The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAN

  • Why Boko Haram is still killing, by Oritsejafor

    Why Boko Haram is still killing, by Oritsejafor

    The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor yesterday said Boko Haram insurgence has continued to increase because some Nigerians do not tell the truth.

    Oritsejafor spoke in Abuja during a forum of Christian/Muslim interactive conference.

    He noted that Nigeria would be a better place, if people could eschew bitterness and eschew sacrificing truth on the altar of politics.

    His words: “It is my firm belief that Nigeria can be great if the over 160million of us resolve to be one another’s keeper and ready at all times to tell one another the truth.

    “In my opinion, this is the single ingredient mostly lacking in our national life. Because everyone wants to be politically correct, we constantly sacrifice truth.”

    The CAN President explained that the situation in the country had reached an alarming state because the people who are in position to say things as they are often fail to do so because they love to be applauded.

    He said: “Because we want people to applaud us, be acceptable, we run away from saying the truth even though we are convinced in the recess of our minds that it is the way to go.

    “At the end of the day, we are all the losers. Lies will never exalt a nation. If Nigeria must be on the path of greatness again, truth must be the foundation.”

    According to Oritsejafor, the Muslim-Christian dialogue was coming at the right time as “its fruits have the capacity to set an agenda for achieving the desired unity, peaceful and mutual respect for one another.”

    One of the facilitators, Alhaji Abdul Ahmed, said the onus lies with the religious leaders to end the loss of lives and wanton disruption of property in some parts of Northern states.

    He said at the centre of the festering crisis was the failure of the people to freely interact and find a common ground on some of the issues threatening the country.

     

  • Abia CAN hails Jonathan on anti-gay bill

    The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State Chapter Bishop Goddy Okafor has lauded the courage of President Goodluck Jonathan to sign into law the bill that prohibits same sex marriage in the country.

    Bishop Okafor in an interview with our correspondent in Aba, said that gay practice was never supported by the major religions (Christianity, traditional and Islamic) practiced in Nigeria, describing people who are into the practice as being under a strong demonic influence.

    He said: “To us Christians, it is an abomination. That was the main reason the city of Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by God. For us to begin practicing what we know that the creator of all the earth abhors is a rebellion against God’s word and going contrary to nature. If we must populate this earth, gay marriage should not be encouraged.

    ”If you are a man, go and look for a woman to marry. Make and raise children to give Nigeria a better future. If you are a woman, get ready, a man will come and marry you and not for you to begin to mess up with your fellow woman believing that it is just your way of life.

    “If all of us had maintained that, some of our children wouldn’t have been born. I want to thank God for the president for taking a courageous stand on what our people are not used to. The issue of gay marriage is completely strange to us here in Nigeria and must be stamped out from our dear country Nigeria.”

    Reacting on the recent cancellation of President Jonathan’s intended visit to Canada by Canadian authority and the effect it might have on Nigeria’s bi-lateral relationship with other European countries who have already expressed their displeasure over the president’s action, the CAN President said: “They are not God. Nigeria belongs to God and God will provide for Nigeria. We have always existed and the One who gave us life, the air we breathe has always been behind us. He is the sustainer of every human being on earth. So, if they feel that without them that Nigeria will be no more because they have withdrawn their support Nigerian people will die, they should go ahead and do that. That will not make us, Nigerians to accept what is not normal or strange to us as a nation.”

    Continuing, Okafor who is also, the Bishop of Peculiar People’s Church Int’l added, “For those who see that as an infringement, they need to know that this is Nigeria. They are not supposed to put their own convictions on the whole Nigerians. They need to know that yes, America, Canada, maybe UK might have adopted that, but it is not our way of life. If they want to practice that, they might as well, leave this country and go places where they would be accommodated for such. To accommodate them in Nigeria is totally unacceptable. “

    Abia CAN president while calling on Law Enforcement Agencies and the Judiciary to ensure that culprits were apprehended and punished accordingly vetoed the stipulated jail terms for the accused and people that abet gay practice in the country as was signed into law by the president, advising people addicted to gay practice to go to God in prayers in order to pray out themselves and be free from demonic possession.

