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Tag: Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

  • CAN, PFN back Christians in politics

    Christians, including pastors, have been encouraged to seek political leadership through elections.
    Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as well as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), in Delta state, made the assertion in a congratulatory message to Reverend Francis Waive, who emerged House of Representative candidate on the platform of the All Progressives’ Congress in Delta state.
    Rev. Waive is contesting for the Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu federal constituency seat, in the National Assembly.
    The clergymen, while describing such a move as one that will bring good to the nation, noted that when the ‘righteous rule, the people rejoice’.
    According to the CAN chairman, Delta state chapter, Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, the church will continue to support Christians, especially pastors, to take active interest in politics.
    Okorote, while noting that pastors have equal rights as other humans to vote and be voted for, stressed that there is nothing wrong with pastors going into politics.
    “Pastors are human beings, we are encouraging men of God (Christians) to go into politics, its more better to have a pastor rule you than a traditional worshiper,” the CAN chairman stated.

    Read Also: Catholic board to candidates: shun unholy alliance with groups

    On his part, state president of the PFN, Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi, described the APC candidate’s victory as a victory of the Church.
    Enakirerhi, while optimistic that he (Waive) will win the final elections come 2019, hoped that through him good governance will be established in the Green Chamber.
    “We rejoice with him for the victory, and we pray just as we have always, that he will not just win the primary but also the seat of the house of representative and help us to bring good governance to the house of Rep.
    “We wish him higher positions, from being a member of house of representative to being a  senator and then, the President of Nigeria because the likes of Waive will do great things for us.
    “He is a tested and trusted leader in the body of Christ right from his pastoral life, his school days as a president of student union.
    “He has been a frontier leader, focused, firing and faired better at whatever he does, we rejoice with him. The victory of Waive is the victory of the entire church of God,” the PFN president said.

  • CAN declares 72 hours prayer for free, fair, 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 his Divine intervention over the next year 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 on the 18th – 6:00 pm 20th November, 2018.

    The Programme is to celebrate the envisaged victory Nigeria is going to experience over economic, security challenges, social, religious and political problems Nigerians are facing as a Nation.

    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: ‘We can’t understand why Leah still held’

    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.”

  • Akwa Ibom CAN denies endorsing APC governorship candidate

    The Akwa Ibom state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has denied endorsing the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obong (Dr.) Nsima Ekere.
    State chairman of CAN, Rev(Dr.) Ndueso Ekwere in a press briefing in Uyo on Saturday said the association has not endorsed Ekere or any other governorship candidate of other political parties.
    Ekwere said he was misrepresented by some sections of the local media that it endorsed the APC governorship candidate when he paid a consultation visit to him and members of his executive.
    He said the consultation visit by the APC governorship candidate was devoid of any political connotation, adding that he merely  advised Ekere and his team to play politics with godliness and decorum.
    “On the matter of political parties and endorsement of candidates by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), that is going virile around the state and beyond in print and social media particularly alleging CAN’s endorsement of the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Nsima Ekere.

    Read Also: ‘I won’t play politics with Akwa Ibom’s development’

    ” Let me say here unequivocally that CAN, Akwa Ibom state has not at anytime made such endorsement.
    “CAN is apolitical and an open church for all denominations and individuals who are Christians by their worship conduct.
    ” Every church has a mixed membership and I have not seen or heard any church so far that carries out accreditation before their worship session to know those that belong to certain political parties and then screen them out”, he said.

  • Christian leaders demand release of Leah Sharibu, Chibok girls

    A Christian civil society organization, Catalyst for Global Peace and Social Justice Initiative, CPJ, in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has demanded for the release of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl who, for over seven months, has remained in Boko Haram captivity along with the remaining 112 Chibok girls.

    The group made this plea at a prayer session held for Leah and the abducted girls which took place at the National Christian Center in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Read Also:Anglican primate to FG: Don’t forget other Chibok Girls, Leah Sharibu

    The group expressed its displeasure at the threat by the Boko Haram terrorists to kill Leah Sharibu and two others in their custody, non-release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as the inability of security agencies to arrest the activities of kidnappers, ritualists, and insurgents.

