, his well publicized prophesy saying Governor Udom Emmanuel will emerge victorious in court was viewed negatively when the Appeal Court gave the Akwa Ibom governor a temporary set-back  when it nullified the election and ordered a re-run.

However, the Supreme Court spared the governor and indeed Pastor Andy’s blushes when it certified the election in a legal battle that went down to the wire.

Apparently relieved, the man of God said the Supreme Court ruling was the answer to those who doubted his earlier prophesy that the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel would emerge victorious.

In his words: “Today, ministers have been vindicated. Udom is not governor today because he was hungry but because he was ordained by God just like David was choosen by God to lead His people.
According to Apostle Andy, Akwa Ibom people would enjoy good leadership because God always sends his words.

“What I declared for Udom was not out of excitement. I will stand for the truth no matter what it cost me and the church was committed to pray for Udom”.

Bishop Josephine Eggah

The presiding Bishop and founder of New Birth Bible Church, Bishop (Dr). Josephine Eggah is unarguably the female preacher in the state with the biggest church in Akwa Ibom.

Her New Birth Bible Church is also one of the biggest churches in Uyo.

On March 2017, the woman of God celebrated twelve years of Bishopric ministry at the church headquarters in Uyo with thousands in attendance.

Bishop Eggah said that her Ministry has focused on the divine mandate of elevating mankind from the state of nonexistence to stardom with Christ gospel as the lifting power.

The female Bishop explained that since the church existence, it has recorded overwhelming result in the areas of soul winning and soul development as well as the introduction of other social service programmes for the benefit of members and non members of the church.

She added that the church has also established Home for the Aged as part of her ministry’s effort to impact positively on the lives of the aged in the society, particularly those ones who do not have anyone to look after them.

Two of her family members – her husband and son are both pastors in the church.

Rev. Mrs Angela Ashong

Her  God’s Ambassador Outreach Missions, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo may not be one of the biggest churches around, but this woman of God has made a name for herself as far as Pentecostal ministry is concerned in Akwa Ibom State.

The young Angela attended Loreto Girls’ Juniorate, Eriam, Afaha Obong, Abak before proceeding to study at the University of Uyo.

She is married to a University Don, Professor Ashong Ashong who is also a pastor in her God’s Ambassador Outreach Missions.

Ashong has over the years built a status for herself as far as CAN or PFN politics is concerned in Akwa Ibom. In 2009, during the consecration of Bishop Cletus Bassey, she was chairman of the consecration committee and has maintained a close relationship with those at the helm of affairs as far as CAN or PFN is concerned, keeping her very relevant in the scheme of things.

She has also kept a close touch with successive state administrations making her highly sought after during state functions.

Bishop Isaiah Isong

Bishop Isaiah Isong, the Prelate of Christ Believers Assembly Inc. is a key member of the CAN and PFN set up in Akwa Ibom State.

Isong is famous for his horn or trumpet blowing during his worship services or prayer sessions.

The bow-legged man of God has  carved a niche for himself as far as CAN and PFN affairs are concerned in Akwa Ibom.

Isong has also warmed his way into the hearts of those in the corridors of power in the state.

During a state executive prayer meeting held at the state Government House Chapel; Latter House Chapel during the days of the election petition tribunal, the Prelate issued seven red cards to the enemies of the Governor and those of the state, stating that no one can dethrone the state governor by any means.

Pastor Uwem Inyang

Pastor Uwem Inyang’s RockWater Pavilion Church has an impressive congregational growth rate in Uyo, ranking tops as one of the fastest rising churches in the metropolis.

The church building of RockWater Pavilion located on Oron Road immediately after MayFlower School is an architectural masterpiece that will rank as one of the finest in this part of the country.

Pastor Inyang was born on the 23rd of August 1973. He holds both B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Architecture from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is married to Aniema and is  blessed with two girls and a boy, Mehetabel, Jeriah and Joel.

He is also a Pastor by calling and is pioneering a thriving ministry where he is literally transforming the lives of a great many with the preaching and teaching of God’s word.

Archbishop Elijah Mboho

Archbishop Dr. Elijah Akpan Mboho is widely regarded as the pioneer Pentecostal Minister in Akwa Ibom.

His Goodnews Evangelical/Correspondence Crusade Team was founded in May 1975 while his world famous Gospel Village founded few years after that, is a modern day City of Refuge where orphans are housed and cared for by the man of God.

The Gospel Village has a school, hospitals and hostel for the orphans.

Early this year, there were worries over the true health status of the Archbishop. There were fears that the prominent man of God has passed away.

The fear over health status of the Archbishop was fueled by his lack of appearance in public events since the church finished their last Christmas convention held at the Goodnews International Headquarters in Abak.

The fears were unfounded as Mboho was alive and kicking.

Rev. Ntia I. Ntia

Rev. Ntia I. Ntia is the founder of Full Life Christian Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The Ibiono Ibom born preacher is a University of Calabar graduate of Accounting.

He was born on Tuesday the 21^st day of March, 1972 at Ikot Ekpene into a Christian home of Dr. and Mrs. Ime Okon Ntia of Ididep Usuk.

After finishing his nursery and primary education at Holy Child International School in Ikot Ekpene, he later proceeded for his secondary education at Federal Government College in Minna.

“In the north, my Christian experience was shaped. The Islamic pressure in the north was a furnace for firing up violent Christianity in my spirit”, he said in an interview recently.

Having dumped his Accounting degree for church work, Ntia soon became a Pastor to reckon with at Helen Ukpabio’s Liberty Gospel Church in Calabar.

He soon left Liberty Gospel Church to establish the popular Full Life Christian Centre.

With a call to “stir men into the fullness of God”, Rev. Ntia preaches the word of God with a rare audacity and an unflinching authority.

His Full Life Christian Centre will easily rank as the fastest growing church in Akwa Ibom.

He is married to Ukamaka, an Anambra State indigene and they have three children; Favour, Dunamis and Dominion.

Few years ago, he offered himself to be abducted when dare devil kidnappers accosted his family and attempted to whisk away his wife. Rev Ntia instead told the kidnappers to take him away instead. They did and went ahead to demand a hefty ransom rumoured to have run into millions of naira.

Apostle Akan Weeks

Apostle Akan Weeks of the Reigners Bible Church Int’l Inc, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital had the misfortune of having his church auditorium crumble on worshippers who had assembled to witness his consecration as Bishop last December.

The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel alongside plenty government dignitaries were part of the congregation that day. Governor Udom narrowly escaped unhurt but about 25 other worshippers died in the church collapse which will forever be remembered as a dark day in the history of the state.

The result of the unfortunate incident was a public outcry for the man of God to be prosecuted because of the loss of lives. He was accused of rushing the construction of the building to accommodate his timetable and guests who had already arrived from afar.

The man of God pleaded for mercy and said he wasn’t interested in the Bishopric consecration again.

“Please, this is not the time to crucify me; I’m still your brother, Reigners Church family, I’m still your pastor. The enthronement was cancelled completely and I am not interested.

“Please let us rise and pray. I really sympathize with the departed soul. Once I’m out of my hospital bed, I will come on air and we will pray together…” , Weeks pleaded.

Barring the unfortunate incidence, the Etinan born Weeks had definitely done enough to rank as a top preacher in the state as his influence was on the rise. Apart from his close relationship with the governor which was a thing of envy to many, Apostle Weeks’ million naira Velodrome would have been the first of its kind in Akwa Ibom State.

Will the Reigners Bible Church cleric be forgiven for the unfortunate incident? Will he rise again? Only time will tell.