    ”The 10 and 14 year jail terms for now are ok. The judiciary should be strengthened. When one or two persons are brought to justice based on this new law, others will learn their lessons. Our law enforcement agencies have a greater role to play here. So, they should stand up and do what they are supposed to do. Get people apprehended. Let the nation know that this law is in effect.

    ”People who are practicing it secretly should also secretly disengage from it. If they cry out to God in prayers for forgiveness, He will forgive them. If they meet a man of God to counsel and pray for them, they will be free from it. The problem with most people is that when they are suffering, they wouldn’t want any other person to know what they are passing through and thereby dying in silence. Let them speak out. Somebody will help them out.” Okafor advised

     

  • Abia CAN hails Jonathan on anti-gay bill

    Abia CAN hails Jonathan on anti-gay bill

    The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State Chapter Bishop Goddy Okafor has lauded the courage of President Goodluck Jonathan to sign into law the bill that prohibits same sex marriage in the country.

    Bishop Okafor in an interview with our correspondent in Aba, said that gay practice was never supported by the major religions (Christianity, traditional and Islamic) practiced in Nigeria, describing people who are into the practice as being under a strong demonic influence.

    He said: “To us Christians, it is an abomination. That was the main reason the city of Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by God. For us to begin practicing what we know that the creator of all the earth abhors is a rebellion against God’s word and going contrary to nature. If we must populate this earth, gay marriage should not be encouraged.

    ”If you are a man, go and look for a woman to marry. Make and raise children to give Nigeria a better future. If you are a woman, get ready, a man will come and marry you and not for you to begin to mess up with your fellow woman believing that it is just your way of life.

    “If all of us had maintained that, some of our children wouldn’t have been born. I want to thank God for the president for taking a courageous stand on what our people are not used to. The issue of gay marriage is completely strange to us here in Nigeria and must be stamped out from our dear country Nigeria.”

    Reacting on the recent cancellation of President Jonathan’s intended visit to Canada by Canadian authority and the effect it might have on Nigeria’s bi-lateral relationship with other European countries who have already expressed their displeasure over the president’s action, the CAN President said: “They are not God. Nigeria belongs to God and God will provide for Nigeria. We have always existed and the One who gave us life, the air we breathe has always been behind us. He is the sustainer of every human being on earth. So, if they feel that without them that Nigeria will be no more because they have withdrawn their support Nigerian people will die, they should go ahead and do that. That will not make us, Nigerians to accept what is not normal or strange to us as a nation.”

    Continuing, Okafor who is also, the Bishop of Peculiar People’s Church Int’l added, “For those who see that as an infringement, they need to know that this is Nigeria. They are not supposed to put their own convictions on the whole Nigerians. They need to know that yes, America, Canada, maybe UK might have adopted that, but it is not our way of life. If they want to practice that, they might as well, leave this country and go places where they would be accommodated for such. To accommodate them in Nigeria is totally unacceptable. “

    Abia CAN president while calling on Law Enforcement Agencies and the Judiciary to ensure that culprits were apprehended and punished accordingly vetoed the stipulated jail terms for the accused and people that abet gay practice in the country as was signed into law by the president, advising people addicted to gay practice to go to God in prayers in order to pray out themselves and be free from demonic possession.

    ”The 10 and 14 year jail terms for now are ok. The judiciary should be strengthened. When one or two persons are brought to justice based on this new law, others will learn their lessons. Our law enforcement agencies have a greater role to play here. So, they should stand up and do what they are supposed to do. Get people apprehended. Let the nation know that this law is in effect.

