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Tag: Oritsejafor

  • Oritsejafor and the spirit of Judas

    Oritsejafor and the spirit of Judas

    In an interview with the Vanguard newspaper, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor spoke mournfully of the spirit of Judas as a factor in church destabilisation and division. That spirit, which he reiterates does not die, predisposes its host to betrayal and suicide, and is clearly evident in the church in Nigeria. He also groaned about the contempt Christians have for one another in these parts, especially for their leaders in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and for him in particular. If an advertisement excoriating the Sultan of Sokoto were sent out to newspapers, he hypothesized, they would decline to publish it. Conversely, sneered Pastor Oritsejafor, if an advertisement lampooning the CAN leader were given to newspapers, most of which are owned by Christians, they would enthusiastically oblige publication on prominent pages. “We betray each other; we compete with one another; we will do anything to destroy each other; we are so individualistic in our thinking,” he wailed.

    To illustrate very vividly how badly division among Christians has retarded church growth, Pastor Oritsejafor drew upon the lessons of history to justify his sweeping conclusions. Virtually the entire North Africa was at one time Christian, he reminded everyone. And Turkey, which is now essentially Muslim, was so Christian before Ottoman rule that the seven churches to which Jesus Christ addressed his seven letters were located in that geographic space. And Tarsus, famously Pauline, was also located in Turkey, not to talk of one of, if not the most, adorable and magnificent architectural pieces of those times built in Constantinople. Pastor Oritsejafor amply proved his point. Church division is doubtless a factor in the slowing of church expansion and growth, and few can question the CAN leader’s bona fides, nor his absolute commitment to the work of Christ.

    The problem, however, is how conveniently he blames others while exculpating himself. He is right to identify division in the church, much of it needless and wasteful; and he is even righter to remark how easily and heedlessly Christians take one another to court, even before non-Christian judges, though the scriptures say they will judge the world. Few can question Pastor Oritsejafor’s exegesis, let alone his breathtaking familiarity with church history. But can the CAN president realistically exonerate himself from the morass that has overtaken the church specifically under his watch? Is it true that the media is needlessly harsher on him than it is on others, including the Sultan of Sokoto? Is the problem just a matter of petty division, acrimony and rivalry?

    It does appear, however, that whatever divisions plagued the church were nothing out of the ordinary until the CAN presidency of Pastor Oritsejafor turned them into a spectre. There were divisions in the early church, but these did not bar the spread of the gospel, as the Book of Acts illustrated clearly, and Apostle Paul himself alluded to in some of his epistles. In those days, there were exegetical differences and methodological disagreements. Despite these abutments, the church expanded and flourished until, in particular, the Middle Ages, when complacency, doctrinal corruption,  yoking with the state, and other distractions lured Christians into idolatry and bigotry. In like manner, what ails the church in Nigeria today is probably less the matter of division as it is evidently the Christian leaders’ quest for identification with the state and immersion in the pleasures and wealth of the times.

    Let Pastor Oritsejafor carry out intense self-examination before he points fingers of guilt at other Christians. It is true division exists in the church, but there is no human organisation, not to talk of the highly subjective and emotive world of religion, where that problem does not fester. The unity the CAN leader craves is utopian. It is not evident among the hosts of heaven, and it will not be evident on earth until the end of days. The division Pastor Oritsejafor observes does not militate against church growth as much as the loss of focus of church leaders obliterates Christian influence in parts of the world, as the CAN leader himself observed of the Maghreb and Turkey. The early church grew despite apostasy, horrifying spectacles of persecution, and extreme deprivation. If the modern church is not growing in Nigeria as Pastor Oritsejafor hopes, he should locate the problem elsewhere. It is certainly not because those he expects to respect him and unite around his leadership instead fear the Sultan of Sokoto.

    The CAN leader should ask himself what he did to advance the Christian principles and values he and other leaders like himself inherited from the early church. He should ask himself whether his closeness to the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, helped to preserve and advance the cause of the gospel both of them claim to be enamoured of, or whether that closeness did in fact constitute a hindrance and a drawback to promoting Christ in Nigeria. He must ask himself whether the controversies that swirled around him, including the commercialisation of his private/missionary jet, portrayed him and the gospel well. Reading the interview closely, it seemed more the remonstrances of a pastor needled by guilt, of a pastor unwilling to admit he should have done things differently, of a pastor who though brilliant and committed to the gospel nonetheless can’t bring himself to admit he did any wrong. His exculpation will, however, not be complete until he admits that his relationship with the former president went beyond the finest ideals enunciated by the early church.

     

  • CAN: Inside the battle to succeed Oritsejafor

    CAN: Inside the battle to succeed Oritsejafor

    Since its establishment in 1976, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has seen national presidents come and go without much ado. But the run-off to the election of a new president in March 2016 is causing serious ripples in the apex Christian body, reports Sunday Oguntola.

