Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described as baseless, fictitious and unfounded, an allegation that the association is threatening its members over their support for General Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming elections.
The CAN Chairman, Rev. Titus Pona, in a statement last Saturday in Maiduguri titled: ‘Response To The Wild Threat of Allegations of Threat to Christians in the State’, said the allegation was untrue.
The allegation that some pastors collected money to campaign against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has taken another dimension, with Borno State born Pastor Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa reaffirming the allegation.
The Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi alleged that some unnamed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders paid N6 billion to Christian clerics to campaign against APC.
Amaechi’s allegation generated uproar among the Christian clerics, with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Northern State Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) challenging Amaechi to name the church leaders who collected the money.
But, Pastor Dikwa, who is the executive director of the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, confirmed the allegation to a group of reporters in Kaduna.
He said: “It was N7 billion that was given to the CAN leadership.”
The money, he said, was shared N3 million to the state chairmen of the CAN. The money was handed over to the CAN leadership on January 26, 2015.”
He said N3 million was given to the CAN executives in each state.
“Actually, the money is not N6b; it is N7b. This is what I know. One of the CAN officials from Abuja told me that they collected the money,” Pastor Dkiwa said.
“They are now threatening Christians in Borno State that they will deal with anybody who refuses to vote for Jonathan. And the CAN officials are campaigning that if Buhari emerges president, he will Islamise Nigeria, and that Osinbajo collects money from Islamic world, and the same Osinbajo will resign soon after Buhari wins to give way for Tinubu to emerge vice president,” he added.
But, CAN’s Director of National Issues Sunday Oibe said the body will react to the allegation today.
“We ‘ll react appropriately to the allegations and Nigerians will know the truth,” he said.
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter has described the late Special Apostle Gabriel Fakeye as a man who truly served God in humility.
Speaking at the residence of the late Apostle, fondly referred to as “The Psalmist”, Apostle Bamgbola noted that the deceased served God in truth and in sincerity of purpose.
“He is a man who stood for the truth. CAN respected him so much and will respect him till the end of time. He was a pillar in the midst of CAN and in the church in our nation.
“And we thank God for what the Lord used him to do and we know that it is well with him, it is well with his family and the ministry he left behind,” he commiserated.
Similarly, the Supreme Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church movement worldwide, Most Reverend Samuel Abidoye expressed shock during his visit to the family on Thursday.
The Reverend, who was accompanied by other District Chairmen of the Church, was received by the wife, Mrs. Grace Adelokun Fakeye and family at the residence of the late Apostle, Onilekere area of Ikeja, Lagos state.
According to him, Prophet Fakeye’s death is sudden and unexpected. “He was one of the good people I think will take care of the church when am gone.
“We will forever remember him for his good works in the Church, he was a good partner, a great prophet and my confidant,” he added.
Furthermore, the only son of the great prophet, Peter Olumide Fakeye, believes his father has accomplished his work on earth and has to exit the stage.
Olumide, who disclosed that the late father is a man with whom morning worship would be long missed, described the father’s last moment as a glorious exit on Sunday morning at his residence at 14, Onikelere Street, Cement Bus stop, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to him, when the Psalmist passed on to glory, service was in progress: “though he was in the house, but we fellowshipped together before his demise,” he said.
He further said: “To me, it was his time to exit into another journey of life. He has done so much by the spirit of God and by the power of God. He has left legacies and bridges. He has touched lives in ways that only God could have done.”
Apostle Bamgbola thus described the departure of Apostle Fakeye as a gain and not a loss to the Christian body saying, “What we may say we lose is a gain to the Lord and whatever is a gain to the Lord is gain to us.”
The late Psalmist was an engineer who began preaching the gospel at a tender age. He is survived by wife, a son, six daughters and grandchildren.
He would have clocked 79 years on March 11, 2015.
The Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) in Ogun East Senatorial District held yesterday a prayer session for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Dapo Abiodun.
Leading the session at the Itoro Town Hall, Ijebu-Ode, the CAN chairman in Ijebu Ode, Rev. Sobayo, prayed for the success of the APC candidate.
He said the association was not partisan but stated that Abiodun can be vouched for in terms of giving the people good representation.