    ”People who are practicing it secretly should also secretly disengage from it. If they cry out to God in prayers for forgiveness, He will forgive them. If they meet a man of God to counsel and pray for them, they will be free from it. The problem with most people is that when they are suffering, they wouldn’t want any other person to know what they are passing through and thereby dying in silence. Let them speak out. Somebody will help them out.” Okafor advised

     

  • Bishop warns North’s elders

    Bishop warns North’s elders

    Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Emmanuel Chukwuma, has warned the Northern Elders Forum on its threat to sue former Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    Chukwuma, who is also the Southeast Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said people would resist such move.

    The forum had threatened to sue the former Army chief over his alleged role in army operations in the Northeast.

    Chukwuma slammed the Northern elders for keeping quiet when Ndigbo were being killed daily.

    “Northern elders should be warned; otherwise, they are calling for another war. I want to tell them that they should drop the idea of sueing Ihejirika,” he said.

    The cleric said President Goodluck Jonathan should balance the appointment of service chiefs by including an Easterner, otherwise the Senate should not approve the appointments.

    The bishop, who described Tukur’s exit as belated, urged the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, to resign.

  • ‘Ogboni Fraternity is not bad but…’

    ‘Ogboni Fraternity is not bad but…’

    Bishop Zacheaus A. Adebayo , a retired Captain in the Nigeria Army, has a doctorate degree in Theology. He is the Head and Patron of African Church, and head of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ogun State. In this interview with Taiwo Abiodun, he talks about Ogboni Fraternity and the state of the nation.

    CONGRATULATIONS on your 70th birthday. Sir, how do you feel joining the league of septuagenarians?

    Thank you. I thank God for my life. I could have died so many years ago if not for God. Is it when I was young and treading dangerous paths? Or is it the risk I took and went to enlist in the Army without the knowledge of my parents? At 70, I think God still needs me. And I need to contribute my service to humanity, I want to do more than before. I want to serve my community and church before I leave this planet.

    How was your career in the military?

    I once worked at the West Africa Examination Council office, Yaba. From there I went to join the Army in the 60s, and rose to the rank of a Captain. I went to the war front to pay the soldiers their salaries during the Nigerian civil war. I was in the Pay and Records department. There, I witnessed the bloody. That is why I don’t pray for war at all in this country again.

    Each time we went to pay the soldiers their salaries we would be seeing bullets flying by our sides and many died from this. I witnessed many of this and God rescued me. I escaped bullets many times. I risked my life going to the war front. I was honest, dedicated and careful. It is the spirit of accountability and responsibility that made me to be able to have control over communities. I saw dead bodies all over the place during the war.

    I can remember one Bashiru; we were together in the Army. I saw the late Fuji musician Ayinde Barrister; we were together, I remember Kolawole ( Ayinla Kolington ) and Lt. Somefun. When paying the soldiers, for those who had died their list would be taken to Casualty and when their names are called the families or wives of fallen soldiers would come up to take their pay. We took death as nothing, it has no meaning to us, so we had no choice than to go and pay in the battlefield. We wore the army uniform and had no choice, we experienced the heavy rain of bullets. I joined in 1965 and retired from the military in 1979.

    But sir, you are not tall how did they recruit you into the Army?

    I did not tell my parents when I went to join the Army until after I had served for two years. I told them that I was in Ibadan working. During the recruitment exercise they brought a scale and we were asked to go there for measurement, if you are not up to 5feet, six inches there were some hefty men lurking around who would beat and chase you away from the scale if you are not tall enough to go to the Army. I was enlisted into the Army because I was among the few educated ones. I had a secondary school certificate, I had RSA (account), IAB ( Accounts) .

    You cannot compare our education in those days with now. Today whether you passed or not you will be promoted but it is not like that before. Today, I have a Master’s Degree and Phd. in Theology.

    Are you a member of Ogboni Society as some church leaders are?

