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  • Buhari condoles with CAN over death of Archbishop Atilade

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended condolences to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the passing of its Chairman (Southwest Region), Archbishop Magnus Atilade.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also commiserated with the family of Atilade and members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) as they mourn the demise of their loved one and pacesetter in alternative medicine.

    Read Also:  Archbishop Magnus Atilade is dead

    As a cleric and renowned chiropractor, President Buhari believed that the doggedness, vision and strength of character of the late Archbishop inspired those who came in direct contact with him.

    Acknowledging Archbishop Atilade’s dedication and commitment to the service of humanity, the President affirmed that the cleric will be fondly remembered for his landmark contributions to the evolution of traditional medicine and for spirited advocacy for practitioners to be legally recognized in the country.

    He prayed God Almighty to comfort all who mourn the late cleric and grant the soul of the departed eternal repose.

  • Elections: CAN declares Jan 10 national day of prayers

    PRESIDENT of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Rev. Samson Ayokunle yesterday declared January 10, 2019 as national day of prayers for free, fair and credible election. The prayer session, Ayokunle said, is also for the freedom of Leah Sharibu and others in the captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists. CAN disclosed that the prayer will be organised in Abuja and all the State capitals nationwide between 11:00 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon.

    A statement issued in Abuja by the acting General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Daramola said: “Christian politicians especially those contesting for any of the elections, all Christian groups or organisations and all stakeholders are invited to participate in the programme. CAN urges all Christian groups, denominations, churches,blocks and leaders of CAN or their representatives to assemble at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on 10th January for this all important prayer meeting.

    “All Christian candidates for all the elective offices or their representatives are also invited as they will be prayed for to be good ambassadors of Christ before, during and after the election. CAN asks all State Chairmen and all denominational leaders to organise similar programme and Christian candidates who could not make it to  Abuja, especially those who are contesting for State Assembly or positions of Governor to attend the one being organised at the State level.

    “We are to pray for all Christians contesting for one post or the other for the will of God to be done concerning their ambition. That the powerful in our nation will not be able to manipulate the election and edge them out. We will also pray for all captives in the den of the terrorists like Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls, to be set free immediately. That the general election should be free, fair and credible. That it should be violence – free and without any bloodshed.

    “That God should use the process to give the country good and godly leaders at all levels. That every evil plan against Nigeria be frustrated. That 2019 should be a New Dawn for Nigeria. That God should stop all groups behind the killings in Nigeria and their financiers. We urge you to please attach utmost importance to this prayer programme for 2019 elections.”

  • CAN urges Christians to show love at Christmas

    CHRISTIAN Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Rev. Samson Ayokunle has urged Christians home and abroad to keep showing love across religious and ethnic divides during and after the Christmas celebration.

    He advised them to live in peace and assist one another, no matter the situation.

    The clergy man prayed God to console and comfort those who have lost their loved ones at different killings across the country during the year.

    Ayokunle, who is also the president, the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), in a statement issue in Abuja, said: “I, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, on behalf of Christian Association of Nigeria, hereby felicitate with Christians all over our country Nigeria and all over the world on this great occasion of the commemoration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

    “The Christmas story is associated with the physical manifestation of the love of God to human race because God gave us his Son to redeem us from the original Adamic sin. No wonder his birth was originally announced by the angel with songs of joy and a message of goodwill to all men.

    “Therefore, we at Christian Association of Nigeria congratulate the entire human race for this gift of God, which all need to open up their hearts and receive for their redemption.

    “On the other hand, we specially congratulate Christians for a renewed hope the anniversary of his birth brought to us. What a privilege to know him as Lord and to know that God dwells with us daily bodily in Jesus of Nazareth.

    “We, therefore, urge all Christians to show love to all they come across or live with anywhere in the world. This is the true sign that we know the God of love. Showing love should cut across religious and ethnic divides. In Christ Jesus, there is no hatred at all.

    “Not only this, we enjoin you all that as you commemorate this event, we should maintain peace and order and equally give our best to others in the service of the Living God. Let us remember those who do not have food, clothing and other material needs around us and give them something out of the little or much we have. There is nothing too insignificant to spare or too big to give.