    Forces within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have intensified surreptitious moves to succeed the National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, whose tenure ends next March.

    Findings by our correspondents revealed that the apex Christian body has been divided into two main camps in the run-off to the election.

    Both camps, according to investigations, have settled for candidates from the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), which is favoured to clinch the presidency. Of all five blocs within the umbrella body, only the OAIC and ECWA/TEKAN have never produced the body’s presidency. It was gathered that leaders of ECWA/TEKAN opted out of contention if Otubu, one of the major candidates, is in the race.

    The shift to OAIC, it was gathered, is to give the bloc a sense of belonging and rotate the top seat in such a way that none of them feels marginalised or sidelined.

    The case for Otubu

    The first camp is rooting for the General Evangelist of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Elder Prof. Joseph Otubu to take over from Oritsejafor.

    Otubu, a renowned retired gynaecologist, is a postgraduate trainer. He was Senior Registrar/Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Murtala Mohammed Hospital, Jos (1977) and Lecturer/Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Ahmadu Bello University/Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (1979).

    He was Senior Lecturer/Consultant (1984-1987), Associate Professor (1987-1990), and Professor/Consultant (1990-2001) at University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State.

    He was head of Department, then Dean of Medical School at the University of Jos. At the University of Jos/Jos University of Jos Teaching, Professor Otubu established a subspecialty unit of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility that was best equipped in this country for infertility workup.

    He was the Pioneer Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja and First Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

    Widely travelled and exposed, Otubu has written several chapters in textbooks and published over 100 scientific papers in national and international Journals. He was editor in chief, Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1989-1999) and Editor in chief, African Journal of Infertility and Assisted Conception (New).

    Professor Otubu has served as Member/Chairman on several health boards at various times; Presidential Visitation Panel to BUK, National Committee on Assisted Reproductive Health Research and Development; African Task Force on Reproductive Health, WHO (Afro); Faculty board of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NPMC; Nigerian Reference Committee, RCOG, PERFAR HP Fellowship Advisory Board, Delta State University Teaching Hospital Board, etc.

    His father, Late Elder Dr. Godfrey Otubu, was Director of Finance, Federal Ministry of Defence and former Baba Aladura and Prelate of Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Church (ESCOCS). The church arguably witnessed its best era under the leadership of the elder Otubu.

    It is believed that Otubu enjoys the backing of Oritsejafor, who critics accused of trying to impose the retired gynecologist on the body as his successor. Findings revealed that Oritsejafor is disposed to Otubu because of the latter’s professional pedigree and no-nonsense approach.

    A source, who confided in our correspondent last week, said: “Pastor Ayo loves him because he is a core professional. He is a preacher but also a professional and administrator. CAN has always had preacher-leaders and the president feels the body needs to move in a different direction to face the challenges of modern years.”

    Some members of the camp, who spoke with our correspondent, also claimed that Otubu is highly principled and incorruptible aside from his professional background. They point to the fact that he has always carried out secular and spiritual assignments without stains to overwhelming applause.

    Otubu is also seen as conservative and a quiet operator who will deliver the goodies to CAN and sanitise the body after its much-maligned foray into politics at the last general elections. To actualise his emergence, it was gathered that the Christian Elders Forum, a powerful group within the body, is set to adopt him as the sole candidate at the forthcoming National Assembly elections in March 2016.

    The forum was established by Oritsejafor some two years ago to offer policy direction and strategies for the apex Christian organisation. Otubu is a prominent member of the forum said to comprise highly influential Christians drawn from different sectors of life.

    Otubu, who lived for years in the north, is said to have the confidence of delegates from the region who see him as one of their own. The region voted overwhelmingly for Oritsejafor in May 2010 much to the chagrin of entrenched orthodox churches in the organisation.

    The forces against Otubu

    But Otubu’s choice is facing stiff resistance from forces indisposed to the agenda. First, they allege that his choice amounts to imposition, which they claim is alien to the succession game of the body. Oritsejafor, according to some voices within CAN, cannot solely determine his successor.

    One of them, who spoke under strict anonymity, said: “The plot is one of the challenges we have against our national president. The man has politicised CAN to the point that he is thinking of installing his successor. This is alien to us as a body. No retiring president has ever shown interest in who succeeds him.

    “But Oritsejafor is carrying on as if he owns CAN. He is running the place as a political entity. We will not accept this and will resist his move with all that we have.”

    So, the perception that Otubu is Oritsejafor’s candidate is making him a hard-sell among some blocs within CAN. They also point to the fact that he was excommunicated by ESOSCS over alleged contravention of church’s rules and regulations in 2012. They wonder how a leader excommunicated by the church his father once led could turn around to head the Christian community in Nigeria.

    Otubu, the forces also point out, is neither the head of a church nor that of a bloc in line with constitutional requirement for the body’s national presidency. There is also the allegation that Oritsejafor is planning to handover to someone from Delta State, making some to wonder if CAN is now an extension of the oil-rich state.