    I am not a member. In 1952 my grandfather Jacob Adebayo was the chief ARO IMO in Ogboni Society in Abeokuta. As a young man I used to follow him to Ogboni meetings and wherever he went, and whatever sacrifices that were being offered I was always interested in eating their food, and I knew all these things. In Ogboni House all children are given titles to grow up with, I was given the chieftaincy title of Apesinola in Ogboni among them all, and they said when I grow up I should celebrate and be a staunch member. I continued and since I was young that I was being called Pastor by my father Timothy Oso for whatever I said then would come to pass. After about 15 years I had been going to Ogboni meetings, one day I met a preacher around Lafenwa who was preaching telling us not to leave Christianity and go to traditional religion that whoever was in Traditional Religion should denounce it and convert to Christianity. When the man died they were looking for a replacement, each time I was asked to go I would not. They were looking for who will be representing him and the family in their Ogboni meeting, and who knew little about it but each time they gave me transportation fare to go to the meeting I would not go, when they realized this they said I had gone back to Christianity, they said I had turned back and no longer a member, and since then I had not gone to the meeting again! So I had denounced it since.

    But what is the difference between a Christian and Ogboni?

    The Ogbonis know how to settle disputes and they are peace makers, they settle disputes in families and towns. They tell stories and give examples to teach morals. Now we have abandoned these stories and allowed our religions to overshadow all these morals. Though I had challenges since I stopped my membership but as a Bishop I believe in God and I did not go back and God has been with me since then. But, the Ogboni is still relevant if we follow the tenets and rules. That is why some are going secretly and some are still staunch members but doing it secretly. No one called some of today’s pastors but their pockets.

    Is Nigeria drifting to anarchy with the way things are going?

    I don’t blame President Jonathan for what is happening, he cannot do it alone. If we are sincere with ourselves we should know things are not going well in the country. Look at the political parties, our youths are jobless, armed robbers are getting sophisticated every day, illegal bunkering, hired killers are on the prowl, newly born babies are being sold and ritualists are having a field day.

  • Insecurity: CAN declares 31-day fasting, prayers

    Insecurity: CAN declares 31-day fasting, prayers

    The Chairman of the Southwest Zone of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, yesterday called for 31 days of national fasting and prayers to save Christians and other Nigerians from danger.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos, Atilade said: “Christians all over Nigeria, particular in the Southwest, should embark on prayers and fasting beginning on January 14 till to February 14 to abate insurgencies and invite peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, irrespective of our religious differences.”

    The cleric decried the high rate of attacks on Christians and the loss of their property to incessant sect attacks in the North.

    He urged all Southwest residents to partake in the spiritual exercise without exemption but with specific prayer points.

    Atilade said: “Christians all over Nigeria should pray that the religious carnage in the North shall be eliminated rather than it being replicated in other parts of the country. According to 2013 World Watch List report, 66 per cent of Christians killed globally were Nigerians. So, we need to pray for the church in Nigeria that every conspiracy that has been conceived against believers in 2014 shall fail.

    “Each fasting day, according to the Christian Welfare Initiative, will be rounded-off with collective prayers to intercede for the government and our leaders, the sustainability of the Christian community with prayers at 9am and 9pm each day.”

     

  • CAN to police: you’re creating conflict

    CAN to police: you’re creating conflict

    •’It’s not true’

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State has accused the police of trying to create a religious crisis, following the invasion of a church on Sunday during service.

    The police in Jere, Kagarko Local Government, were said to have invaded a church on Sunday in search of Ayuba Daro Kakaraka, who was allegedly involved in the attack on the Emir of Jere, Dr. Sa’ad Usman, on January 3.

    CAN Secretary Rev. Sunday Ibrahim condemned the disruption of service at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Issah Makaranta.

    “I wish to condemn the unacceptable invasion of ECWA Church in Issah Makaranta on Sunday.

    “The police came to the church, shooting indiscriminately. All this was under the cover of looking for a suspect.

    “Thank God that one of the policemen, who was apprehended by the youths, has been released to the Army.

    “The pastor, Rev. Ibrahim Ejims, was harassed and dragged out for questioning.

    “We do not know who they are doing this to please, but we condemn this act.

    “We are briefing our lawyers over this matter.