    “May this celebration be everlasting for you all and may you never have cause to weep at this season. For those experiencing hard times and discomfort, may the hope His birth brings to the world give you hope beyond what you are passing through in the name of Jesus. May God console and comfort all the bereaved as He heals those who are sick among us in Jesus’ Name. Merry Christmas to you all. God bless Nigeria.”

  • Reject desperate candidates, CAN advises Nigerians

    THROUGH its President, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday advised Nigerians not to vote for any desperate presidential candidate next year.

    Rev. Samson Ayokunle gave the counsel while briefing reporters after meeting with presidential candidates of 14 political parties in Abuja on their plans for Nigerians and the church.

    He was shocked by what he described as the high level of desperation among politicians in the run-up to the February election.

    The cleric warned of the likely breach of public peace during the election, if police, Army, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other security agencies do not conduct themselves properly.

    His words: “The motive of the meeting is not to take for granted the 2019 general elections. The church cannot keep quite in this situation because the church can only prosper when Nigeria prospers. If the 2019 election is not free and fair all Nigerians will be in trouble including the church.

    “When I spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari and told him that when we conducted the 2015 elections, people didn’t expect it to be so free and fair but the way the then administration conducted it gave us a sense of pride in the international community.

    “If the 2019 election is not better, if the police are not better-behaved, if the Army is not better-behaved, if INEC is not better-behaved, then it will be a failure.

    “If politicians are not better behaved and they show desperation it will be a failure. We are again warning politicians. The desperation we saw at the intra-party election is given us concern. If they can be so desperate and they end up fighting what will they do when they contest with opposition? The desperation is too much. “Whoever knows that he do not have any other job then politics should forget about contesting. The person should go and look for a job that will last him his life time. It is not compulsory that you should lead us. “Leading Nigeria is a sacrifice. Why do you want to lead by force? You do not need to destroy the entire land. When you said you must lead us at all cost, then, we should suspect you.

    “You need to know that the world is not created for you alone. If you do not win the 2019 election, heaven will not fall. We have millions on Nigerians who can do what you want to do. Do not set this nation on fire.

    “So, we have decided to reach out to the stakeholders and the presidential candidates to ask them their credentials for aspiring to the highest position in the country, and also the plan they have for all, including the church.”

     

     

    “You will agree with me that in the past few years, we have witnessed bloodshed in an unimaginable proportion and we cannot afford to lose more lives any longer. So, we need to really confront them with questions that matter about the future of our country.

    “We have reached a stage where whoever will lead us must not complain for not repositioning our economy. We have a short time to live on earth and everyday matters. We must live a better tomorrow for our children. So those who want to lead us must get serious. They must also know what we want them to do.”

    Those at the forum included: former Anambra State Governor Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential running mate Peter Obi, Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the former Education minister and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

  • Crisis hits CAN as leadership dissolves elders’ forum

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) over what it described as irreconcilable differences with its activities.

    The development is part of the outcome of its meeting where NEC also unanimously passed a vote of confidence in CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, for the achievements recorded under his leadership.

    Members of the NCEF include Solomon Asemota, SAN (Chairman); Vice President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Prof. Joseph Otubu; Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd); Archbishop Magnus Atilade; Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okpareke; Dr. Ayo Abifarin; Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd); Elder Moses Ihonde; Elder Nat Okoro and Gen. T. Y. Danjuma.

    Others are Elder Matthew Owojaiye; Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd); Elder Shyngle Wigwe; DIG P. L. Dabup; Sir John W. Bagu; Dr. Saleh Hussaini; Elder Mike Orobator; Justice James Ogebe, JSC (rtd); Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Chief Debo Omotosho; Dame Priscilla Kuye; Dr. S. D. Gani; Mrs. Osaretin Demuren; Prof. Yussuf Turaki and Pastor Bosun Emmanuel (Secretary).

    A statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, in Abuja yesterday said: “The National Executive Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at its meeting of Tuesday, November 20, 2018, unanimously applauded the CAN President for the unprecedented achievements recorded under his watch and dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) due to irreconcilable differences with its activities.

    “Recall how NCEF has been using the social media and a section of the traditional media to attack its leadership, especially the President, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, using unprintable words to label him due to his refusal to take directives from its members.

