The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAN

  • Lagos can hire and fire chaplain – CAN

    Lagos can hire and fire chaplain – CAN

    Lagos Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday said the state government has the powers to  appoint and sack any chaplain in the state chapel.

    The state CAN Chairman, Apostle Alexander Bamigbola, who spoke on the recent sack of the Presiding Chaplain of  Chapel of Christ the Light, Venerable Femi Taiwo, said the body would investigate the preacher’s sack.

    He also accused the media of blowing the matter out of proportion.

    “The church Governing Council has the constitutional responsibility to recruit and terminate the appointments of officers running the chapel. Two officers run the affairs of the chapel – the Presiding Chaplain and the Chaplain. These are officers of  the government and are subject to terms and conditions of the government,” the CAN chairman said.

    He added that the Governing Council acted within its constitutional authority by sacking Venerable Taiwo.

     

  • CAN distances self from IPOB sit-at-home order

    CAN distances self from IPOB sit-at-home order

    The Archbishop of the Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma has said the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is not in support of the sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

    Chukwuma spoke yesterday during the democracy day celebration and second year anniversary of Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    The cleric called on the people of the Southeast to go about their legitimate businesses, saying that the clergy were against the declaration.

    “Before I offer the opening prayer, let me state the position of the clergy on the sit-at- home declared by IPOB and MASSOB.

    “We are not in support of the call. We advise all to ignore it and go about their legitimate businesses,” he said.

    He said the people of Southeast would fare well and enjoy more and better dividends of democracy in a united Nigeria.

  • Keys to effective Christian leadership, by Lagos CAN

    Effective Christian leadership is anchored on servant hood and accountability, the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos state chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola has stated.

    Bamgbola said leaders determined in showing Christ to others must be servants and accountable to God and their followers.

    He spoke last Tuesday at a one-day leadership workshop for State and local government officials of the body.

    The CAN official said: “God’s leaders must always remember that they represent God and function in the authority of His Name.

    “They must know that all they are of God. The people who they lead belong to God.

    “Hence all that they do must be as unto God. All of God’s leaders are servants of God.

    “Their will must be surrendered unto God. Their ways must be patterned after God; and their work must be directed by God.”

    Good leaders, he went on, must be accountable to God and their followers.

    Bamgbola explained: “God’s leaders must always remember that they are not only servants of God but also servants of the people they are given by God to lead.

    “Humility is a primary quality of true God’s leaders. Commands do not originate with God’s leaders but from God. They are then transmitted through God’s leaders.”

    Secretary of Lagos CAN, Dr Israel Akinadewo, urged Christian leaders to become anti-corruption crusaders.

    Akinadewo, a forensic accounting expert, spoke on financial integrity and self-independence.

    He challenged leaders never to sacrifice integrity on the altar of financial recklessness.

    He tasked Church leaders to always distinguish between personal and church funds while also ensuring utmost financial discipline and integrity.

    According to him: “We must never desecrate our sacred positions on the altar of financial recklessness.

    “We must be accountable for every kobo of God’s resources in our charge by making sure we do not enrich ourselves.”

    To guard against financial indiscipline, Akinadewo urged them to institute strong system that prevents corruption.

    “The best way to stop corruption is prevention, not prosecution. If we have systems in place, we will be protecting ourselves and the resources God entrust to us,” he stressed.

    He also canvassed for self-independence, saying CAN officials should never depend on government or anyone for sustenance.

    “Financial independence is important to prevent our faith from the shackle of political manipulations,” he submitted.

    Vice chairman of the body, Rev Dr Emmanuel Oguntosin, said leadership in the end time must be proactive and strong.

    He urged the leaders to be strong in God and rededicate themselves to service to beat the dangers of the current days.

    Assistant Secretary, Rev Fr Emmanuel Ogunyade, said Christian leaders must recommit to ecumenism and unity for the good of all.

    He said: “We are not expected to talk of unity rather we must be seen to be doing something about it that is be involved and participate. Oneness comes with a price and we must pay it.

    “To promote fellowship and unity we must reexamine some of our programmes and activities at the levels of the local government and the State so that we may tailor them alongside efforts at uniting Christians.

    “We must shun activities that tend to give us away as sycophants and boot leakers. This will earn us respect from politicians and government as the enviable and unbiased umpire in our locality.

    “We must distinguish between what is our program that requires participation and not invitation, to what is an invitation from government and not participation.”