    “If by the end of this week, the police do not write us an apology letter, we shall interpret it as a declaration of war on Christians in Issah.”

    Reliving the ordeal, Ejims said: “When the church secretary finished taking the announcement, I mounted the podium to preach the sermon.

    “Suddenly, there was a commotion outside, armed policemen just barged into the church.

    “Members scampered for safety because we also heard gun shots outside.

    “In fact, there was a stampede and some children were hurt. In no time, the church was deserted. I was confused.

    “I came outside and saw that the youths engaged some of the policemen in a fight. A policeman was caught.

    “I pleaded for his release and begged that he should not be maltreated. It was a rowdy scene.

    “After a while, some soldiers came with some policemen. One of the policemen had a horsewhip. He threatened to flog me, if I didn’t tell them where his colleague was.

    “They came in seven trucks and parked on the church premises.

    “The village head of Issah, who is also the church treasurer, approached them, and pleaded that they should not harm me and that he can trace where the policeman was taken to.

    “They left me, and eventually found the youths, who handed over the policeman and his rifle.

    “I believe that their action was just to terrorise us. If not so, why could they not inform me of their intention, and wait till after the service?

    “If they are actually looking for a suspect, don’t they know his home and other places he visits? I believe that the police are being used for a religious war.”

    But the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Adenaike, denied the claim.

    He said his men never stepped into any church and therefore could not have disrupted any service.

    “We cannot enter a church or mosque to stop anyone from praying,” he said.

    Adenaike phoned the Jere Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Abubakar Mohammed Sani, to give his version of the story. He put the phone on speaker.

    The DCO said: “We were informed about the presence of a suspect, Ayuba Daro Kakaraka, in his house. So we went in two cars and our operational van behind us.

    “When he sighted us, he ran into a church. That was what caused the panic.

    “Some youths later came for us, and we ran. But one of us was apprehended.

    “Thankfully, the elders intervened and we secured his release. But no policeman stepped into any church,” he said.

  • CAN declares 31-day fasting, prayers for Nigeria

    Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, South West zone, Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, on Monday called for the commencement of 31 days of national fasting and prayers to save Christians and Nigerians from imminent danger and disintegration.

    Atilade, who spoke with the media in Lagos said, “Christians all over Nigeria, particular in the South west should embark on prayer and fasting commencing from Tuesday to February 14 to abate insurgencies and promote peaceful co-existence of Nigerians irrespective of our religious differences.

    The Archbishop while lamenting the alarming rate, at which Christians were killed in various attacks on innocent citizens in northern part of the country, enjoined all to partake in the spiritual exercise.

    “Christians all over Nigeria should pray that the religious carnage in the north of Nigeria shall be eliminated rather than it being replicated in other parts of the country. According to 2013 World Watch List report, 66 per cent of Christians killed globally were from Nigeria. So we need to pray for the church in Nigeria that every conspiracy that has been conceived against believers in this 2014 shall fail.

    “Each fasting day, according to the Christian Welfare Initiative would be rounded-off with collective prayers to intercede for government and our leaders, sustainability of the Christian community with prayers in 9am and 9pm each day,” he said.

     

  • Ex-Anglican Primate Akinola rescued from kidnappers

    Ex-Anglican Primate Akinola rescued from kidnappers

    Unknown gunmen yesterday kidnapped the immediate past Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Peter Jasper Akinola.

    Primate Akinola and his driver were snatched away by the gunmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital at about 3pm.

    The Primate and his driver were last night rescued from the kidnappers along Joga-Iboro Road near the border with Benin Republic, the police said.

    In what would have been one of the biggest cases of abduction, the 69-year-old former fiery cleric was overpowered by the gun-totting men at the entrance of the Peter Akionola Foundation Centre for youth Industrial Training at Kilometre 10 near Obada-Oko along the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway.

    The former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) hails from Abeokuta. He was at the centre – which he founded to take care of the underprivileged – to inspect some projects within the office when the gunmen stormed the place.