    “NEC sees all the negative and baseless publications against the CAN President as mere distractions and a calculated attempt to malign his integrity and derail him from his focus of giving CAN credible leadership.

    “In the Communique issued on Friday, November 30, 2018 in Abuja, CAN, among other things, immediately dissolves the National Christian Elders’ Forum (NCEF) which was inaugurated on Thursday, January 15, 2015 by the powers conferred on the then CAN President. CAN NEC, by the same powers that inaugurated the forum, forthwith dissolves and dissociates completely from the NCEF in view of the incongruous and unacceptable operations manifested consistently by the group.

    “CAN NEC dismisses in its entirety the publication of the immediate past National Youth CAN Chairman, Mr. Daniel David Kadzai, who, in The Guardian newspaper of Monday, November 12, 2018, P.9, alleged that the CAN President defrauded CAN of ‘over N2.8 billion’.

    “CAN regrets that a man who had served the Association in the past and was tolerated in spite of his numerous incompetent leadership skills, could not only be malicious, but impersonate himself as Chairman of the Congress of Northern Nigerian Christians (CNNC).

    “Although he has apologised for his falsehood by the said publication and has verbally retracted his claims, and the CNNC has equally denied him being their Chairman, it is important to set the records straight.

    “However, because he has apologised to CAN leadership, he has been forgiven in the spirit of Christ as recorded in Matthew 6:14-15.

    “The meeting critically examined the activities and programmes under the leadership of its President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, and resolved as following: That the CAN President should be appreciated for his courageous leadership at such a time as this in the history of our nation.

    “The CAN National Executive Committee is particularly pleased with the CAN President for consistently speaking out about the plight of numerous voiceless people in our country, chiefly, on the terrorist activities as unleashed by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and other terrorist groups on innocent Nigerians.

    “His struggle for the release of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls, Miss Leah Sharibu, a captive of her Christian faith by the Boko Haram group, and other innocent captives all over the country has been greatly applauded.

    Read also: Can PDP bounce back in 2019?

    “That the CAN President should be appreciated for his great concern and positive actions in caring for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) all over the country.

    “The Association recalled how CAN leadership travelled from state to state in the country, rendering support to people who have been displaced from their homes.

    “The CAN President should be appreciated for leading CAN in inter-faith activities which were almost completely closed up before he assumed office.

    “It was noticed that it was at his time that NIREC was revived and officials who were not giving the organisation the needed cooperation and cohesion were replaced.

    “The CAN President was appreciated for his ability to bring together Christian leaders from across the country to deliberate on moving the Nigerian Church forward. This was an unprecedented feat.

    “The CAN President was appreciated for ensuring that various court cases all over the country were withdrawn for out-of-court settlement.

  • CAN to President: restrain security agencies from interfering in 2019 polls

    With the 2019 general elections  approaching, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to issue a presidential order to the army, the police and other security agencies to be non-partisan, neutral and apolitical in the elections.

    The CAN leadership met with the President at the State House, Abuja, stressing that the non-interference of the security agencies would secure international respect and honour for the country in the comity of nations.

    According to the association, what was paramount to the association was the survival and peace of Nigeria rather than the ambition of any politician.

    It also told President Buhari to uphold the principle of rule of law by obeying court bails, especially on the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    The other demands made to the President included the overhauling of the security architecture of the country and the sack of the service chiefs, the resolution of the minimum wage controversy, the release of Leah Sharibu still in the captivity of Boko Haram.

    President Buhari told the group that his vision and objectives for Nigeria were very clear and that he was on course to achieving them.

    According to him, he was doing his best to fulfil his electoral promises of securing the country, fighting corruption and resuscitating the economy.

    Fighting corruption, he said, took a long time, especially with the need to adhere to the rule of law.

    Buhari said: “It is on record that some cases initiated by the anti-graft bodies since 2003 are yet to be concluded.

    “We will, however, not be discouraged. Where monies have been recovered, such monies will not find their way back to the looters as I have directed the EFCC to account for  money it has recovered and put it in a dedicated account.”

    While responding to the request of the CAN for an overhaul of the intelligence gathering system, President Buhari said the burden of intelligence gathering involved everyone, especially  district heads, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and religious leaders.