    The Convener, CPJ Global, Pastor Abraham Aiyedogbon, condemned the abductions by Boko Haram, referring to it as “a show of gutless brutality by a group with a false claim to Islamic principles and endowed with criminal access to weapons of cruelty and mass murder.”

    He called on the federal government to use all its power to ensure the immediate release of Leah Sharibu before the threat deadline approaches to avoid the same situation that happened when Boko Haram murdered Suifura Khorsa, the Red Cross health worker.

    “It is bad enough that following the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls in 2014 during Jonathan’s administration, the Buhari administration would allow a recurrence of that incident with the February 2018 kidnapping of Dapchi girls,” he stated.

    “It is much worse that Leah was held back by her abductors on account of her heroic refusal to renounce her Christian faith when government negotiated the release of the Dapchi girls.

    “It is inexcusable that some eight months after her abduction, the Federal Government has not been able to secure Leah Sharibu’s release.”

    He also called on security agencies to bring kidnappers, ritualists, and terrorists to book, and adjured the FG to ensure that the 2019 elections remain credible, free, and fair.

    The General Overseer of the All Christians Fellowship Mission (ACFM), Rev. William Okoye, who represented the President of CAN, Olasupo Ayokunle, commended the initiative made by the groups to hasten the release of the girls and health workers in captivity and urged the federal government to harken to the cries of Christians.

    He made it clear that as long as the girls remain in captivity, the Independence Day celebrations and the 2019 elections are all in vain.

  • Religious leaders carpet JOHESU, FG over strike

    Ex-national commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Osun state, Prof Razak Abubakre and former Kwara state scribe of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev Cornelius Fawenu have blamed the Federal Government and health workers on the current Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU)’s strike.

    They both said the action of the workers is morally and spiritually not bad. Abubakre, a retired professor of Islamic Studies from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) said that the workers are “entrusted with the care, concern and treatment of patients in the hospital. Money is important but it is secondary. Secondly, the primary role of the health workers is to save lives; when you are on such sensitive appointment, if you go on strike you are dishonouring your role as an instrument in the hands of God.

    “Thirdly, if you pay Zakat on the money being paid for the work not done there is no reward for it. Eating from the money they pay you from the job you did not do is haram. “Workers should not go on strike on frivolities and asking for parity with those who are trained for seven years. It is unfair. They should look for something else to talk about not on parity. Ab initio the structure of the strike is very weak. It is unreasonable. Even if it is reasonable the strike is not good.

    Read Also:Religious leaders carpet JOHESU, FG over strike

    “The Federal Government should be responsible enough by encouraging the culture of no strike. Government should listen to complaints before workers embark on strike. It should be alive to prevent strike.

    “Going on strike for months by the health workers is not fair to all as nobody knows who is the next victim of emergency?

    “The policy of no work no pay is another reactionary move by government. I don’t want no work no pay. That is an attempt to muzzle up labour instead of by mutual understanding.”

    Rev Fawenu, former Special Adviser to Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah

    Ahmed on Religious Matters said: “I am looking at the strike from both moral and biblical perspectives. From the biblical perspective, the scripture is very unambiguous with working and its commensurate wages. It says he who does not work is not expected to eat. It is not right
    and immoral to expect payment for the work you have not done. The scripture also says the wages of labourer must be paid without delay.

    “In the particular case of JOHESU, part of the agitation is that the wages they are being paid have not been commensurate with the work they have done in the past. And they are also asking for improved services.

    “It is for them to consider the nature of their work in this particular case. Their work has some humanitarian dimension. This is a work that somebody the humanity side of you should be able to make you to be considerate. Those who are actually suffering from this strike now are not people in government. Those that are well to do access Medicare outside the shores of Nigeria. They need to be considerate of the masses. They have a good cause but that turn to bad one if they are not considerate of the masses.

    “I urge the government to at least sit up by setting its priorities right and do the right thing because something necessitated what has happened. Let us go back to the issue and deal with the roots.”