    The gunmen reportedly stopped the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) inside which he was and ordered him and his driver out, pointing guns at them.

    They reportedly shot sporadically into the air before escaping with the cleric, his driver and his car.

    The abductors had not established any contact with the family as at last night.

    The police cautioned against referring to the incident as kidnapping. But they confirmed that the Archbishop, who will turn 70 next month, was taken away by armed one.

    The CAN last night condemned the abduction of the primate.

    CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor, Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kenny Ashaka said:

    “It is totally unacceptable to us that Primate Jasper Akinola is kidnapped. This is a retired man of God and we wonder what kind of money the kidnappers want to get from a retired man of God. We believe that this kidnapping is for ransom.

    “We plead with the kidnappers to release him unconditionally and use the occasion of Christmas celebration to reflect on Christ’s eternal message of love, passion and humility. They should release him immediately.

    “Instead of kidnapping men of God, the kidnappers should pray for leaders, whether religious or political.

    “We are also calling on security agencies to quickly swing into action and help to track down these kidnappers. They should also ensure that Primate Akinola is not harmed while rescuing him.”

    Last Sunday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta during the Ogun State Carol Service of Nine Lessons, Rev. Akinola read the third lesson in Yoruba.

    Association Chairman Gbenga Gbesan told reporters that Rev. Akinola needed not be subjected to such experience because, he always fought for the poor.

    Gbesan said: “We appeal for the immediate release of the revered Primate without any condition attached to it whatsoever.

    “And it was for this reason that he set up the Youth Industrial Training Centre to train unemployed youth to acquire skills to enable them lived a meaningful life.

    Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told reporters in a telephone interview that it was early in the day to describe the incident as kidnapping, adding that security agencies had been placed on the alert.

    Adejobi said: “The fact that gunmen went away with the Bishop, his driver and his vehicle does not connote kidnap.

    “Our men at the border have been placed on the red alert, he said promising that Rev. Akinola would be recovered alive.”

  • CAN to activists: stop supporting Boko Haram

    CAN to activists: stop supporting Boko Haram

    •Oritsejafor: govt doesn’t listen to me

    •‘Nigeria needs redemption’

    Civil society groups came under fire yesterday, following allegations that they are supporting the insurgent group, Boko Haram.

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in Abuja, alleged that civil society groups speak for the sect.

    He spoke when a Christian group, led by the Gung Zaar in Bauchi State, Air Commodore Isahaku Komo (rtd), visited him.

    Oritsejafor vowed that he would continue to speak against evil, accusing government of not listening to his advice.

    He said Nigeria needs redemption for improvement. “My doors are always open to everyone.

    “Let me make it clear that I am not a politician, I am just a pastor and leader of Christians in Nigeria. I have no input, no impact, no interest in anything that has to do with politics.

    “They don’t even listen to people like me. They do not look in my direction. But we will continue to speak.

    “Let me say that you have my support because I cannot sit down and see any group or even an individual unjustly treated in this country.

    “Once there is neglect and victimisation poverty will set in.

    “If there is nothing else we can do, we can tell the world of your plight. Where are the civil society groups? Where are the human right groups?

    “I am aware of international and even national civil right groups that are fighting for Boko Haram.

    “They are fighting for a better accommodation and better life for the Boko Haram sect.

    “I am worried about this development. It is puzzling to me. They are even holding press conferences on their behalf.

    “But I have not yet seen any civil society group holding conferences on behalf of marginalised people.

    “The first step of emancipation is recognition. I have heard a lot about religious tolerance, I don’t like that word tolerance. I prefer the word respect. We must have a nation where there is equal respect. Nigeria needs redemption.”

    Oritsejafor urged Christians to reflect on Christ’s messages.

    He said: “I rejoice with all Christians and Nigerians, on this delightful season. I congratulate Nigerians and pray that the Almighty God makes it possible for us to experience another Christmas in Jesus Name.

    “May this Christmas bring joy, hope, peace and harmony in our land.