The CAN chairman said it was the responsibility of clerics to advise their congregation to ensure they perform their civic duties by getting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The CAN coordinator for Remo, Pastor Malato Ikuesan, said the prayers were organised because some unscrupulous persons might want to perpetrate electoral fraud.
Abiodun described the ministers as stakeholders whose roles cannot be underrated in the society.
Muslims and Christians in Kaduna State yesterday said they will resist any attempt to introduce violence in the 2015 general elections.
The two groups, under the aegis of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), said anyone or group planning violence during and after the elections would be fished out and handed over to appropriate authorities.
JNI and CAN, which were brought together by the Global Peace Foundation (Nigeria), agreed that the 2011 political violence, which caused the death of scores of people and destruction of billions of Naira in property, would be the last.
The gathering had representatives from the three senatorial zones in the state.
The governor’s wife, Hajiya Fatima Ramalan Yero said: “All mothers must ensure that they teach their children the virtues of love, tolerance and respect for the dignity of the other person.
“With the vows that you have all taken today to resist violence in the coming elections, I believe we shall have a peaceful Christmas. We shall also build on it for an enduring peace in Kaduna State.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Christians Matters, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the rich and the poor suffer during conflicts.
He said: “Even the rich and powerful are denied sleep during a crisis. The poor also suffer, all for reasons that can be avoided. In the end, no one benefits.”
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Sheik Haliru Maraya said: “Anytime there was violence and government property was destroyed, the money that would have been used for other developmental projects was used in repairing them. And we keep wondering why we are not progressing. Islam teaches peace and tolerance to all religions as shown in the exemplary live of the Holy Prophet of Islam. We must stand together during these elections and say, ‘No’ to violence.”
•Executives to be inaugurated today
The leadership of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Roman Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria have protested the election by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State branch.
They said they disagreed with the election, which they alleged was conducted among three groups- the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), ECWA/TEKAN and the Organisation of African Institute Churches (OAIC), leaving out CCN and the Roman Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
The Chairman of the state’s CCN, the Very Rev. Stephen Adegbite, described the exercise as inappropriate, a charade and a betrayal of trust, saying he could not call that an election but a selection.
His words: “The election was inappropriate, a charade and a betrayal of trust by the organisers. I can’t call that an election. It was a mere selection. The scenario can be described as an embarrassment to the CCN, Roman Catholic and the entire Christian organisations in the country.”
Rev. Adegbite condemned the emergence of Apostle Bamgbola of the PFN as chairman, Elder Israel Akinadewo of the OAIC as general secretary and Rev. E. Oguntosin of ECWA/TEKAN as the vice chairman.
He said the election was invalid and should be cancelled and a fresh one conducted, which should involved all Christian bodies.
The election, which was conducted under the supervision of the National Secretary of CAN, Rev. Musa Asake, last Wednesday, was intended to end the leadership tussle.
The executives will be inaugurated today at ECWA Church, Mushin, Lagos.
The leadership tussle in the Lagos Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) ended yesterday, with the election of Apostle Alexander Bamgbola as chairman.
Lagos CAN has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis for close to 15 years, leading to several litigations.
Leaders of the five blocs in the apex Christian body met yesterday at the Hoarse Memorial Cathedral Church, Sabo, Yaba, to put the crisis behind them.
After agreeing to sheathe the swords, the election, which was postponed two months earlier, started with the arrival of the CAN National Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake and national legal adviser from Abuja.
Asake urged the contestants to conduct themselves in the spirit of Christ and not consider the contest as a do-or-die but a call to service.
When he called for nominations for chairman, Bamgbola, the consensus candidate of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), emerged unopposed.
Elder Israel Akinadewo of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) emerged unopposed as the general secretary.
Rev. E. Oguntosin of ECWA/TEKAN was equally elected unopposed as the vice-chairman.
Bamgbola told reporters that he would work towards reconciliation.
The immediate past president of Lagos PFN promised to be a servant leader and keep Christians in Lagos united.
“I consider my election as a call to service and I am humbled I was considered worthy of this assignment.
“I will work to keep all Christians together and ensure the church speaks and acts with one voice of issues affecting us.”
o fewer than 100 students last week graduated from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bible College in Itele, Ogun State.
The college is the first of its kind in CAN’s history.