  • Kaduna: NOA begins sensitisation electorate,forthcoming LGs elections

    The National Orientation Agency ( NOA ), in Kaduna State on Thursday commenced sesitisation of electorate on the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.

    Alhaji Zubairu Galadima-Soba, Kaduna State Director of NOA, while launching the sensitisation programme in Zaria  said the essence of the exercise was to educate the electorate toward successful elections.

    The newsmen reports that the programme is tagged: Sensitisation and Mobilisation of Electorate Towards the 2018 Local Government Elections”.

    The newsmen also reports that the sensitisation is under “Change Begins With Me campaign on conservation and protection of public assets and critical infrastructure”.

    Galadima-Soba said the programme was geared towards free, fair, credible and hitch-free local government elections across the state.

    “Our duty in NOA is to sensitise the general public on government policies and programmes and in turn we take information whether good or bad from public to government.

    “In essence, we facilitate the flow of information from top to button and from button to top, therefore, election is not an exception, hence the need for this sensitisation’’, he said.

    The director advised youths to shun political thuggery, saying that such attitude was detrimental not only to the success of the elections but also to societal growth.

    He urged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, advising that they should be mindful of the fact that proper upbringing lies in their hands.

    Galadima-Soba encouraged the electorate come out en masse to exercise their franchise, saying that it was their legitimate right that no one would afford to miss.

    Read Also: Kaduna: Two mechanics face trial for alleged assault

    The director lamented the menace of drug abuse especially among the youths, adding that there was need for the society to take decisive action to reduce its spread.

    “We don’t need the security agencies to reduce the menace of drug abuse, it is our responsibility as parents and members of the society to take measures to reduce this ugly trend’’.

    In his speech, the Administrator, Zaria Local Government, Alhaji Tukur Abubakar-Yero stressed the need for people to cooperate towards a hitch-free local government elections.

    He lauded the courage and foresight of NOA for taking a bold step to organise the sensitisation programme.

    The newsmen reports that the sensitisation exercise drew participants from Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission ( KADSIECOM ), INEC, security agencies and Jama’atu Nasril Islam ( JNI ), Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) among others.

    The newsmen also reports that questions and answers were entertained during the programme.

    NAN

  • Benue killings: Avoid reprisal attacks, Bishop urges Christians

    The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has advised Christians in Benue to remain faithful to the tenets of their religion and avoid reprisals inspite  of unprovoked attacks on churches and killings.

    The advice was contained in a message to all parishes under the Diocese of Makurdi on Sunday.

    Reading the message on behalf of the bishop, Rev.  Father  Tavershima Tyagher  of the Catholic Youth Centre Parish, Makurdi, recalled the gruesome murder of the two priests at Saint Ignatius Parish, Mbalom, in Gwer East Local Government Council.

    He said their memory would forever remain  indelible in the minds of Christians  in the area.

    Anagbe described the  killings  as “an act of sacrilege”, saying Joseph Gor, one of the murdered priests, was actually in the process of consecrating the Eucharist when the herders struck and killed him in cold blood.

    “They first shot him three times but sensing that he was not  dead, they dragged him outside the church and slaughtered him.

    “For Father Felix Tyolaha, he was preparing for the burial of a parishioner when they came and killed him with his catchiest;  both deaths were in cold blood.

    “As  Christians, we are not to take revenge but continue to focus on Christ who  was also killed in order to secure salvation for mankind,’’ he said.

    He expressed optimism that their deaths  would never go unpunished and urged Christians to continue to offer prayers for the peace of the country and of the state.

    The Bishop said the times were ” tough” but called for relentless prayers for priests and their parishioners all over the state and warned against reprisal attacks.

    He said the murdered priests and the other worshippers would be buried at the Ave Maria prayer pilgrimage ground at Ikpayongo on May 22 as a mark of honour to them.

    Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) has declared Monday to April 6 as days of mourning and urged Christians in the state to fast and pray for Gods’ intervention to end the  bloodshed in the state.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa killings: Monarch, CAN sue for peace, warn against attacks

    The Andoma of Doma in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Aliyu Ogah, has called for peace among farmers and herdsmen for the socio-economic development of the state and the country.