  • CAN to Fed Govt: curb herdsmen menace to prevent war

    CAN to Fed Govt: curb herdsmen menace to prevent war

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Reverend Olasupo Ayokunle has urged the Federal Government to prosecute some herdsmen arrested in connection with the killings in Southern Kaduna and Benue State.
    He stressed that if suspects were made to face the wrath of the law, the tension in the two states would reduce.
    Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), warned that failure to stop the unprovoked killings by suspected herdsmen in some parts of the country could spark war.
    He noted that the government must rise up to protect innocent Nigerians through effective surveillance, particularly at the nation’s borders, to prevent illegal immigrants from entrering the country.
    The cleric spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital at a special service at First Baptist Church (Miracle Cathedral).
    The Centenary Estate built by the Ekiti Conference of NBC, which is located in Oke Ila area of the town, was also inaugurated during Ayokunle’s pastoral visit by the Ewi, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe.
    A book titled: “The History of First Baptist Church, Ado Ekiti”, was also launched at the event. It was written by the church’s Historical Committee and was reviewed by the Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Prof. Matthew Ojo.

  • CAN to Buhari: go for further treatment

    CAN to Buhari: go for further treatment

    •Fed Govt advised to address challenges

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed concern over the state of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.
    It advised Buhari to seek further treatment, if that would restore his sound health and help to pilot the country’s affairs.
    CAN President, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, called on the Federal Government to rise up and end the challenges that are bringing untold hardship to the populace.
    He spoke through a communique issued at the just concluded 104th annual session of the denomination held last week in Abuja.
    The communique issued by the Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Adebayo Oladeji, focused on the health status of the President, security challenges, anti-corruption war; unemployment, unpaid wages and salaries with attendant problems, university admission and delayed 2017 budget 2017.
    It proffered solutions to issues raised.
    The communique reads: “We thank the Almighty God for the life of our President Buhari, who fell ill and travelled for medical attention abroad. We observe with dismay the political under-current that surrounds the health of our dear President, especially the lack of openness in telling Nigerians that he went for medical attention.
    “However, we are very grateful and adore the name of our Lord God Almighty who in His infinite mercy had graciously brought our President back on his feet and restored his health. We, therefore, urge Nigerians to continue to pray for him for more strength and mercy of God as he resumed office. We advise the President not to hesitate in going for further treatment if that would help in quickly restoring him back to sound health so as to continue performing his duties to the nation.
    “We encourage and advice Nigerians to have positive disposition towards the lives of our leaders by constantly wishing them well and praying for them at all times.
    “We commend the Federal Government for sustaining and winning war against various security challenges confronting our nation namely: Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping, rape, gun-men attacks, militancy, ritual killing, Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashes in various parts of the nation and of recent the communal crisis in Ile-Ife.
    “We also observe and commend the Federal Government in the efforts to stem the tide of criminal activities and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the Northeast due to Boko Haram insurgency as well as the securing of the release of 21 Chibok girls. We urge the government not to relent in getting the rest released before their lives are totally messed up by the terrorists.
    “We observe the persistent crisis in Southern Kaduna, Agatu Community in Benue State and other places in the East, Southsouth and Western Nigeria. We condemn in strong terms the reckless killing and destruction of property taking place in the areas.
    However, despite the steps taken so far by government in tackling security problems in the country, there are still various security challenges in the nation.
    “We, therefore, urge the government to take the following measures: Government should be proactive in responding to security challenges and bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to book. We encourage the Federal Government to provide relief materials for the affected communities in Southern Kaduna Area and other places to cushion the effect of the crisis.”

  • CAN to Buhari: look inward in fighting corruption

    CAN to Buhari: look inward in fighting corruption

    •Accuses govt of insincerity over Southern Kaduna killings

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, yesterday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the fight against corruption to those around him to avoid been partial.

    Ayokunle said government should also show sincerity in strengthening the local currency so that “the siege of economic hardship that has almost crippled the lives of Nigerians and increased the rates of suicide might be lifted.”

    He also said that salaries owed workers all over the nation must be paid without delay.

    “My Bible says that the wages of the workers must not be delayed overnight,” he said.

    The CAN boss, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), spoke in Abuja at the 104th Annual session of the NBC.

    The theme of the session: ‘moving forward, overcoming the challenges of life through Jesus Christ,’ will hold from April 22 to 27.

    His words: “Government should be more broad-minded on the issue of fight against corruption because corruption in Nigeria is not restricted to any particular political party or any religion.

    “As President Muhammadu Buhari is outward looking, he must be inward looking because the church is against corruption, and like the former president of Gambia said, let us chase out corruption like mosquitoes. Let us chase corruption out of our country.

    “Government should know that they are not dealing with infants. The people that elected them in to office have the right to call them to order and call them to account for all their actions.

    “The executive, legislative and judiciary are not immune from our questioning, and we need to audit them.

    “They are responsible by law to all of us whether we are in the religious section or secular.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us and government must act with transparence and fairness. Otherwise, it will be to your tent oh Israel.

    Ayokunle expressed sadness over the recent alleged killing of 13 people by Fulani herdsmen in Southern Kaduna, adding that government has not been able to act decisively on the killings.

