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Tag: Samson Ayokunle

  • CAN President to Fed Govt, security agencies: rescue Leah Sharibu, others now 

    Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) President Samson Ayokunle yesterday called on the Federal Government and all security agencies to ensure freedom for Leah Sharibu and others held in captive by Boko Haram terrorists before it is too late.

    Rev. Ayokunle also urged religious and political leaders to join hands with civil society organisations and international agencies to stop untimely deaths, which, according to him, has given Nigeria a bad name worldwide.

    Many nations, the cleric said, have seen NIgeria as a barbaric nation where no value is attached to human life.

    Speaking at the flag off of ‘Ecumenism for Development and Peace Initiative’(EDAPI), a non-governmental organisation with the slogan “#…TOO YOUNG TO DIE’ at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Rev. Ayokunle regretted that many Nigerians die untimely due to unchecked, murderous activities of gunmen and herdsmen.

    He said the development has caused sorrow in many communities, especially in the north.

    Said the CAN chief: “It is regrettable that many Nigerians are living in poverty and are not able to fulfil their dreams because of low income or lack of employment at all. Substantial welfare policy as well is not forthcoming from the government.

    “A very sad case is that of Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls that are still in captivity for months and years now either because of their faith or religious malady of some crazy Islamic fundamentalists. I call on the Federal Government and the security agencies to put their acts together and release all the captives before it is too late. These people are too young to die. It is the  constitutional responsibility of government to protect lives and property of the governed.”

    Rev. Ayokunle went on:  ”EDAPI (a non-governmental organisation) observes the happenings in our society and it is out to speak for all those in captivity and communities that are under constant attacks, especially in the North, where lives are being lost daily, for decades with impunity.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 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

  • CAN President mourns Billy Graham

    CAN President mourns Billy Graham

    Rev. Samson Ayokunle, President, Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) has described Evangelist Billy Graham as the most humble and influential religious leaders well known in the world.

    Ayokunle made the remark in an interview in Abuja, while reacting to the death of the renowned evangelist.

    The president noted that Graham’s departure, no doubt had left a big vacuum in the church at large, adding that he came, saw and conquered for the kingdom of God.

    He said that the deceased was too humble that he prayed for so many people around the globe and gave hope to generations.

    “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to the family of the foremost Evangelist of the century, Billy Graham, on his transition to glory.

    “We give God the glory for a life well spent. He has fought the good fight, has finished the race and has kept the faith,’’ Ayokunle said.

    Graham was a Christian and a pastor in North Carolina. He took his evangelism crusades around the country and globe.

    He wrote so many books and preached to an estimated 215 million people in 185 countries.

    Graham who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s like symptoms, died at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, at the age of 99.

    NAN

  • Stop playing politics with Buhari’s health – CAN

    Stop playing politics with Buhari’s health – CAN

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Samson Ayokunle, said on Wednesday Nigerians should stop playing politics with the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ayokunle, who spoke in Lokoja, Kogi, said Nigerians should leave out sentiments and pray more for the quick recovery of Buhari who is currently  on medical vacation in London.

    “Let us continue to pray for the President. We don’t play with the life of a human being, and nobody wants to fall sick. So don’t let us continue to make politics out of sickness. Let us continue to pray for him,” the CAN president said.

    Ayokunle, who visited the Kogi State chapter of CAN, also cautioned those calling for the resignation of Buhari to be guided by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    “The position of CAN is that, we should follow the constitution, we have the constitution to guide us. So whatever the constitution says let us follow it, we drew it ourselves so let us not break it,” he added.

    The CAN president also spoke on the ongoing strike by university lecturers, urging them to dialogue with the Federal Government to quickly resolve the dispute.

    “I think this issue has been on ground for too long, let there be a parley between ASUU and government.

    “We are playing with the future of the younger generation. So let us show them love, don’t let us allow our children to grow up hating us, hating the nation.

    “Strike today strike tomorrow; I beg both parties to exercise patience, understanding and maturity.

    “We know that the economy is going upside down, we believe that as we are praying for those managing the economy they will come out strong and be able to proffer solutions,” Ayokunle stated.

    NAN

     

  • Presidency commends CAN’s message to Buhari

    Presidency commends CAN’s message to Buhari

    Presidency has described as “touching and thoughtful,” a message received from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressing joy at the news of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recovery from illness.

    In a statement in Abuja on Monday, Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, confirmed that the President received the goodwill message from CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle.

    “The CAN President referred to the news of President Buhari’s recovery from sickness as a ‘rejuvenation of hope’, and congratulated Nigerians on the joy of having their President back soon,” he said.

    Shehu added that such messages of goodwill from respected religious bodies like CAN meant so much at a time when people with ill intentions were struggling to divide the country along religious lines.

    He also thanked the CAN for its continued prayers for the President’s health.

    “The Presidency looks forward to further collaborations with CAN to ensure that Nigerians of all ethnic and religious groups benefit from the policies of the President Buhari administration which are aimed at improving the welfare of every single citizen of our great country,” he said.