    Ogah made the call on Thursday at his palace in Doma during a peace talk with the officials of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ), Doma chapter.

    He said that peaceful co-existence among communities would also boost food production in the state.

    “When farmers and herdsmen co-exist peacefully, the situation will enhance food security and the socio-economic well being of the people in particular and the economic development of the state.

    “Peace is priceless and non-negotiable, that is why, I want to sue for peace among my people, especially among farmers and herdsmen so that both of them will enjoy the fruits of their labour.

    “Peace is also the necessary requirement for the development of any society, hence the need for all of us to see ourselves as brothers’ keepers in the interest of development.

    “As no society will develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion,” he said.

    The Andoma of Doma, who lamented the crisis in some parts of the state, advised communities against reprisal attacks.

    He urged his subjects to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and live in peace irrespective of their differences.

    Read Also: Herdsmen kill seven IDPs in Nasarawa attack

    Rev.Joseph Anzaku, the Chairman of CAN in the area, said that the visit was aimed at partnering with the Emirate Council in order to promote peace among the people of the area and in the state.

    Anzaku advised communities affected by the recent mayhem against reprisal attacks, saying that no religion preached violence but all religions preached peace and unity.

    He assured the Monarch that he would continue to advocate for peaceful co-existence among religious groups in the area for sustainable development.

    The newsmen reports that areas in Nasarawa Southern Senatorial district such as Keana, Obi, Awe and Doka in Doma local government area of the state had recently faced attacks by suspected herdsmen.

    NAN

  • Freedom of Leah: CAN declares peaceful protest, prayers

    The Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) has declared intention to embark on peaceful protest and prayers against unending killings and freedom of Leah Sharibu and Chibok school girls on Sunday, April 29.

    CAN made the declaration in a statement following the killing of two Catholic priests; Rev.Fr Joseph Gor, Rev.Fr Felix Tyolaha and 17 worshippers of St. Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpor-Mbalom, Gwer East LGA of Benue State.

    The statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, on Wednesday in Abuja, described the killing as an Anomie.

    He said that the protest is going to hold in every church’s premises to ask the Federal Government and the security agencies to stop the unending killings and bloodshed in the country.

    Oladeji urges all and sundry to continue to pray for peace and tranquility of Nigeria and most importantly, for the parents and relations of all abducted school children.

    He called on Christians to also pray for the bereaved families of those attacked by the Boko Haram terrorists, armed herdsmen, bandits and other criminals.

    He reminded Christians across the federation the importance of the forthcoming general elections and the need for them to fully participate by going to obtain their voters cards.

    The cleric noted that Christians were expected to carry placards on April 29 with inscriptions meant to address issues about sustained killings, attacks and destruction of their property in Nigeria.

    The inscriptions on placards would read enough of bloodshed in Nigeria; enough of unlawful killings in the country, FG, Release Leah Sharibu from bondage, FG, Stop Herdsmen Killings and CAN reject insecurity.

    “We call upon the government to perform their constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens now.

    “No excuse should be given for this wicked act again and perpetrators must be brought to book now,’’ he said.

    Oladeji appealed to the government to mount different effective plans aimed at disarming herdsmen across the northern states and in communities where they have been wreaking havoc across the country.

    He noted that the failure to raise an effective campaign against the killings by herdsmen was the reason they have continued to kill, adding that there was need for visible plan to pacify the aggrieved.

    He also called on the heads of the security agencies to wake up to their constitutional role of protecting lives and property across the federation.

    The CAN official stressed the need for the government to prevent Nigeria from descending into a lawless country.

    He recalled with pains, disappointments, and worries how Nigerians in the North East, Middle Belt and southern parts of Nigeria became endangered with attacks from Boko Haram, herders and bandits.

    “It contends that such developments are not only inimical to the progress and development of Nigeria, they will continue to weaken the unity of the country, if left unchecked,’’ he said.

    NAN