President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle on his re-election as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also congratulated church leaders and Christendom for the successful election.
He assured the CAN President that his administration would continue to strengthen the cordial relationship that has existed, especially in tackling the challenges facing Nigeria.
Recalling his meetings with Rev. Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, President Buhari said he believed the cleric’s maturity, humility and wise counsel to governments would go a long way in healing and putting the country on the right track for development.
Read also: Breaking: Ayokunle re-elected CAN President
He prayed that the Almighty God will grant the CAN leadership more wisdom and strength in running the affairs of the association.
The result of Rev. Ayokunle’s election was announced yesterday by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.
Ayokunle got 59 votes to defeat the runner-up, Rev. Caleb Solomon-Ahima, the President of Fellowship of Christian Churches in Nigeria (TEKAN), who got 44 votes.
Ahima, according to the CAN constitution, becomes the Vice-President of the organisation.
Ayokunle was born on January 25, 1957 and hails from Isheke, Oyo, in Oyo State.
He has his first degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan (UI) in 1983, a postgraduate diploma in Education (PGDE) and a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Guidance and Counselling from the same university.
Ayokunle also bagged a Master of Divinity in Theology (M.Div Th) from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, in 1995 before proceeding to the United Kingdom (UK) to obtain a Master of Arts (MA) in Theology and Religious Studies from Liverpool Hope University.
He also obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology with emphasis on liturgical studies.
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