The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAN

  • Nigeria overdue for restructuring – CAN

    Nigeria overdue for restructuring – CAN

    The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has thrown his weight behind those calling for the restructuring of the country.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had in his New Year message rejected the quest for restructuring of the country.

    Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, said at the International Workers’ Retreat of the Convention held on Saturday in Abuja that the country is due for restructuring.

    He, however, said the restructuring must be done without fear or favour to all the divides.

    He said: “There is the need to update how we govern ourselves, thus, re-structuring the nation after 57 years is a welcome development. It must be done without bias or prejudice to religion, ethnicity, class or group affiliation.

    “We must develop our home-grown democracy. The present system is a hybrid of the American and British system. It is not working well for us.”

    He also quoted Revelations 21:24-26 which says “the nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor (glory) into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.”

    The cleric said it is clear that every nation in the world has her glory, adding “Nigeria is not left out. Our glory is our pride as a nation.”

    “When we gained independence from Britain in 1960, it was a turning point in our history and a breakthrough for the nation’s glory to burst forth. Our glory shone brighter and brighter after independence as we became the foremost nation in Africa and indeed among the black race.

    “However, at a point, the glory began to fade and we are yet to recover that glory. If we must bring back the glory of Nigeria and rise to more glory as a nation, then effective participation is compulsory for all Christians.”

     

     

  • CAN seeks arrest of Kaduna, Benue violence perpetrators

    CAN seeks arrest of Kaduna, Benue violence perpetrators

    The Northern States chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) on Thursday urged the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of recent killings in Benue and Kaduna States.

    The Chairman, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who condemned the attacks in a press statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, said the government should also take proactive measures to curb future occurrence.

    It said the killing of the District Head of Numana in Kaduna state and 50 people in Benue was condemnable, disturbing and worrisome.

    “We call for calm in both communities and appeal to government to step up security not only in these victims’ communities but the entire country to forestall future killings.

    “CAN is disturbed by allegations of security complacency and should be thoroughly investigated by the government to assuage already frayed nerves.”

    The statement assured the government of the Church support and urged church leaders nationwide to calm their members and report any threat to security to law enforcement agencies.(NAN)

  • CAN urges Nigerians to return to God, restore losses

    CAN urges Nigerians to return to God, restore losses

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Rev. Samson Ayokunle has urged Nigerians to return to God in repentance with a view to heal the Land and restore all losses in the past years.

    Rev. Ayokunle made the appeal in a statement signed by the CAN Head of Media, Pastor Bayo Oladeji yesterday in Abuja.

    “As we begin a New Year together, I congratulate every Nigerian, both the leaders and the led, on being among the living who entered this New Year.

    “As we enter into this New Year, it’s natural to reflect over the previous year and consider gains and losses.

    “In spite of the economic recession, our God did not allow depression to consume us all. We feel with those innocents who met their untimely death within the year as a result of Communities, farms, Churches and Mosques attacks.”

    The CAN president urged politicians to avoid hate and inciting speeches to maintain the unity, peace and tranquility enjoyed by citizens.

    He called on every eligible voter to register for the voters card, adding that it would empower them to elect the right people.

    “If you are involved, you get the leader you demand and if you failed to be involved, you get the leader you deserved.

    “My appeal to the security agencies is to be dedicated and loyal to the nation in their duties. Let there be rooms for gainful employment for our youths roaming the streets.

    “They have what it takes to stop the needless bloodletting in the country. Let there be peace and unity. The three tiers of government should strive hard to make the much-awaited dividends of democracy available to the people.”

    He noted that Nigeria would be a better country if only both the government and the governed upheld justice and the fear of God.

    Rev. Ayokunle prayed for God to direct the leaders to get it right in every facet of life and wished the country peace and unity in 2018.

  • CAN urges govt, security agencies to wake up to responsibilties

    CAN urges govt, security agencies to wake up to responsibilties

    •Next year will be better – Ayokunle

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),  Rev.  Samson Ayokunle, has advised government and security operatives to wake up from their slumber.

    The development is in reaction to the unending fuel scarcity, kidnapping and killings across the country.

