Felix Omobude
{{Short description|Nigerian televangelist and author}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| office = 6th President of PFN
| term_start = 2013
| term_end = 2021
| predecessor = Ayo Oritsejafor
| successor = Francis Wale Oke
| deputy2 = Francis Wale Oke
| name = Felix Omobude
| birth_name = Felix Ilaweagbon Omobude
| honorific_prefix = Reverend
| image = File:FELIX ILAWEAGBON OMOBUDE.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1946|03|14}}
| birth_place = Evbuobanosa (formerly known as Owa) in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria
| occupation = Preacher and Author
| denomination =
| title =
| spouse = Mrs. Abiola Theodora Omobude
| children = Reverend Ebenezer Omobude and Sarah Omobude
| website = [https://www.glimng.org/about-us/rev-felix-omobude/ Felix Omobude]
| religion =
}}
Felix Ilaweagbon Omobude (born March 14, 1946) is a Nigerian Christian leader, preacher, and the General Superintendent of Gospel Light International Ministries.{{Cite web |title=Felix Omobude Archives |url=https://guardian.ng/tag/felix-omobude/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Godwin |first=Ameh Comrade |date=2017-02-10 |title=PFN returns Omobude as president for another four years |url=https://dailypost.ng/2017/02/10/pfn-returns-omobude-president-another-four-years/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2017-01-15 |title=Rev. Dr. Felix I. Omobude - GLIM - New Covenant Gospel Church |url=https://www.glimng.org/about-us/rev-felix-omobude/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Naija |first=JoJo |date=2021-11-21 |title=Top 10 Most Influential Pastors In Edo State |url=https://jojonaija.com/top-10-most-influential-pastors-in-edo-state/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Jojo Naija |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Godwin |first=Ameh Comrade |date=2017-02-10 |title=PFN returns Omobude as president for another four years |url=https://dailypost.ng/2017/02/10/pfn-returns-omobude-president-another-four-years/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Church |date=2020-07-26 |title=Edo 2020: Vote wisely, Omobude tells electorate as Obaseki visits religious leaders for prayers - Church Times Nigeria - News, features and more |url=https://churchtimesnigeria.net/edo-2020-electorate/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=sunnews |date=2016-03-13 |title=Dr. FELIX ILAWEAGBON OMOBUDE- I WENT TO CRUSADE TO MOCK ARCHBISHOP IDAHOSA, BUT GOD ARRESTED ME |url=https://sunnewsonline.com/dr-felix-ilaweagbon-omobude-i-went-to-crusade-to-mock-archbishop-idahosa-but-god-arrested-me/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Inyang |first=Ifreke |date=2013-02-09 |title=Oritsejafor announces Omobude as new PFN president |url=https://dailypost.ng/2013/02/09/oritsejafor-announces-omobude-as-new-pfn-president/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}
Early life
Felix Ilaweagbon Omobude was born on March 14, 1946, in Evbuobanosa (formerly known as Owa) in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Despite growing up in humble circumstances as the third child in a family of fourteen children, he developed a passion for education and a desire to help others in their educational pursuits.{{Cite web |last=punchng |date=2019-05-26 |title=Buhari should correct lopsided appointments, boost agric — PFN President, Omobude |url=https://punchng.com/buhari-should-correct-lopsided-appointments-boost-agric-pfn-president-omobude/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=punchng |date=2018-12-22 |title=Anti-graft agencies should be truly independent — Omobude, PFN president |url=https://punchng.com/anti-graft-agencies-should-be-truly-independent-omobude-pfn-president/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Adedipe |first=Adeyinka |date=2021-10-21 |title=Nation Building: Nigeria needs divine Intervention, says Omobude |url=https://punchng.com/nation-building-nigeria-needs-divine-intervention-says-omobude/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=sunnews |date=2016-03-13 |title=Dr. FELIX ILAWEAGBON OMOBUDE- I WENT TO CRUSADE TO MOCK ARCHBISHOP IDAHOSA, BUT GOD ARRESTED ME |url=https://sunnewsonline.com/dr-felix-ilaweagbon-omobude-i-went-to-crusade-to-mock-archbishop-idahosa-but-god-arrested-me/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en}}
Education
Omobude completed his Full Technological Certificate from the City & Guild of London Institute in 1974 and earned a Certificate from the Council of Engineering Institute Examination in London. He furthered his theological studies at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, obtaining a Certificate in Theology in 1981. Later, in 1984, he earned a Ph.D. (D.Min) from the same institute. In 1986, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from San Antonio Theological Seminary in the United States.{{Cite web |last=II |first=Administrator |title=Buhari salutes PFN president, Felix Omobude at 74 – Blueprint Newspapers |date=17 March 2020 |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/buhari-salutes-pfn-president-felix-omobude-at-74/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Buhari Felicitates with Ex-PFN President, Omobude, at 75 - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/03/14/buhari-felicitates-with-ex-pfn-president-omobude-at-75 |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=A servant of God, working tirelessly to improve others: Buhari hails Omobude - P.M. News |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/03/14/a-servant-of-god-working-tirelessly-to-improve-others-buhari-hails-omobude/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Okoro |first=Churchill |date=2021-01-10 |title=Nigeria is getting worse by the day under Buhari's watch – PFN |url=https://businessday.ng/life/article/nigeria-is-getting-worse-by-the-day-under-buharis-watch-pfn/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}
Ministry and leadership roles
Omobude served on the pastoral team of the Church of God Mission International under the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa before establishing the Gospel Light International Ministries (New Covenant Gospel Church) in 1988. The ministry has its international headquarters in Benin City, Nigeria, and has branches across the nation and beyond.
Omobude has been actively involved in various national and international Christian organizations. He served as the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and as a member of the National Board of Advisors for the PFN. He has also held positions such as the National Representative for ICARE Inc. in Yuma, Arizona, USA, and a member of the Board of Elders for Faith Community Churches International in Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Family life
Omobude is married to Pastor Mrs. Abiola Theodora Omobude, a gospel singer and preacher. They have two children, Reverend Ebenezer Omobude and Sarah Omobude.
Publications
- You Are His Choice
- Flaming Fire
- A Cry in the Wilderness
- The Holy Spirit
- Spiritual Maturity
- I Sat Where They Sat
- Releasing the Power of the Tithe
- The Power of an Endless Life
- Whose Son Are You?