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Tag: CAN

  • CAN urges Muslims to pray for peace, unity

    CAN urges Muslims to pray for peace, unity

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has urged Muslims to use the Eid-el-Fitri celebration to pray for peace and unity in the country.

    Oritsejafor congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III and other Muslims for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

    He urged the nation to pray for God’s protection on security operatives, who are on counter-terrorism campaign.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Oritsejafor said: “On behalf of the Christian community in Nigeria, I wish to congratulate the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar, our Muslim brothers and sisters on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

    “I use this occasion to remind our brothers of the significance of this occasion, especially about the virtues of love, peace, good neighbourliness, as emphasised by the Holy Prophet. At a time like this, Nigerians, irrespective of their affiliations, must strive to promote good neighbourliness and rise above ethnic, religious and political sentiments to work for the collective good of the nation.

    “I like to use this unique opportunity to call on religious leaders, especially in this period of celebration, to preach peace and unity among Nigerians. This is because Islam and Christianity preach peace. As opinion leaders, let us use our positions to influence positive disposition towards ending chaos in our country.

    “Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW) lived and preached peace at all times. Therefore, the acts perpetrated by some disgruntled Nigerians in the name of Islam are most condemnable and should be discouraged. No nation can achieve greatness in an atmosphere of crisis and unrest.

    “CAN joins millions of our Muslim brothers and sisters to pray for the peace and unity of the nation and to commit our troops in the battle field in the hands of God to win the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.

    “It is my ernest belief that our nation will continue to grow from strength to strength and all faithful will use religion to promote peaceful coexistence and development for our nation.

    “I like to reiterate that our collective will as a people will always prevail, if we are united in prayers, in our contributions to national development and in our resolve to promote peace in our communities. Once again, I urge our people to imbibe the teachings of the holy books, to demonstrate true love in all their endeavours and wish our brothers and sisters a happy Eid-el-Fitri celebration.”

     

     

     

     

  • CAN condemns Kano, Kaduna explosions

    CAN condemns Kano, Kaduna explosions

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed sadness over Wednesday’s twin bomb explosions in Kaduna and yesterday’s motor park bombing in Kano.

    Over 80 people died in the Kaduna blasts and five confirmed dead in the Kano bomb. Scores of people were injured and property worth several millions were destroyed in the incidents.

    The umbrella Christian body said it is regretful that such an incident is happening in our communities at this time especially when all faithful are in search for genuine reconciliation with their God and seek peaceful coexistence with their neighbours.

    It prayed God for saving the lives of two prominent Nigerians, former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and an Islamic cleric, Dahiru Bauchi, in the bomb attacks.

  • CAN condemns Kaduna, Kano explosions

    CAN condemns Kaduna, Kano explosions

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed sadness over last Wednesday’s explosions in Kaduna State and the one that rocked Kano on Thursday.

    The body described the development as shocking.

    CAN said it is regretful that such incidents are happening in our communities at this time especially when all faithful are in search for genuine reconciliation with their God and seek peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

    It, however praised God for saving the lives of two prominent Nigerians – former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and an Islamic Cleric, Dahiru Bauchi, in the bomb attacks.

    The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in a statement issued in Abuja said: “The attack, coming almost at the climax of the holy month of Ramadan is a clear indication of the perpetrators’ inclination to evil and disregard for the true God and all that are linked to him.

    “CAN condemns in strong terms the continuation of attacks targeted at high profile Nigerians and revered clerics, who hitherto should be the moral compass for society’s transformation

    “On behalf of the Christian community in Nigeria, I wish to commiserate with all those who lost loved ones or suffered one form of mishap or the other in the incidents.

    “This again, is evidence that God is greater than the perpetrators of these acts and a confirmation that the bombers and their sponsors have a twisted understanding of religion. I urge all Nigerians never to be dissuaded by these acts of evil and terror on our people, no doubt the impact created by these acts are painful but giving in at this time will even be more dreadful for our people. Please I urge all Nigerians in the spirit of the season (Ramadan) to keep faith with the relevant authorities.”

  • CAN applauds President over fund intervention for Boko Haram victims

    CAN applauds President over fund intervention for Boko Haram victims

    THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for instituting a special fund to cater for the emergencies of Boko Haram victims.

    The development, CAN said, has further demonstrated that Jonathan means well for the victims regardless of their backgrounds.

    The National President of the Christian body, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, also praised the quality of persons nominated to serve on the special fund and wished them well in their task of raising and disbursing funds to victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the north.

    He appealed to persons who will be directly and indirectly involved in the scheme to have the fear of God in all they will be doing and be fair in exercising their mandate.

    In a statement in Abuja, Oritsejafor said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) receives with gladness and great relief the news of the institution of a special fund to cater for the needs of victims of insurgency in parts of the country.