    Ayokunle in his christmas message to christians through a statement he personally issued and signed at the weekend in Abuja said: “On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I rejoice with all Nigerians in general and every Christian family  in particular as we celebrate another Christmas in the land of the living and I pray that the joy associated with the season will be your portion in Jesus Name.

    “To us, the joy of Christmas is not limited to His unprecedented and miraculous birth. It is built even more on the triumph of His death and resurrection that gave meaning to His birth because it was His resurrection that gave us hope against every hopeless situation.

    “I am not unaware of the hardship Nigerians are facing today as many could not travel for the Christmas celebration despite the holiday due to the fuel scarcity, unpaid salaries  and other economic factors.

    “But the major theme of the Christmas remains FEAR NOT. No matter what we are seeing or hearing. That was what the angel who broke the Good News told the shepherds. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:9-12 KJV ).

    “During the week, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that due to the  harsh economic situation currently facing our nation, not fewer than 3.67 million Nigerians lost their jobs last year alone. They are still working on the figure for the outgoing year.

    “The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s verdict on Nigeria was also as hopeless as that of the NBS if not more but our eyes are not on the government but on God who always fulfils His promises no matter the circumstances.

  • Kaduna CAN urges Christians, Muslims to shun religious bigotry

    Kaduna CAN urges Christians, Muslims to shun religious bigotry

    The Christian Association of Nigeria( CAN ), Kaduna Chapter, has urged Muslims and Christians to shun religious bigotry so as to  make Nigeria a greater country in the comity of nations.

    The Secretary of the chapter, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, made the call when he received gift items donated by some  advocates of inter-faith harmony led by Hajiya Maryam Abubakar in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    He commended the initiative of Hajiya Maryam and her colleagues, saying that it would go a long way toward promoting religious harmony in Kaduna State in particular and the entire country.

    “We are really grateful seeing Muslim women coming to the CAN’s  Secretariat to donate Christmas gifts.

    “This is really impressive and these are some of the ways to boost religious tolerance and better understanding between Muslims and Christian.

    “ We must join hands together in tackling religious extremism and promote forgiveness, peace and unity among all the people of Nigeria,” he said.

    Read also: Gowon, Dogara task Northern Christians on unity, love

    Earlier, a group of Muslim women under the aegis of ‘Ambassadors of Peace’ donated gifts including Christmas trees and Santa Claus caps to CAN in the spirit of the yuletide season.

    Speaking at the presentation of the items, Abubakar said the donation was part of their contribution toward promoting peace, harmony, love, togetherness and inter-religious tolerance in a multi-religious society such as Kaduna State.

    Abubakar said their visit to the CAN secretariat was aimed at strengthening inter-religious tolerance and promoting understanding among adherents of  different faiths in the state.

    The peace ambassador said: “We are from one family under God because Adam and Eve were our original biological parents and we, as Muslims believe in the Bible and love Jesus Christ too.

    “Christmas season is a period of joy and happiness to every Christian all over the world and we, as Muslims decided to donate some Christmas trees and Father Christmas caps to CAN leaders in the state.

    “This is to promote good relationship with our neighbours in view of the fact that Christians are our good friends and neighbours.”

    According to her, it is not the first time she and her colleagues are donating Christmas gifts to churches in Kaduna for the purpose of enhancing religious tolerance and peace building.

    “Two years ago, we fed about 500 Christian inmates in the spirit of Christmas and New Year celebration in Kaduna prison.

    “We fed them in the spirit of togetherness and to join them in celebrating the birth of our noble Jesus Christ.

    “We want them to have a good taste of food with beef different from what they were offered inside the prison,” she added.

    In her remark, another member of the group, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani said: “Christians are our best friends and we choose to come to CAN to donate these items this time because we believe that CAN is the mother of all Christian bodies.

    “We came today to say `Merry Christmas to all our brothers and sisters who are  Christians all over the world, and Happy New Year in advance.

    “We want to maintain this kind of peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in the state in order for us to team up and  nd all forms of ethno-religious and political crises bedevilling peace and stability in the northern part of the country.”

    She also advocated the establishment of an institute of comparative religious studies which, according to her, can proffer solutions to ethno-religious crises in the country.