    The votes for Atilade 

    To stave off his emergence, the forces have pitched their tent with the South West chairman of the body, Archbishop Magnus Atilade. Atilade studied Pre-Medicine at the University of Ibadan before leaving for the University of Minnesota, USA where he obtained his first and second degrees in Medicine and DCM.

    He was at the North Western College of Chiropractic Medicine for his doctorate and finally attended St. Paul’s Seminary for a Bachelor’s degree in Theology.

    The president of Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria and Overseas (GBCNO) was chairman, Model Neighbourhood Planning Council (MNPC), St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A; Medical Director – Coccus Hill Chiropractic Clinic and Consultant, St. Paul, Minnesota U.S.A.

    He holds an award of outstanding American at the National Awards in 1976 during America’s Bicentennial Celebrations. He was chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State Branch in 1999 and President, Nigeria-CUBA Association.

    He is also President and Provost, Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Chairman, Organisation of African Institute of Churches (OAIC), South-West; Chairman, Nigerian Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (NOIC); President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Public Management of Nigeria (CIPMN) and Co-chairman, Inter-Faith Forum International Council of Nigeria.

    He is married to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilade. He has become a rallying point for those opposed to the alleged plot to install Otubu. Many consider him highly connected in political circles and energetic enough to give CAN a fresh, less combative outlook.

    Like Otubu, Atilade also comes from a lineage of priests. His father, Archbishop Emmanuel Atilade, was an evangelical preacher of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), who left to start the Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria and Overseas (GBCNO). The elder Atilade was also an educationist who founded many mission schools in Lagos and across the nation.

    Those working for him believe he has the charisma and connection to take the body to the next level. He is said to be committed to the welfare of Christians across the nation with the different Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) under his guidance. His camp lays claims to massive support from the CCN and Catholic Secretariat blocs of CAN.

    Cases against Atilade

    But Atilade is seen by his critics as overly ambitious. They allege that as current Chairman of CAN and OAIC in the South West, he has enough in his hands to attend to. To be bidding for the presidency of CAN, they say, amounts to asking for too much. They also say he is unacceptable to Christian leaders. To underscore this, his critics refer to the failed bid to clinch the national presidency of OAIC last week in Abuja.

    The acting chairman of OAIC, Elder Napo Emuchay, received a resounding vote of confidence from delegates at the conference. He was approved as substantive leader of the bloc for another two years. Atilade’s nomination, according to feelers, was rejected by delegates. The development is a setback to Atilade’s move to have the body nominate him for the top CAN position.

    Many also accused him of being a herbal doctor, claiming his practice of Chiropractic medicine is an indirect endorsement of traditional medicine. Atilade has rejected the claims at different fora, claiming he is only a practitioner of alternative medicine with no attachment to diabolical acts.

    Atilade is also seen to be too close to politicians, a development many fear may further dent the body’s image should he become the national president. Some of his critics say he is merely trying to capitalise on the power-shift to OAIC bloc, saying his church should ordinarily belong to the CCN group, like the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC).

     The intrigues

    Both candidates have been moving behind the scene to sell their agenda to top members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of CAN. Sources say they have been reaching out during meetings and personal consultations to those who can be sympathetic to their candidacy.

    The development, it was gathered, is generating ripples among top Christian leaders with many of them expressing worries that the tussle could snowball into a major mess for the organisation.

    Informed sources said the constitutional review of CAN was suspended last week pending the election of a new president. The move, it was learnt, was to forestall the possibility of any interested camps hijacking the process in its favour.

    Otubu speaks

    Otubu told our correspondent that he is vying for the post after much pressure from people and divine confirmation. He said he was approached by many in the body to come over and move it to the next level. According to him: “It was never my idea or ambition. Some people came to me and said I should offer myself for service.

    “I wasn’t keen and told them to join me in praying about it. I started getting signals that God wants me to serve His body. So, I am not in this because I want to. I am there because people and God want me there.”

    He said his major agenda would be to unite the body. “I want to bring unity to CAN. That is the major thing to do because you must have internal unity to be effective as a Christian organisation. I want to unite all the blocs because only then can we be powerful as a community.”

    Otubu further stated that he also intends to organise training programmes in the form of short courses for church leaders to improve their effectiveness. The short courses, he explained, could be on ecumenism, for example. The doctor-preacher also said he would bring all past presidents of the body together to serve in advisory committee so that CAN could benefit from their wealth of experience.

    Reacting to claims that he is the preferred candidate of the outgoing president, Otubu said that was far from the truth. According to him: “I have never spoken to the President of CAN about it. He has never spoken to me about it either. I’m surprised that people are trying to associate me with him.”

    He also dismissed claims that he and Oritsejafor are from Delta State as a non-issue. CAN, according to him, operates with blocs not states. Otubu further explained: “In the area of competence, where you come from doesn’t matter. We are from the same state but different blocs and denominations.”