    He said bandits operating in various communities lived among the people and enjoined leaders of thought in various communities to avail security agencies of information about the criminals.

    President Buhari told the visitors that he had assurances from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that the 2019 elections would be free and fair as he had been a  victim of  fraudulent elections and a  beneficiary of a free and fair election in the past.

    The CAN President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, said: “The degree of desperation we saw in the politicians during the intra-party elections that took place recently do not give many people hope concerning 2019 unless serious steps are taken to let decency prevail.”

    The group commended  the President on some of the strides his administration has recorded.

    CAN President said: “CAN acknowledges some of the relative changes that your leadership has brought into being since the emergence of your Presidency, especially the creation of the awareness that corruption is a cancer in our nation which all of us must join hands together to exterminate before it exterminates us.

    “We are aware of the job opportunities being created through the office of the Vice President. This initiative has reduced the number of jobless teeming youths, especially graduates in the country. It is our hope that very soon, the economy will be totally recovered and all our closed industries and factories would be reopened to provide gainful employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed Nigerians.

    “In reality sir, despite the efforts of government in the area of security, Boko Haram terrorists are still attacking some soft targets. However, we are grateful to God that their audacity of hoisting flags where they had captured has become history. We commend Your Excellency over your determination, commitment and courage in bringing out the best out of our military.”

  • Our fears ahead 2019 polls, by Christians

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday raised the alarm on desperation of politicians ahead of the 2019 general elections saying it was a sign of danger.

    The President, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said if something urgent was not done to curtail such desperation, it could set the country on fire.

    Ayokunle, who spoke when he paid a courtesy call on the Bayelsa State Government, at the Government House, Yenagoa, also appealed to politicians to stop the violence and killings across the country.

    CAN President, who was received by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Real Admiral John Jonah (rtd), said the church was on its knees praying seriously for God to rule over the affairs of Nigeria ahead of the election.

    He said: “We are also parlaying with those in government, who can make things happen. Nigeria has to maintain peace and order to ensure free and fair election in 2019.

    “From the intra-party election, the kind of desperation we see in our politician is quite unacceptable and give us palpable fear that if care is not taken, the people may set the nation on fire, God forbid.

    “The church says no to any kind of violence and manipulation in this forthcoming election. And in line with that, we are not only speaking, we have decided to register with INEC as election observers”.

    He disclosed that CAN was training election observers to monitor the conducts of the forthcoming polls adding that it had already trained 300 monitors.

    He said: “We are already training observers all over the federation. We have trained over 300 persons presently from all the geopolitical zones of the country and these ones will train others.

    “It is our own hope that we will be able to place three observers in each polling booth so they will continue to report to us at the national office. I and my team will be visiting President Muhammadu Buhari, next week, to discuss the conduct of the election”.

    Ayokunle, also called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to arrest persons involving in killings across the country including armed herdsmen.

    “All the herdsmen that are committing the crime must be brought to book. If they are not arrested that means they are being encouraged to continue in their evil ways,” he said.

    The CAN boss described the 15,000 seater Ecumenical Centre built by Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, as a masterpiece.

    He said that the edifice surpasses the Abuja Ecumenical Centre built by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and solicited for good maintenance culture to preserve it for future generations.

    He requested the state government to allocate land to CAN to enable it build a secretariat for the Bayelsa Baptist Conference.

    He demanded completion of access roads to the Baptist Centre at Iyambiri-Zarama in Yenagoa Local Government Area, completion of a hospital and health centre under construction as well as provision of medical equipment in the area.

    While appreciating Dickson for appointing clergymen into positions of trust in his administration, Ayokunle prayed God to give him the wisdom, good health and foresight to continue his developmental projects in the state.

    He also used the occasion to commiserate with the governor on the death of his mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, who died of cancer in the USA.

    In a remark, Deputy Governor, John Jonah said churches made tremendous contributions to the development, peace and stability in the country.

    He appreciated the CAN leadership for the visit, noting that Bayelsa state is a Christian state with a Thanksgiving Day backed by law to appreciate God.

    He added that CAN’s request for land, among several others would be conveyed to Governor Dickson.