Tagged CAN Bible College, the institution, according to its founder, Rev. Dr. Adebowale Adelakun, is an initiative inspired by God to contribute to the growth and expansion of the gospel.
“It actually started as a dream but with God’s guidance and support of other people who equally share in my dream, we have been able to commit our resources into this bible college and today, we thank God we are witnessing its first convocation ceremony, a first of its kind in Nigeria,” he said.
Adelakun, who doubles as the Chairman, CAN Ayobo-Ipaja chapter, reiterated the college’s resolve and commitment to train credible missionaries.
A co-founder, Prof. Bola Ayelabola, said the institution should serve as inspiration to other CAN chapters and stakeholders.
“With what we have seen here today, it is evident that such a feat as this is possible if only we can be committed to such.
“I besiege my brethren in the Lord to commit themselves physically, morally, spiritually and financially to this kind of ventures to ensure that the word of God continues to touch every nook and cranny of the world through the type of missionaries we produce from colleges such as this,” he stressed.
Kano State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), yesterday, condemned the triple bomb explosions that rocked the Kano Central Mosque last Friday.
The attack by the terrorists resulted in the death of scores of Muslim faithful who had assembled at the mosque for the Juma’at prayer, while several others sustained injuries and are currently on admission in the hospitals.
A statement by the Kano State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Ransom Bello, described the triple blasts as wicked and ungodly, while lamenting that the attacks were the handiwork of “wicked, blood thirsty evil men, wearing the garb of religion.”
He said, “We send our deepest condolences to the people and Government of Kano State. We sincerely commiserate with all the families of the bereaved. “
We deeply feel and share in their pains at this time of their emptiness.”
The body also offered prayers for all those who died as a result of Friday’s bomb explosions and similar incidents in the hands of the Boko Haram sect, praying for the repose of their souls in heaven.
The statement, however, had consolations for Nigerians as it declared that the Boko Haram sect would eventually fall while the Nigerian nation would grow stronger and its people would become more united.
According to CAN, despite the tragedies inflicted by the insurgents on innocent citizens, the collective will of the good people is much more, stronger than the evil agenda of members of the Boko Haram sect and their sponsors.
CAN declared: “We must all collectively- irrespective of religion, tribes and political differences- take a firm stand against terrorism and their actors. We would not, and should not, allow the intention of these terrorists to destroy our unity and peaceful co-existence in Kano State or in any part of the country”
Security operatives, with sophisticated weapons, are patrolling Chibok, Borno State, the town that is eagerly awaiting the return of its over 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram months back. Major roads that link the town with other neighbouring towns and villages are heavily manned by security operatives. This has allowed markets, worship places, farmers and motor parks to conduct their activities smoothly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that normal activities have returned to Chibok as people were seen busy with their daily businesses.
The District Head of Chibok, Modu Zanna, praised the courage of President Goodluck Jonathan for the ceasefire agreement between government and the Boko Haram.
Zanna, in an interview with NAN in Chibok, the Headquarters’ of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno on Sunday, expressed satisfaction with the development and hoped that the ceasefire would bring lasting solution to insurgency in the area, state and the country as a whole.
Zanna was represented by Alhaji Muhammadu Usman, the Village Head of Garu.
He called on the Federal Government to include the release of the abducted girls in the ceasefire agreement.
“I received the news of the ceasefire agreement between government and Boko Haram with infinite joy. We are praying that the agreement will include the release of our abducted girls.” Zanna said.
Also speaking, the Chibok Local Government Council Vice Chairman, Mr. Alimodu Amuda, also praised Jonathan for the agreement.
Amuda said the ceasefire agreement announced by the government was a milestone in solving the insecurity challenges affecting the area and the state.
He disclosed that the issue of abducted girls was the major concern of people in the area.
He prayed that government would intervene very soon for the release of the girls.
On the daily activities in the area since the abduction of the girls in April, he said that normal activities had been restored.
According to him, people have returned to their houses and normal businesses are being smoothly and successfully carried out.
He, however, complained of lack of potable water, good roads and hospital in Chibok town as well as post primary schools.
“We have only one functioning water borehole in Chibok town, no single secondary school in the area and all the roads that linked to Chibok town are sandy.”