    He also dispelled the notion that he is an outsider, saying he has been in national CAN for over 15 years and served not less than three presidents. “I know about the workings of CAN inside out. I am surprised people are saying I am an outsider. I have served under former Presidents Akinola, Onaiyekan and Oritsejafor. I have been in NIREC for years. I am more than an insider because I know how the organisation functions.”

    Atilade opens up

    On his part, Atilade said he threw his hat into the ring because “I am a special vessel in the hands of God.” He said he derives pleasure from serving God and humanity, saying the CAN top post is an opportunity “to do much more for God as His servant.”

    On claims that he is of the CCN and not OAIC bloc, Atilade said that is a non-issue. According to him: “There is freedom of association. We didn’t just join OAIC today; you know I am a national official of OAIC. We have been there for years. Ours is an indigenous church, not established or sponsored by foreign mission organisations like the NBC.”

    Reacting to allegations that he is overly ambitious and should make do with the two national assignments in his hands, Atilade said: “Experience is not something you can just wake up and claim to have had. I have been in CAN for over 20 years.

    “If I have served well as CAN and OAIC South West chairmen, there is nothing wrong in wanting to serve God’s people in higher capacity. This is not about ambition but deploying all I have garnered over the years to do a better job for the Christian community.”

    Dismissing the notion that he is close to politicians, Atilade said: “I am a friend to all. My bible teaches me to be at peace with all men. I have the capacity to manage people from different spheres of life. Politicians are human beings and I cannot run away from them. I don’t see that as a challenge because it is what you do with being close to them that really counts.”

    He said he is gunning for the presidency to protect the interests of Christians and defend persecuted saints. “I love our people to be safe and well-looked after. That is what I have always done. I am all for welfare and equity. That is what we need now.”

  • Okotie on Jonathan and Oritsejafor

    Okotie on Jonathan and Oritsejafor

    Last Sunday, Chris Okotie, General Overseer of the Household of God Church set the cats among the pigeons when he declared the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president Ayo Oritsejafor a false prophet for allegedly predicting that ex-president Goodluck Jonathan would win the 2015 poll. Even if he was right about Pastor Oritsejafor’s prophecy, the way Rev Okotie spoke indicated he was probably gloating over the CAN president’s prophetic mishap. “Pastor Oritsejafor deceived Jonathan with a false prophecy from God that he (Jonathan) would win the election convincingly,” sneered Rev Okotie. “The man (Jonathan) became convinced to contest after Oritsejafor had told him, using CAN’s name, that God had ordained him the winner of the 2015 presidential election.”

    To underscore how badly he was dismayed by Pastor Oritsejafor’s relationship with the former president, Rev Okotie disclosed that some top CAN and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) leaders knew about the errant prophecy but kept mute for fear. “They couldn’t speak out because they were scared of being insulted,” he lamented. “They were scared of being insulted for saying rubbish. They were scared of being insulted on the pages of newspapers. So, while I continued to write and speak that Jonathan was not the man, those of them who knew the truth in what I was saying chose to keep quiet out of fear.”

    All the other statements by Rev Okotie on the CAN president’s alleged prophetic excursions were difficult to decipher. “I told CAN and PFN that Jonathan was not of God; that whosoever would win would be one that had built a tabernacle in the presence of God,” the critical preacher said. Perhaps it was not reported, and the reporter must thus be blamed for the omission, but what kind of tabernacle was the Rev referring to? Did the eventual winner, Muhammdu Buhari, build any such tabernacle? Would to God the Rev had broken his imageries down for the sake of many of his longstanding admirers who stand in awe of his often thunderous, exhausting and charming use of language, especially of the thesaurus. Still inspired and breathing scorn at the CAN president’s prophetic temerity, Rev Okotie concluded: “I told CAN and PFN that Jonathan did not belong to the House of David and that since he did not belong to the household, his winning would bring more sorrow to Nigeria.”

    Well, Dr Jonathan lost, sadly in a most humiliating fashion. Till today, he is still derided for both the manner of his loss and the general impression of his poor leadership. But as for Pastor Oritsejafor’s alleged prophetic fecundity, CAN communications officers insist prophecies were not his forte. He never prophesied before or during the elections, they said, and Rev Okotie was simply exaggerating. It is surprising CAN aides were kind to their traducer, who a few years back also forayed into the presidential race for reasons he has not fully explained. Had they questioned his ecclesiastical wisdom in contesting the presidency in 2011, and ridiculed him for lying he was God’s chosen one, and denounced his confident assertion that he would win when everything pointed to a looming electoral debacle, they would have been justified. As every Nigerian knows, it is not unusual in these parts for public officials to live in a glass house and throw stones.