    NAN

  • 2019 election results will be transmitted electronically – INEC

    2019 election results will be transmitted electronically – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) said on Tuesday it has developed a technology that would enable it transmit election results electronically direct from polling units to the states’ headquarters.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, Prof. Godswill Obioma, disclosed this at a meeting with faith-based organizations in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the new technology is part of efforts by the Commission to eliminate rigging, electoral frauds and other irregularities and to ensure the enthronement of credibility and transparency in the electoral process.

    Obioma reassured the electorate that their votes would count in the 2019 general elections and urged them to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    He said: “INEC is strengthening the process of transmitting election results electronically direct from polling booths to INEC headquarters.

    “We hope that the latest technological innovation would be perfected and deployed in the 2019 general elections.

    “The new strategy would discourage politicians from ballot box snatching, stuffing of ballot boxes and indulgence in other forms of electoral irregularities.

    “The commission would do everything to ensure that votes count in 2019 and that those who would emerge do that through popular votes.

    “We have only one message and the message is that you come out and register and ensure that you collect your PVC to qualify you to exercise your franchise.”

    Read also: 2019: INEC to partner political parties for credible elections

    The REC explained that the meeting was part of conscious efforts by INEC to build strategic partnership and alliance that would be harnessed to mobilize the electorate.

    “This meeting is aimed at jointly charting strategic paths for a credible 2019 elections and to see in what best ways we can partner with the organizations to reach out to their members.

    “It is also to mobilize those who are 18 years and above to come out and register and collect their PVCs,” he added.

    Obioma explained that making the electoral process more inclusive by getting more people involved in civic responsibilities would reduce political tension and those chosen in elections would be better accepted as representatives of the people.

    He said that the commission had embarked on aggressive sensitisation and voter education since he resumed office as REC in Ebonyi on July 12.

    “We have undertaken stakeholders’ town hall meetings in all the 13 local government areas of the state where we met with the people in their localities and sensitise them to the continuous voter registration.

    “We followed the town hall meetings with the stakeholders’ village square meetings in the wards across the local government areas.

    “We listened to their views on how we can do better in our programmes to achieve greater penetration in the society,” he said.

    Reports say no fewer than 50 representatives of faith-based organisations, including Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs attended the meeting.

    NAN

  • Buhari meets members, leadership of CAN in Aso Rock

    Buhari meets members, leadership of CAN in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with members and leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was being attended by
    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, National Security Adviser (NSA) Retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    The meeting, being held behind closed doors at the Council Chamber of Aso Rock, was also being attended by cabinet ministers, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
    Boss Mustapha, was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office (EFO) Hajiya Habiba Lawal.

    The President would also meet with representatives of the Muslim community in Nigeria at same venue by 2 p.m.

    Read Also: Buhari backs local govt autonomy

  • Sultan, CAN president advocate inclusive governance

    Sultan, CAN president advocate inclusive governance

    Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs Alhaji  Sa’ad Abubakar II and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Sampson Ayokunle yesterday called for inclusive governance to address the myriads of problems confronting the country.

    The Sultan said leaders at all levels should be equitable, fair and just to every member of the society in the distribution of amenities and resources.

    They spoke at the opening of  “Collaborative Interfaith Peace and Security Capacity Building Workshop” organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in conjunction with Inter Religious Peace Initiative at the NARC Complex, Abuja.

    He said extremism and violence are not part of Islam and that any one killing a fellow citizen in the name of any religion should be treated as criminals.

    The Sultan, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of Abuja National Mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, said corruption was the reason behind the nation’s weak security system and the threats of insurgency coupled with the lack of teaching materials in schools and the sorry state of the health system.

    Sultan Abubakar II, who threw his weight behind the fight against corruption by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, called on religious leaders to support government’s efforts to fight corruption.

    The CAN President, however, urged the administration to address the issue of the marginalisation of Igbos.

  • Quixotic CAN “de-Christianize” Osinbajo

    Ever read Nkem Nwankwo’s My Mercedes is bigger than yours?  O, that was the golden era of the Heinemann African Writers Series (AWS), where new literary voices from Africa were following the Chinua Achebe motif to register their names in the global literary mart.

    Well, it is a not-so-golden era of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), fast becoming a hollow can of quixotic controversies, over alleged Islamization of Nigeria.  Yet, the (il)logic is not so different from the cheeky Nwankwo and his fictive shade of Mercedes Benz cars.

