It was a day of multiple celebrations for Bishop Imoh Umanah, General Overseer of the King’s Faith Assembly, Port Harcourt, on November 29, as he was consecrated into the bishopric office by a foremost Pentecostal leader, Archbishop Idem Ikon.
Apart from being consecrated as a bishop, his wife of 35 years, Idongesit (Aidee) Umanah, was also consecrated as an apostle. On the same day, Umanah also celebrated the 30th anniversary of his calling into full time ministry, his 35th marriage anniversary, as well as his 65th birthday.
Ikon, while decorating him with the bishopric robe charged him to be much more committed to his evangelistic and shepherd’s duties, even as he challenged him to be ready be dedicated to serving God and man in ways he never did before.
Ikon, the General Overseer of Revival Valley Ministries is regarded as the grandfather of Pentecostalism owing to his role in mentoring scores of current Pentecostal leaders like Archbishop Emmah Isong and the renowned music icon, Aity Dennis Inyang, whose husband was also proclaimed a bishop designate at Umanah’s consecration.
Aity, popularly known as the lady of songs, who is also an honorary special adviser to the Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, performed live with her team, setting the hall on fire with earth moving worship and praise sessions.
Prof Aniekan Ekere who preached at the event urged Christians to imbibe the culture of paying more attention to the things ahead, instead of allowing themselves to be weighed down by challenges of life, especially events that had passed.
He underscored the need for Christians to assist one another, particularly in making sure that nobody around them suffered hunger. He said whereas people had the right to be poor, nobody had the right to be hungry.
Niger Delta music icon, Asu Ekiye showed up at the event, while many other artistes performed and added colour to the event. Bishop-designate, Eme Afia as well as members of the Women Connect, the group of female Christian leaders, showed their presence to honour one of their own.
The celebration shifted to Ikot Udo Obobo village, Ukanafun Local Government of Akwa Ibom State on Monday, where the new bishop and the wife were received by elders and the entire Akpan Umanah family, believed to be the single largest family compound in West Africa.
A carnival float of some sort was staged in their honour, as the bishop rode in a motorcade, from the village’s primary school to the famous Anwa Uyo Junction, the mammoth crowd moved to the Umanah family compound. Dr Tana Umanah, who heads the Umanah dynasty in Lagos, said it was the first time that the Ukanafun village would be having a bishop, hence the massive celebration.
Head of the Akpan Umanah family, Chief Utibe Akpan Umanah, who received the bishop and the team from Port Harcourt, said it was a thing of honour for a son of the family to become the first to be so consecrated in the entire village.
He rained blessings on him and urged the young ones to emulate the lifestyle of the bishop whom he said had made the Umanah family and the entire Akwa Ibom proud.