    Whether Pastor Oritsejafor prophesied or not, what is clear in all this is that ecclesiastical leaders must learn to keep their distance from political leaders. By all means pray for them, counsel them, and even teach them; but do not at all costs meddle or wine with them. Pastor Oritsejafor took his fellow feeling and kindred spirit with Dr Jonathan beyond common spiritual decency. He has suffered great injuries as a result, and has found it difficult, as the Hassan Kukah National Peace Committee showed, to maintain a dispassionate and magisterial attitude towards the Buhari presidency. If his conscience, a product of the refining power of the Spirit, does not reprove him for his role in the 2015 polls, whether he prophesied or not, or whether Rev Okotie lied against him or not, that lack of amenableness to correction will shake the confidence of the flock he so grandly shepherds in their constant effort to deconstruct and assimilate the things of the spirit, let alone the deep and complex mysteries of the gospel.

     

  • Borno pastor : I didn’t beg Oritsejafor over N7bn bribe

    Borno pastor : I didn’t beg Oritsejafor over N7bn bribe

    Borno State-based Pastor Kallamu Mus-Dikwa yesterday accused the wife of Christian Association of Nigeria’s (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oristejafo, of lying against him that he came to beg her husband over the alleged N7 billion collected from President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the presidential election.

    Pastor Dikwa had accused CAN of collecting N7 billion from President Jonathan to purportedly campaign against the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the rescheduled elections.

    The cleric, in a telephone in Kaduna, said he had not “set his eyes on the CAN president for over a year now, let alone going to beg him as claimed by his wife”.

    He also denied meeting Pastor Oritsejafor’s wife, challenging her to tell the world where and how he met her husband to beg for forgiveness over what he said he had no regret over.

    The pastor urged the CAN leadership to “as a matter of urgency resign peaceful and sin no more and stop tarnishing the image of Nigerian Christians”.

    He called on “real men of God to come forward and dissolve the CAN leadership before it was too late”, if it refused to abide by his appeal.

    The cleric noted that he was not surprise at the antics of the wife of the CAN leader to blackmail him since other means to arm-twist him to meet the CAN president had failed.

    Dikwa added: “I have not seen Pastor Oritsejafor for the past one and half years. They are the ones that have been sending emissaries to me for settlement, but I have always refused to go.

    “The wife (Oritsejafor’s) is lying. I have never seen Ayo’s wife in my life. They have used the DSS (Directorate of State Service) to force me to write statements. They are lying against their spirits and their God.

    “Let them bring witness (proof) that I went to beg Ayo. Is it in Abuja or Warri?.

    “They have been sending men of God to me for settlement. The CAN’s North Central Zone Chairman, Yakubu Pam, even told me that I should go and meet Ayo and that he talked to him. But I refused.

    “Many of them (Christian leaders) have been calling me asking me to meet the CAN leader and settle. And I said what for? In fact, they said I should not talk again and that they know that all I have been saying is true.

    “Even they have called me, requesting that I denounced that they collected money and that they are going to give me money. But I refused.”

    Dikwa warned the president-elect, Gen Muhammad Buhari, to be wary of the CAN leadership.

  • Jega snubs Oritsejafor

    Jega snubs Oritsejafor

    CAN boss to electoral agency: Card Readers must function

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor has spoken of how  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega snubbed him.

    “Some people have told me that I am too small to meet with him (Jega),” Pastor Oritsejafor said.

    The CAN chief spoke at a one-day interactive session of key stakeholders in the Nigerian project, comprising religious, political organisations and security agencies, organised by Think Nigeria Christian-Muslim Movement, with the theme: “Towards a peaceful and purposeful political transition in 2015”.

    Pastor Oritsejafor said: “The General Secretary of CAN has the INEC Chairman’s number. He text him, saying the CAN President wants to meet with you on some days. The INEC chairman text back, saying those days were not good. So, Jega gave us two days to choose from and we chose one and he (Jega) accepted. I do not live in Abuja; I live in Warri, and so I had to make my plans to come here. All my plans were made and just as I was ready to come to Abuja, my General Secretary contacted me again that the INEC chairman (Jega) said he cannot meet with us, that he is too busy. When I asked him then what date did he give? He said no date was given.

    “Till today, I, the leaders of all Christians in Nigeria, don’t have access to the INEC Chairman. I could not meet this man to have a discussion with him. Some of the things bordering us we wanted to share with him. We want to give him some solutions, suggestions, but that was it. No new date for us to meet with him. So, this is a problem that is why I am saying this now publicly. This happened a little less than two months ago. That disturbed me. The little people are begging him to look at our suggestions and act on them.

    But Chief Press Secretary to Prof. Jega, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said he was unaware of any request by the CAN chief to see Jega which was turned down. “I’m not aware. I have a fair knowledge of the chairman’s scheduled,” Idowu said.