    One thing is common though, between that past golden season and the present not-so-golden one, trapped in a can of ludicrous claims: vanity and vacuity — then of the post-colonial African elite, now of CAN bristling with holy cant.

    Because Vice President Yemi Osinbajo doesn’t share CAN’s fictive Islamization and lost little time to say so, CAN seems to question his commitment to the cause of Christendom Nigeria — in Nwankwo-speak, my Christianity is purer than yours!

    Yet, if there is any individual that lives to the fullest the high tenets and ethos of the

    Christian faith, it is Osinbajo, who lugs a near-excellent public service record, right from his days as Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice in Lagos State (1999-2007).  That he has more or less carried to his current higher responsibility as Vice President of the Federal Republic.

    Well, if a furious CAN de-Christians the vice-president, it is simply because of the dross of Christian politicking, vis-a-vis fast and furious competition with the Muslims, in the Nigerian public space.

    After CAN and its Christian Elders affiliate have thrown around so much muck on allegations of how the Buhari “Hausa-Fulani” presidency was “Islamizing” Nigeria (a claim Osinbajo told them was pure fiction), CAN in its latest riposte has gone shopping in the past for “evidence”.

    Such “evidence” include the Shehu Shagari presidency meeting with the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) in London in 1983; the Babangida military junta doing a follow-up meeting with OIC in 1989 and “had issued a communique to Islamize Africa with Nigeria capturing a great attention.  This is a public knowledge while facts could be obtained from Wikipedia with links on OIC’s conference in London, 1983 and Abuja Declaration of 1989”.  Seriously?

    Indeed, it’s public knowledge past military governments had tried to railroad Nigeria into OIC.  But it is also true that the move was strafed in the media, on the basis of Nigeria’s secular constitution.

    But pray, how does that indict the Buhari government, in which Osinbajo serves as vice-president, which CAN has always pointedly accused; but when challenged to prove its fiction, bolted into the past to shop for “evidence”?

    Even with this past “evidence”, CAN’s grand Islamization charge could not stop two “Christian” presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, from ruling a “grandly Islamized” Nigeria.

    Indeed, under Jonathan, CAN was in the vortex of the racket of un-Christian conduct, by a Christian president, that cleared the public till!  All CAN did was to defend that un-Christian rebuke to the very end, even if it negates its very essence!

    CAN should stop mocking the Christian essence.  If they cannot approach God and repent for wrongly projecting their faith and embarrassing genuine Christians, they at least owe themselves some golden and dignifying quiet.

  • CAN insists Fed Govt plans to Islamise Nigeria

    CAN insists Fed Govt plans to Islamise Nigeria

    THE leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has advised Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to stop discrediting the organisation in his resolve to douse religious tension in Nigeria and win the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Osinbajo had last week said at a public function that there was no agenda to Islamise Nigeria and that no one could possibly do so, just as he berated Christian leaders for raising alarm on the issue.

    But the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said the plot by the Buhari administration to Islamise Nigeria was real, urging Osinbajo to crosscheck his facts well before making public remarks on the issue next time.

    In a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media and Communications), Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the CAN boss said the vice president has no fact before jumping into conclusion.

    He said most Christian leaders were taken aback by the remarks credited to Osinbajo in the media and had sought the intervention of the leadership of CAN to set the record straight with documented facts pointing towards the verity of plot by the present government to Islamise Nigeria.

    The CAN President said Osinbajo was indeed oblivious of certain fracts, stressing that the body of Christians in Nigeria have long been aware of the grand plot to Islamise Africa, with Nigeria as a major focus.

    He stressed that Nigerian government has been working in tandem with the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and Islam in Africa Organisation to achieve this.

    CAN President said: “The OIC met in London in 1983 with a follow up meeting in Nigeria in 1989 and had issued a communiqué to Islamize Africa with Nigeria capturing a great attention. This is a public knowledge while facts could be obtained from Wikipedia with links on OIC’s Conference in London, 1983 and Abuja Declaration of 1989.

    “It is also a matter of fact that Nigeria was later made an observer member of the body (OIC) through General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. Under General Sani Abacha, another Muslim leader, Nigeria was made full member in total violation of the constitution that the nation is secular and our government should not be religiously partisan.”