The Vice Principal, Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, where over 200 girl students were abducted, Mr. Bulamodu Lawan, told NAN that 80 per cent of the school was destroyed during the April insurgent attack.
Lawan said that out of 29 classroom blocks, only four blocks remained.
He said the school’s administrative, ICT and laboratory blocks, Library and the school central store were all razed down completely by the insurgents’ attack.
He disclosed that some parts of the students’ hostels, staff quarters as well as kitchen and dining hall were destroyed.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Chibok Village Heads, Malam Lawan Amdan, said the ceasefire agreement was a welcome development, but expressed doubt over the authenticity of the agreement.
“The ceasefire agreement is a welcome development,” he said.
He said the Chibok communities were ready to accept any agreement that would bring peace and development in the area.
Alhaji Amadu Mai Atampa, a wrapper dealer at Chibok Central Market, told NAN that they were happy with the ceasefire agreement.
He said a peaceful atmosphere was being enjoyed in Chibok town and that there was increase in the presence of security operatives in the area.
Mrs Mary Nkeki, an Internally Displaced Person camped in Chibok, thanked Jonathan for the agreement.
Nkeki said that she, her husband and three kids were in Chibok for the past five months following an attack on their village near Damboa.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has said farmers in the conflict-torn Northeast would return to their farms following the truce reached between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram Sect.
The Borno chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday advised the Federal Government to continue with the ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram.
Rev. Titus Pona, Chairman of CAN in Borno, stated this in a communique at the end of a three day fasting and prayer for Christians in Maiduguri.
According to him government should continue with the agreement in spite of the recent attacks in some communities in the state.
Pona said that since the insurgents had expressed the desire for peace, government must take advantage of the offer by playing along.
“We the Christian faithful in Borno commend the efforts of the Federal Government for agreeing with the Jama’atul Ahalis Sunna Lida’awati, popularly called the Boko Haram, for a ceasefire,” he said.
Pona said there were indications that a faction of the sect might not be interested in the cease- fire agreement.
“We are happy with the ceasefire, although, we heard some reports suggesting attacks by some suspected insurgents lately. We believe it is only a faction that is not interested in the peace process,” he said.
Pona added: “ we believe that those interested in peace are in the majority.
“Government should also be sincere in dealing with the insurgents to ensure lasting peace.”
He said the ceasefire would hopefully lead to the release of the students of the Government Secondary Schools (GSS) Chibok and others in captivity of the insurgents.
“We assume that the Chibok girls and other people in their captivity are alive and well,” Pona said.
“ We pray that the offer for ceasefire will be adhered to in order to have the abducted ones released and for an end to the insurgency ravaging Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other parts of the country,” he said.
AFAN National President Kabir Ibrahim said this while reacting to the announcement of the ceasefire agreement by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, in Abuja.
Ibrahim said it was a commendable move which would spur farmers’ return to the area.
He, however, stressed that if the truce was genuine, then the Federal Government should work towards sustaining the agreement to ensure lasting peace in the area.
He stressed that farmers in the area would require assistance to be able to return to thie profession.
“We have to look at what the farmers had gone through and see what areas to help them in terms of seedlings, markets and processing outlets.
“Also, inputs like fertilisers should be given more than what others have received; if these are implemented, dealing directly with the farmers, they will come out of the wood work.”
He stressed the need for full engagement of the youths in agriculture, taking into cognizance the turmoil they had been through during the insurgency.
Echoing similar views, Dr Tunde Arosayin, AFAN’s National Technical Adviser, said farmers needed to be compensated with shelter, food, clothing and farm inputs.
He urged the state government and local government authorities to partner with the Federal Government and international organisations to rehabilitate displaced farmers through makeshift accommodations.
“We have to rebuild and reconstitute; so, soft landing is what the people displaced over a year need; most have lost everything, including lands, homes and even capital.
“I can tell you that over 80 per cent of those populations are willing to go back because as displaced people, they cannot access sizable lands for farming activities.
Arosayin maintained that the news of the ceasefire was indeed pleasing to all farming communities in the country.
“It is very pleasant to us as a farming family; it is a good development because the farming population was seriously affected; virtually everything was disrupted including food supply.
“We believe with this ceasefire, it will go beyond this level to ensure that peace fully returns to the areas for farmers to go back to continue their activities.