    “On behalf of the association and the entire Christian community in Nigeria, I want to specially thank Mr. President for taking such a bold and courageous step to care for the victims of insurgency in the northern part of the country.

    “The action is a further demonstration that President Jonathan is indeed the father of the nation and a father to all Nigerians irrespective of the background of the victims of the crisis and the decision has demonstrated that the present administration is responsive to the plight of the people.

    “For long, it has been the conviction of CAN that victims of the senseless killings and wanton destruction of property should be given some ‘life line’ in whatever name it could be called and we are glad that the President has heard our call and responded appropriately.”

    He added: “I believe that the fund will address a wide range of issues facing persons displaced by the crisis as well as provide the basis for a more comprehensive programme of rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims at the end of the crisis (insurgency).

    “It my hope that funds realised from the various donations and contributions will be judiciously used for the good of those affected in the crisis.

    “I honestly believe that this initiative will give hope to our people and instill in them a sense of belonging while reducing the psychological and physical impact of the burden created as a result of the losses incurred in the crisis.”

  • Hydrotherapy can restore health

    Water, whether hot or cold, can serve as a treatment for the body.

    Director, Biorepair International Centre for Natural Healing, Dr Chigoziri Moses, said water is an essential natural healing content, which can be used to detoxify the system; thus removing blockages that may result in cancer and other diseases.

    According to Moses, every disease is caused by blockage at one point or another within the human body channels of distribution.

    He said when the blockage is cleared energy will flow freely across the entire lymphatic, digestive and cardiovascular organs, among others.

    “With the clearance effects in place, healing begins immediately,” he said.

    Moses said when applied with other natural healing agents (herbs/minerals), water helps to remove toxins and other waste materials from the body, including heavy metals, thereby healing the body of cancer and other degenerative diseases.

    He said: “When a roadblock is cleared, the traffic will flow smoothly. And when a vehicle-engine is in a poor state, driving the vehicle becomes troublesome.”

    The natural health practitioner likened the human body to a city with road networks being affected by traffic congestions in one part.

    His advice: “People should get their system cleansed to experience a renewed health.”

    Dr. Moses explained that there can be blockages in nerve flow or nerve force to the area. “There can be blockages of what the Chinese call “Chi” or what the Japanese call “Ki” or what the Indians call “Prana” or “life energy,” he explained.

    He added: “There can be muscular spasms cutting off all types of circulation. There can even be emotional or spiritual blockage to an area – not enough love moving in, and too much hate and rage building up. If there is one thing one needs to know for sure; it should be noted that every sick area of the body has some type of physical, emotional or spiritual blockage.”

    Nothing, he said, removes impurity and drives life back into a blocked and diseased area faster than hot and cold water treatment.

    Hydrotherapy, he said, has become a big part of European treatment pattern.

    According to him, there are various ways to increase circulation of blood to an area that is blocked or diseased.

    He said there are powerful herbs such as cayenne and ginger that a patient can take to increase the blood flow. People, he said, can also thin their blood with garlic.

    Describing how hot water works, he saidwhen it is applied to the surface of the body it dilates the capillaries, the veins and allows blood flow.

    Hot therapy, he said, also relaxes the muscles, which in turn allows better lymphatic flow. This, he said,  in turn takes pressure off of the nerves and allows better nerve flow.

    “Hot water is also physically and emotionally sedating. So, here you have an application that brings the blood to the surface of the body and increases the blood flow. It sedates you and relaxes the muscles, which allows the lymph and the nervous systems to flow better,” he said.

     Cold water, according to him, has the exact the opposite effect when apply on the body. “Cold water contracts the capillaries and the veins on the surface of the body and drives the blood deep into the centre of the body. It moves the blood in the opposite direction and contracts the muscles, which in turn push the lymphatic fluid out of the area,” he said.

    He added: “It serves as a massage for the nerves, thus becoming the opposite of sedating. It is exciting, and invigorating. It wakes you up. On a physical and emotional level, it has the opposite effect of the application of heat,” the natural medicine practitioner noted.

  • Christian women protest abduction of girls

    The women wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kano State chapter last week protested the abduction of 237 female students in Chibok, Borno State.

    They called on Boko Haram to release the girls, which they insisted were innocent of whatever the agitation of the insurgents could be.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘’Chibok girls are innocent, release them’, ‘we want our girls back’, ‘Listen to the voice of Women, We will continue to be in pain until they are released’, ‘what are the offence of Chibok girls?’

    Most of the women could not hide their emotion.

    They cried and rolled on the ground, calling on the abductors to stop persecuting the innocent girls for no just cause.

    Reading the protest letter at the state CAN’s secretariat, Kano, the chairperson, Mrs. Ann West, said: “As  mothers, we are here to draw the attention of our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the governor of Kano State , Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the entire global community on the callous abduction of the Chibok girls.