    He accused the Federal Government of not being in control of the situation.

    His words: “When there was clash between the indigenes of lle-Ife and the settlers there, the northerners, government was swift and active in arresting suspects. But the same government with all the same state apparatus have not been able to act decisively on the issue of Southern Kaduna.

    “When the Federal Government was sometimes accused, it was saying that they were liaising with the governor of Kaduna State; he was the one briefing the President. But why didn’t they liaise with the governor of Osun State so that actions might be delayed as it is delayed in the case of Southern Kaduna?

  • CAN to Buhari: Look inward in fighting corruption 

    CAN to Buhari: Look inward in fighting corruption 

    • Ayokunle accuses government of insincerity over Southern Kaduna killings

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, on Friday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the fight against corruption to those around him to avoid been partial.

    Ayokunle said the government should also show sincerity in strengthening the local currency so that: “the siege of economic hardship that has almost crippled the lives of Nigerians and increased the rates of suicide might be lifted. Salaries owed the workers all over the nation must be paid without delay. My Bible says that the wages of the workers must not be delayed overnight.”

    The CAN boss who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), spoke in Abuja at the 104thAnnual session of the NBC.

    The theme of the session: ‘moving forward, overcoming the challenges of life through Jesus Christ will hold Saturday 22nd to 27th.

    His words: “Government should be more broad-minded on the issue of the fight against corruption because corruption in Nigeria was not restricted to any particular political party or any religion.

    “As President Muhammadu Buhari is outward looking he must be inward looking because the church is against corruption and like the former president of Gambia said, let us chase out corruption like mosquitoes. Let us chase corruption out of our country.

    “Government should know that they are not dealing with infants. The people that elected them into office have the right to call them to order and call them to account for all their actions. The executive, legislative and Judiciary are not immune from our questioning and we need to audit them.

    “They are responsible by law to all of us either we are at the religious section or circular. Nigeria belongs to all of us and Government must act with transparency and fairness. Otherwise, it will be to your tent oh Israel.

    “All must be done in political appointments and in the conduct of government business to reflect Federal Character not only on ethnicity but equally ensuring religious balance. The suspicious of favouritism by the government of one religious group to the detriment of others must be avoided. The more government adheres to these admonitions, the more coherent we would be as people and the greater the peace and development.”

    Ayokunle expressed sadness over the recent alleged killing of 13 people by the Fulani herdsman in Southern Kaduna adding that government has not been able to act decisively on the issue of the killings.

    He accused the Federal Government of not being in control of the situation.

    His words: “When there was a clash between the indigenes of lle-Ife and the settlers there, the northerners; immediately that happened government was so swift and active to arrest suspects but the same government with all the same state apparatus have not been able to act decisively on the issue of southern Kaduna.

    “When the Federal Government was sometimes accused, it was saying that they were liaising with the governor of Kaduna State, he was the one briefing the president but why didn’t they liaise with the governor of Osun State so that actions might be delayed as it is delayed in the case of Southern Kaduna?

    “All partial alibi or actions that were delayed trying to satisfy him, it is an unnecessary defence mechanism which the government must avoid.  Act with sincerity so that all might know that there is justice and fair play. It is in that way that all of us as Nigerians can do a successful pilgrimage together as a nation.

    “Just in February this year, the United States House of Representatives cited Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world. Certainly, this is a most unpleasant classification for a country that is a democracy and the giant of Africa. What type of giant are we? It is a classification that should not make patriotic Nigerians glad in a country where the population is roughly divided equally between Islam and Christianity. It is essential for the Federal Government in whose care instruments of cohesion lie to quickly remedy this situation. We appeal to the government to desist from giving excuses anymore why the killings are still occurring, we want an end to be put to the killings henceforth. Enough is enough.”

    Ayokunle commended the Federal Government for waging war against Boko Haram sect and for sustaining it and that: “we equally salute the courage of our gallant military and we shall continue to pray for them over this good work of defending the people on this matter.

    “Equally, the release of the 21 of the several Chibok girls kidnapped three years ago is commendable but more efforts are solicited for the release of the rest before their lives are completely ruined for no sin of theirs.”

  • Shekarau applauds Buhari’s anti graft war

    Shekarau applauds Buhari’s anti graft war

    Former Kano state Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau‎ has applauded the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti graft war, saying that “it is what most Nigerians have been yearning for.”

    According to him “Anyone who acquired wealth through illegal or fraudulent means should be investigated and brought to justice.”

    He noted that it takes a true and honest individual to right track a nation like Nigeria against corruption, pointing out that” we will join hands provided it is done with fairness.”

    Shekarau who spoke to reporters in Sokoto on Sunday on the sidelines at the 22nd Annual National Ummah Convention(NUC) held in Sokoto, declared open by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said the anti graft war was a right step in the right direction.