    Dr. Oritsejafor added: “INEC is a necessary organisation that every nation must have. I am concerned about two things. One is on the issue of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). I have had it said several times that there are many Nigerians who are refusing to collect their PVCs. I beg to disagree on this because I sample this and the church I pastor in Warri with about 35,000 people and I asked them to show me their PVCs and I was shocked. I tell you and I lie not, probably close to half of my congregation do not have their PVCs.

    “I sent my pastors, over 100 of them, out to meet them and find out why and I discovered that I felt insulted that anybody would say that they registered and do not want to go and take their PVC. Some of them said the truth is, many of those cards don’t belong to the people in that location. So the people in that location could not find their cards. And the owners of the cards are also searching for their cards elsewhere.

    “I think one of the things INEC can do is to publish the PVCs that they have quickly, so that Nigerians can easily locate them or pass information on it to each other, so that one can go there to collect it. I am not saying this will solve all the problems, but it will go a long way to solve the problem. We charge INEC to please make sure that  those Card Readers work. They should work, they must work, and they were bought with money.”

    Pastor Oritsejafor said for the election to be successful, Christian and Muslim leaders must sign a peace pact ensuring that Christians and Muslims are safe before, during and after the general elections.

    Besides, in his view, for a successful election, there must be confidence building. And one of the things that will build confidence is that Christians and Muslims must resolve that we will protect each other.

    “Christians who live in predominantly Muslim areas should not be afraid to remain there. Many are running away. They shouldn’t. After all, they are Nigerians. And our Muslim brothers must make a commitment to say Christians will not be killed in predominantly Muslims areas while Christians should also say Muslims who live in their area will not be killed.

    “We must make that commitment to each other. And we must make it publicly. Let the nation know that nobody is going to be victimized based on his or her religion. Everyone must and should be free to go out and vote freely, believing that who they are voting for will help them. That is what democracy is all about. Many of us here today are preachers; some are politicians and other aspects of life. But the most important ones are the preachers because if you are politicians you will either go to the church or the mosque.

    “The preachers here must also make a commitment to go to the churches and to the mosques to begin to preach that Christians are save everywhere and Muslims are save everywhere and we must begin to teach our people to believe in Nigeria. We must begin to emphasise to our people that we are all Nigerians.”

    He advised leaders of both religions: “We must begin to tell our leaders, our followers to begin to think Nigeria. Nobody is superior to the other.”

    The CAN leader also urged all to encourage the military for their fight against Boko Haram.

    The President General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Preachers in Nigeria (SCIPIN), Sheikh Muhammed Nourayn Bn-Ahmad, said the two major problems “currently threatening the corporate existence of the Nigerian nation are that of religious extremism/intolerance, as well as subterranean forces working to breakup Nigeria into those previous pieces and ethnicities that were amalgamated in the past 100 years.”

    A minute silent was observed for Boko Haram victims.

  • Polls: Jega ignored my request for a meeting – Oritsejafor

    Polls: Jega ignored my request for a meeting – Oritsejafor

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor Wednesday expressed bitterness over how the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega refused to hold a meeting with him.

    Oritsejafor, who said the botched meeting, would have held earlier this year, hinted at the probability of Jega ignoring his request based on what some of the close associates of the electoral umpire must have told him.

    “Some people have told me that I am too small to meet with him (Jega),” Oritsejafor said.

    He made this disclosure at a one-day interactive session of key stakeholders in the Nigerian project comprising religious, political organizations and security agencies organized by think Nigeria Christian-Muslim movement with the theme: ‘towards a peaceful and purposeful political transition in 2015.’

    Oritsejafor said: “The General Secretary of CAN has the INEC Chairman’s number. He sent him a text saying the CAN President wants to meet with you. The INEC chairman text back saying those days were not good so Jega gave us two days to chose from and we chose one and he (Jega) accepted. I do not live in Abuja, I live in Warri, and so I have to make my plans to come here. All my plans were made and just as I was ready to come to Abuja my General Secretary contacted me again that the INEC chairman (Jega) said he cannot meet with us that he is too busy.

    “Till today I don’t have access to the INEC Chairman. I could not meet this man. We wanted to discuss things bordering us with him. We want to give him some solutions, suggestions but that was it. No new date for us to meet with him. So this is a problem that is why I am saying this now publicly. This happened a little less than two months ago.

    “INEC is a necessary organization that every nation must have. I am concerned about two things. One is on the issue of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVC). I have had it said several times that there are many Nigerians who are refusing to collect their PVC. I beg to disagree on this because I sample this and the church I pastor in Warri with about 35 thousand people and I asked to show me there PVCs and I was shocked, I tell you probably close to half of my congregation do not have their PVC.

    “I sent my pastors over 100 of them out to meet them and find out why this is so.

    “I think one of the things INEC can do is to publish the PVCs that they have quickly, so that Nigerians can easily locate them or pass information on it to each other, so that one can go there to collect it. I am not saying this will solve all the problems but it will go a long way to solve the problem. We charge INEC to please make sure that everyone of those Card Readers work. They should work, they must work.”