    “We are demanding for the immediate release of our girls to us, their mothers and in fact to their parents without further delay. We also demand that these wicked people, the abductors be brought to book.”

    While handing over the letter to Bello, Mrs. West stated that they appreciate the efforts made so far by the government of the country and other numerous individuals.

    Bello said: “We are in support of your crusade just as we have been and still feeling the pain of what happened.

    “The abduction is condemnable in all ramifications. We are against the people who use religion as a cover up to commit evil in this country.”

  • CAN prays for abducted girls

    CAN prays for abducted girls

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will on Friday hold a national prayer and fasting summit for the abducted Chibok girls.

    The summit takes place at the Ecumenical Prayer Center, Abuja, by 11am.

    The National President of the body, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the summit has become necessary considering the security challenge posed by Boko Haram sect, especially the latest abduction of over 200 students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

    Oritsejafor, in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, noted that the prayer summit is to create a spiritual platform for Christians all over the country to call upon God in unity and faith.

    He directed state chairmen of the organisation to hold similar summit across the nation.

    The CAN helmsman said: “More than ever before, Nigeria needs prayer at this time. Many pressure groups have staged protests to demand for the return of our abducted daughters but beyond this, we need to pray fervently because as the Bible says, ‘we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.

    “Our prayer is to seek divine intervention for the safe return of our girls and for God to heal our land- Nigeria.”

    He added that the prayer is for all church leaders and the five blocks that constitute the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    Meanwhile, the states chairmen have also been directed to hold similar prayer and fasting summit in all the states of the federation.

     

  • Kano Christian women join call

    Kano Christian women join call

    The women wing of  the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kano State chapter yesterday called for the release of the Chibok girls.

    The chairman of CAN, Bishop Ransom Bello, also said he believed God would expose the evil doers and their collaborators.

    The protesters bore placards, with inscriptions, such as: ‘’Chibok girls are innocent, release them’ we want our girls back; Listen to the voice of Women; We will continue to be in pain until they are release;, what are the offence of Chibok girls.”

    Most of the women cried and rolled on the ground.

    Reading the protest letter at the state CAN secretariat, Kano, the  chairperson, Mrs Ann West , said: “ As  mothers, we are here to draw the attention of our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the governor of Kano state , Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the entire global community on the callous abduction of the Chibok girls.

    ‘”Without prejudice, we are condemning the abduction, adding that it is an act of wickedness, inhuman and barbaric.

    “As concerned mothers, we have been seeking the face of the Lord for divine intervention, of cause which we know  He will answer us.

    Bishop Bello, said:  “We as CAN, we are in support of your crusade, just as we have been and still feeling the pain of what happened.”

    He promised to hand over their letter to  Kwankwaso for transmission to Jonathan.

  • Boko Haram video: FG cautions against religious crises

    Boko Haram video: FG cautions against religious crises

    Following the release of a Boko Haram video showing the abducted school girls and the revelation by the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau that all the girls have converted to Islam, the Federal Government on Tuesday urged religious leaders to caution their followers against involving in religious crises.

    Also, the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters has issued an international red alert for arrest of fleeing Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche.

    The Christian Association of Nigeria had said in a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday that forceful conversion of the girls to Islam was a clear indication that the sect was waging war against Christianity.

    The National secretary of CAN, Rev Musa Asake, said the conversion was unacceptable and called on the government and the international community to act fast to save the situation.

    He said the reported forceful conversion of the girls was a confirmation that the sect has a religious agenda, adding that it was now clear that they are waging war against Christians and Christianity in the country.

    But the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, who made the government’s position known on the issue at the National Briefing Centre, said the government will do everything possible to rescue the girls alive despite threats by the group.

    “The Federal Government strongly appeals to religious leaders especially the Christian Association of Nigerian and the Jamaatul Nasril Islam to restrain their members from being misled by unscrupulous persons into reducing the current situation into religious conflicts.

    “Government is still monitoring issues and will do everything possible to rescue the girls alive.

    “The Government wishes to commend all Nigerians for the support and understanding shown since the government began its operations to restore peace and normalcy in some parts of the country,” Omeri stated.

     

  • Abduction: Group calls for a three-day fasting, prayers

    Following the inability of the security agencies to free the over 200 abducted girls from Government Girls’ College, Chibok, Borno State, a group known as Renaissance Family of Nigeria based in Umuahia, Abia State has called for a three-day national fasting and prayers.

    The Non Governmental Organisation said that the national fasting and prayer period is to seek the face of God to intervene in the search for the abducted girls and that the prayer session should be coordinated by the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN].

    This was contained in a statement by the national president of the group, Sir Ambrose Nwachukwu and Secretary Chief Ojike Kalu. The group described the abduction of the girls as a monumental national embarrassment and a most reprehensible act that challenges the security imperatives of the country and called on the security agencies to be up and doing in their duties.