    According to the former Presidential candidate in 2011 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) and one time governor of the state described as the northern ‘commercial hub’‎ second to Lagos, “Nigeria and Nigerians need absolute system reformation where justice, fair hearing and strict adherence to the rule of law are premium.

    “Let me share with you that Kano state during my government was the first and only state to key in and evolve an anti corruption machinery when then President Obasanjo came up with EFCC‎”, he added.

    The one time Minister of Education and first to set a record of two terms of 4 years as governor in Kano state said the present APC led government under President Buhari should not jettison the baseline of due process and avoid selective justice in its anti corruption fight.

    “Our system needs to be sanitised for prosperity. But meting injustice to an unjust person amounts to no justice.”

    On the crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which he owes allegiance, the former governor said ‎it was a normal political hurdle that would come to pass, adding that “we are re-strategising and we will sail out of the perceived  woods.

    “We are only going through political reformation to come up with acceptable leadership with people oriented ‎agenda”, Shekarau explained.

    On the Sharia system entrenched ‎during his government, the former governor said “there is nothing wrong in being godly which entails the fear of your creator by been just, truthful, honest, sympathy, patience and morally up right. Both Islam and Christianity are adherents of these teachings and tenets.

    “They are not new and strict adherence would have shaped‎ our society as a nation. Only that some quarters have a different perception and misconception about what it entails.

    “It may interest you to know that the National and state bodies of c gave me a commendation letter ‎on Sharia”, he disclosed.

    On the convention, Shekarau noted that it was a good platform to objectively dissolve national problems‎ associated with the revival of agriculture not only in the north but Nigeria as a whole.

    According to him “we have to encourage responsive leadership and favourable policies that would transform the country’s agricultural sector to glory.”

    He said Nigeria’s greatest challenge ‎was the lack of coordination and absence of a genuine and responsive platform that would galvanise existing potentials and capacity to produce in large commercial quantity.

    “We have the land and human capital but without coordinating other components, we cannot make the desired impact”, he pointed out.

    He further attributed the country’s crash in agriculture to ‎the politics of state creation, adding that “the creation of additional states has further set us back.

    Before, states were doing well and a lot in agricultural activities because there was control chain in the system especially when northern marketing board was in operation which we need to reverse to augment strategic agricultural policy framework to be braced by a more holistic mechanism for the production, marketing and sales of grains between the farmer and final consumer destination”, he explained.

     

  • CAN resolves internal crisis

    CAN resolves internal crisis

    • Gado withdraws court case

    The lingering internal crisis in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been resolved.
    The crisis began last June following the emergence of Rev Dr Supo Ayokunle as president of the body.
    It ended at the weekend when president of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev Dr Jeremiah Gado, one of the aggrieved candidates, withdrew a suit against the body.
    The withdrawal of the suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja High Court followed intervention by top church leaders and well-meaning Christians.
    The matter which has been in court since June 2016 had generated interest from Christian groups, governments and well meaning Nigerians.
    Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Barrister Kwamkur Samuel, in a statement, confirmed the end of the crisis.
    He said the body will explore internal mechanisms for amicable resolution of the contentious issues.
    The concerned parties, according to him, resolved to withdraw the suit for the sake of unity in the church.
    The agreement had been filed in the FCT High Court Kubwa the assigned Court as consent judgment which finally put the matter to rest on 11th April, 2017.
    CAN chairman for the North Central, Rev Dr Israel Akanji, who played prominent roles in the peaceful resolution, confirmed settlement.
    Akanji said: “We thank God for the peaceful settlement of the matter out of court.
    “We are the people of God and being the light of the world and the salt of the earth, it is our responsibilities to reconcile the world back to God.
    “So, it will not speak well of us if we are engaging the court to settle any internal disagreement.”
    Akanji, who represented Ayokunle at the court, said with the new development, CAN is: “better positioned to” speak for all Christians in the country.”

  • Abia CAN gets new leadership

    The Abia State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has elected another set of leaders up in the next two years.

    Apostle General (Dr) Emmanuel Otutubuike Agomuo of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) is the new chairman.

    Agomuo called for the unity of the church, saying, “We are Christians and not politicians, Christians should stay away from politics, we can vote, but we don’t have to be partisan”.

    Blaming the disunity in the church today on members’ involvement in partisan politics, the new CAN chairman said it was for this reason that his mission would be to unify Christians in Abia State where he claimed there were a lot of problems.

    “Christians in Abia don’t agree, they are not one, so, I think I have that mind or the mission to come and unite the Christians so that we can be talking with one voice because we serving one God”.

    Agomuo said his administration would equally focus on leadership training for members.

    “We only attend government functions and come back,” he said. “So, in the next quarter of my administration, I’m going to organise a workshop where we will discuss the qualities of a leader”.