    He charged the clergy to continually pray for Bayelsa state and the country at large in view of the myriad of challenges facing the nation.

     

  • 2019 election: CAN declares 72 hours prayer for free, credible poll

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday declared  18-20 November, 2018 as days of non-stop praise to God for divine intervention on the next year’s general election and other problems facing the country. 

    The “72 hours Praise and Worship” is to be organized in all churches nationwide between 18th November, 2018 – 20th November, 2018 as from 7:00 am  and on the 18th – 6:00 pm 20th November, 2018. 

    The Programme is to celebrate the envisaged victory Nigeria will experience over economic, security challenges, social, religious and political problems Nigerians. 

    CAN, through the Acting General Secretary, Barrister Joseph Daramola, has asked all bloc leaders and their Secretaries, all Zonal chairmen, all State Chairmen and all denominational leaders to organize their church members in non-stop praise of God’s majesty over “the victory he has given us in Nigeria on all our challenges, especially His intervention over the coming general election.” 

    READ ALSO: Call on God to defend Nigeria, Adeboye tells Nigerians

    A statement issued by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, the Christian body said: “Having noted various challenges the country is going through, the CAN Leadership considered the need for us to organize a strategic three days of non-stop praise over them in the country (as was done in the Bible in 2 Chronicles Chapter 20), especially the forthcoming 2019 elections with a view to stopping a crisis-ridden election that will not be free, fair and credible. 

    “The praise is also about the victory we believe God has given the Church in Nigeria over all powers of darkness that want to engulf the Church in whatever guise. We should praise God that bloodshed will be no more in Nigeria. A bad leader will not be elected as our President in 2019. All human efforts to manipulate elections will fail and Leah Sharibu and all those in captivity will be released. 

    “All churches in the country are urged to participate in the programme to usher the country into a new era of peace, unity, safety and all round prosperity.”

  • CAN condemns murder of Abuja clerics

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the murder of Rev. Michael Akawu of the Catholic Church and Rev. Hosea Akuchi of the Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC).

    Both clerics were killed by gunmen in Abuja and Kaduna State.

    A statement by the media aide to CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said the late Fr. Akawu was reportedly shot by yet-to-be identified gunmen in Gwagwalada while shopping on Saturday.

    Akawu was an assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish, Dobi Village, near Gwagwalada.

    The statement reads: “On August 19, about 1am, hoodlums suspected to be Fulani terrorists attacked Nasara Baptist Church in Guguwa, near Rigasa in Kaduna, shot Rev. Hosea Akuchi and kidnapped his wife, Talatu.

    “Her whereabouts remain unknown and the criminals have demanded N5 million ransom.

    “Akawu, who was ordained priest in 2017 by the Archbishop of Abuja, Rev. John Cardinal Onayeikan, was the first FCT indigenous Catholic priest to be ordained.

    “The leadership of the CAN commiserates with the leadership of the Catholic Church and the NBC on the deaths of their clerics killed in Abuja and Kaduna State.

    “CAN prays God to comfort and console the churches and their families. We also call on the police and other security agencies to do bring the culprits to book and rescue Rev. Akuchi’s widow.”

  • CAN urges DSS, police, military, others to shun partisanship

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged security operatives involved in the conduct of elections not to be biased.

    It said if the advice was taken, it would be for the development of the country.

    CAN enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make sure eligible voters were allowed to register, adding: “They should go and study how elections are conducted in a country like Ghana under a free and fair atmosphere that is better than ours. We frown at the vote-buying culture, which has characterised recently-conducted elections. It is a shame of international proportion.”

    A statement by the Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said CAN rejoiced with Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. It said: “We wish to caution the Police, Department of Security Services, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies involved in the conduct of election to shun partisanship. They should remain apolitical for the sake of the country. After all, leaders will come and go, but Nigeria will remain.

    “As we are in another election year, we enjoin our politicians to stop vote buying, violence, blood-letting and other evils associated with campaign and election. It is regrettable to note that many of our politicians are not aspiring to serve, but to amass wealth at our expense. This is why election has become a do-or-die affair. If a party fulfils what was promised, violence, force and intimidation will not be needed to retain the seat.”