    Oritsejafor said for the election to be successful Christian and Muslim leaders must sign a peace pact ensuring that Christians and Muslims are safe before, during and after the general elections.

    He said: “If we are going to have a successful election there must be confidence building. And one of the things that will build confidence is that Christians and Muslims must resolve that we will protect each other.

    “Let Christians who live in predominantly Muslim areas not be afraid to remain there. Many are running away. They shouldn’t. After all they are Nigerians. And our Muslim brothers must make a commitment to say Christians will not be killed in predominantly Muslims areas while Christians should also say Muslims who live in their area will not be killed.

    “We must make that commitment to each other. And we must make it publicly. Let the nation know that nobody is going to be victimized based on his or her religion. Everyone must and should be free to go out and vote freely believing that who they are voting for will help them. That is what democracy is all about. Many of us here today are preachers; some are politicians and others. But the most important ones are the preachers because if you are politicians you will either go to the church or the mosque.

    “The preachers here must also make a commitment to go to the churches and to the Mosques to begin to preach that Christians are save everywhere and Muslims are save everywhere and we must begin to teach our people to believe in Nigeria. We must begin to emphasize to our
    people that we are all Nigerians.”

    He advised leaders of both religions that: “We must begin to tell our leaders, our followers to begin to think Nigeria. Nobody is superior to the other.”

    The CAN leader also urged all to encourage the military for their fight against Boko Haram.

    The President General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Preachers in Nigeria (SCIPIN), Sheikh Muhammed Nourayn Bn-Ahmad said the two major problems: “currently threatening the corporate existence of the Nigerian nation are that of religious extremism/intolerance, as well
    as subterranean forces working to break-up Nigeria into those previous pieces and ethnicities that were amalgamated in the past 100 years.”

  • Oritsejafor, others urge Nigerians to emulate Martin Luther king

    Oritsejafor, others urge Nigerians to emulate Martin Luther king

    Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Monday, urged Nigerians to see Martin Luther King as a role model in fighting for a violence-free election.

    He made the call in an interview with newsmen at the Selma Movie Premiere that took place at The Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    The clergy said: “I am touched by what I have seen so far and I think it is a thing worth watching.

    “When you hear of Martin Luther King Jnr., you are not hearing of an angel but a human being. A human being who could see and feel what others felt, and decided to do something about it.

    “So if you want peace then you must be prepared to speak and say the truth at all times even when it is bitter.”

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the March 28 and April 11 general elections so as not to be disenfranchised.

    The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Oshita Oshita, also called for violence-free election and to draw lessons from the premiered movie – Selma.

    He describe the movie as a story based on the philosophy of non-violence epitomised in the actions of the legendary Martin Luther king Junior.

    His words: “Luther King was a great man that continued to impact our world through the social movement he inspired and led.

    “The moral of Selma movie is not just in the historic match from Selma to Montgomeri but the non-violent nature of the match that made it a thing of international significance and respect despite brutalisation by law enforcement agents.

    “The movie projects the fact that positive transformation could be achieved through non-violence.

    “So this lesson is that Nigeria in 2015 general elections can achieve sustainable development through peaceful and non-violent democratic elections.”

    Similarly, Professor Jerry Gana, a scholar and former Minister of Information, in his brief speech urged Nigerians to collectively say no to violence.

    He also quoted a verse in the Bible Galatians 5:22 – ‘the fruit of the spirit is love and joy and peace and patience and goodness and gentleness and self control’, and wished Nigerians would imbibe the teachings  thereof.

  • Oritsejafor to politicians: don’t cause trouble

    Oritsejafor to politicians: don’t cause trouble

    As the nation prepares for the February elections, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has urged politicians to shun any act capable of causing violence in the country.

    Oritsejafor expressed strong worry over the spate of Boko Haram attacks in the country, calling on leaders at all levels to engage in meaningful dialogue in order to stop the senseless killings.

    He made the call yesterday at the retreat of the National Christian Elders’ Forum in Abuja, saying “enough is enough”.

    The CAN boss stated that if truly the intention of politicians is to serve the people, they should eschew activities capable of causing harm.

    While urging them to play by the rules, he noted that election would come and go, but Nigeria will continue to exist.

    He said: ”I am puzzled by the conduct of some politicians in the country. Is politics not supposed to be service to the people? If you get into any political position, you should be there to serve the people.

     “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our politicians again that it is not a do-or-die affair.

    “Let us remember that elections will come and go and Nigeria will remain. So, let us play the game according to the rules. I appeal to your conscience. I watch television; I see how a lot of people are being maimed and killed. Let us do what is right so that Nigeria will remain Nigeria.”

    Reacting to the alleged political intolerance in the North, Oritsejafor maintained that it was wrong for anyone to prevent the other from identifying with any candidate of his choice.

    “It is a very terrible thing. From the reports we get, especially from the North, there are people who are afraid to go around, identifying with candidates of their choice because of the fear of victimization.

    “I think this is wrong. If this is democracy, everyone should be allowed to vote for any candidate of his choice. They should be allowed to do what they think is right,” he said.

    Also speaking, the  Chairman of the forum, Mr. Solomon Asemota, said the meeting was called to enable Christian elders brainstorm on the various challenges confronting the nation with a view to coming up with far-reaching recommendations.

    According to him, a communiqué from the meeting will be sent to the Federal Government.

  • Oritsejafor to politicians: Don’t cause trouble, play by rules

    Oritsejafor to politicians: Don’t cause trouble, play by rules

    As Nigeria prepares for the general election, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has urged politicians to shun any act capable of causing violence in the country.

    Oritsejafor expressed strong worry over the increasing Boko Haram attack in the country, calling on leaders at all levels to engage in meaningful intra-and-inter dialogue in order to nip the senseless killings in the bud.

    The CAN president, who spoke at a retreat organized by the National Christian Elders Forum in Abuja, said to politicians that “enough is enough.”

    He said if truly the intention of politicians is to serve the people, they should eschew activities capable of causing harm to Nigerians.

    While urging them to play by the rules, the CAN president noted that election would come and go, but Nigeria will continue to exist.

    He said,” I am puzzled about the conducts of some politicians in the country. Is politics not supposed to be service to the people? If you get into any political position, you should be there to serve the people.

    “Therefore, if the essence is for you to serve, who you are going to serve when the people you wants to serve die in the process of election. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our politicians again that election is not a do or die affair.

    “Let us remember that election will come and go and Nigeria will remain. So let us play the game according the rules. I appeal to your conscience, to your heart. I watch television and I see how a lot of people are being maimed, killed. Let us do what is right so that Nigeria will remain one.”

    Reacting to the alleged political intolerant in the North, Oritsejafor maintained that it was wrong for anyone to prevent the other from identifying with any candidate of his choice.

     

  • Oritsejafor fetes less privileged

    Oritsejafor fetes less privileged

    •Distributes cars, grinding machines, others

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Presiding Pastor of the Word of Life Bible Church Warri, Delta State, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has been described as a true Christian leader who practices what he preaches.

    Imam Mohammed Saidu from Maiduguri, Borno State stated this at the annual poverty alleviation programme of the Eagle Flight Micro Finance Bank, a brainchild of the Word of Life Bible Church where items such as seven brand new Hyundai Grand cars meant for taxis, 20 tricycles, 100 grinding machines and several other consolation gifts were given out to people.

    He described the gesture by the church as a practical expression of love.

    He said the CAN president has always been a man of the people and a bridge builder between the christians and the muslims.

    Oritsejafor, who also inaugurated the new headquarters of the bank at the programme, said he was quite excited and very fulfilled because the true essence of christianity is to love.

    According to him, the Eagle Flight Micro Finance bank was set up about nine years ago to provide banking services to the less priviledge in the society and offer soft loans to indigent members of the society.

    He said it is part of the church’s effort at reaching out to the downtroden in the society who cannot afford the huge interest charged by commercial banks.

    Also, he said the gifts are given out annually to assist the people in their businesses.

    One of the guests at the event, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin, managing director of the Federal Housing Authority,  described Pastor Oritsejafor as a true christian who practices what he preaches.

    “It is a practical manifestation of the religion. Many pastors across the country have been preaching but Pastor Oritsejafor really has been wolking the preaching,” Amin stated.

    He, however, enjoined the CAN boss not to restrict the gestures to Warri alone but to extend it to all parts of the country because it is all about love.

    Two of the beneficiaries of the cars, 24-year-old Augustine Chinaso and 20-year-old Dazide Boy, said they were overwhelmed with the unexpected cars given out to them.

    Chinaso  thanked the Church for its magnimity, adding that he would forever be grateful to the church for lifting him out of poverty as the taxi would be a source income for his sustainance and finance his education.

    According the Chairman of the Bank, Rev. (Mrs.) Helen Oritsajafor, the poverty alleviation programme aligns with  Oritsejafor’s desire to minister not just to the spiritual need of man but also to the physical and economical needs of human existence.

    Furthermore, she  said the bank turnover has risen to well over N25bn with a staff strength of over 300.

    The bank, she added, has empowered and registered about 3.5m micro credit groups with a cash value of about N2.5bn.

    Mrs. Oritsejafor explained that loans have been granted to Small Medium Scale Enterprises to the tune of N10bn and corporate bodies with a cash value of N15bn.

    “To further encourage entrepreneurial development and inculcate the culture of savings, the bank has approved the opening of accounts with a minimum balance of just N500 for savings, N1,500 for current accounts and N2, 500 for corporate accounts.”