  • Saraki urges all to be calm over new school curriculum

    Saraki urges all to be calm over new school curriculum

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has urged all stakeholders in  education to remain calm on the new nine-year Basic Education Curriculum to enable the National Assembly to look into various issues involved.

    Saraki made the call while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He assured the delegation that the Senate Committee on Basic Education would investigate the complaints by the association on the curriculum with a view to making it acceptable and satisfactory to all religions.

    Explaining the background to the introduction of the policy, Saraki said the process began in 2010 when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan came up with a series of reforms.

    “This is with a view to reduce the number of subjects in school curriculum.

    “As leaders, we must continue to seek and find solutions to problems.

    ‘’You will remember that in 2010, the past administration came up with reforms on how to reduce the number of subjects at the basic education level.

    “There were about 20 subjects at that time, and subsequently they were reduced to 12.

    “In the process of implementing those reforms, we have this problem. Why I am saying this is so we don’t leave here and believe that it was done to favour one religion over the other.

    “Now the reform is clearly not working. So our responsibility is to look into that reform and make it work.

    “I am sure that there was no intention to make one group feel disadvantaged with this new school curriculum.

    ‘’This is why this Senate will direct our Committee on Education to look at the reform and find out why it is not working with the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Charles Adisa, called for the intervention of the National Assembly to ensure genuine respect for Nigeria’s Constitution.

    Adisa, who represented, the CAN National President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said: “We also call for the abolition of obnoxious laws that infringe on freedom of worship.”

    He said CAN wanted Islamic Religious Knowledge  and Christian Religious Knowledge to be offered separately, while Social Studies and Civic Education should be merged.

    Adisa also said the federal and state ministries of education should employ more teachers for religious subjects.

    “This will allow students to opt for religious studies of their choice in all public schools in Nigeria,” he added.

    Adisa noted that the Constitution was supreme over any other consideration.

    He stressed that Chapter 1 of the Constitution states the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, including freedom of religion.

  • CAN urges Kaduna govt. to reopen tertiary institutions

    Rev. Samson Ayokunle, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has urged the Kaduna State Government to re-open tertiary institutions closed down because of the violence in southern Kaduna.

    Ayokunle made the call on Thursday in Kafanchan, when he visited Southern Kaduna to donate relief materials, worth N8 million, to victims of the lingering violence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the three tertiary institutions in the area – the Kafanchan campus of the Kaduna State University, the College of Education, Gidan-Way, and College of Nursing, Kafanchan were shut down last year.

    The institutions had since remained closed, while the 2016/2017 session is already coming to an end in institutions located in other parts of the states.

    But Ayokunle, who expressed surprise that the schools were still closed down, advised government to open them and ensure adequate protection for the students.

    The CAN President called for urgent measures to end the violence, saying that Nigeria would not have peace until people of southern Kaduna and other crisis-ridden parts in the country had peace and justice.

    “I appeal to the Kaduna State Government to re-open the institutions. What the government can do is to ensure more security so that students are protected.

    “Nigeria will not have peace until people of southern Kaduna, and other areas invaded by herdsmen in the country, had their peace,” he said.

    He said that the visit was to share in the grief of the victims of the violence.

    “We came here to show our deep concern over your predicament; we know what you people are passing through. We may not have much to give you physically, but you are not alone in this situation.

    “I appeal to the government to ensure an end to the attacks by herdsmen on Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country. Government must act swiftly,” he said.

    Ayokunle also urged government to repair Churches and houses that were burnt down during the crisis, while also ensuring that the culprits were brought to book.

    He also urged government to disarm the herdsmen accused of killing natives, and prosecute those found to be involved in the killings.

    The CAN President praised the security agencies for the efforts to end the violence, but challenged them to understand that they would be held responsible if the violence persisted.

    He also advised the security men against restricting their activities to roadblocks along the highways, while the hinterlands were being attacked.

    Ayokunle said that security men must be sincerely committed to ending the violence, and cautioned them against  looking the other way when evil was going on.

    Earlier, the CAN Secretary, Kaduna State, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, had described the visit as a morale booster, and described it as “very great significance to the Southern Kaduna people”.

    Ibrahim urged government to ensure security to farmers to enable return to the farms so as to feed the people.

    He urged the victims to remain hopeful, and cautioned against reprisal attacks.

    “The Bible is clear here. Vengeance is the Lord’s. He is all knowing and shall intervene at the right time,” Ibrahim said.

  • CAN suspends Christian Day of mourning

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said on Wednesday that it has suspended the Christian Day of Mourning based on credible reports of concern.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Rev. Musa Asake, General Secretary, CAN, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, according to the statement, said the day was formerly scheduled to take place globally on March 19, 2017.

    Ayokunle states that the suspension of the programme was due to misunderstanding, misinterpretation and subsequent security concerns.

    He took cognizance of the preparations that various Christian groups have made to participate in the programme.

    Ayokunle explained that the programme was designed in all honesty and sincerity, to mourn the death of thousands of Christians murdered by religious insurgents.

    “All Nigerian Christian assemblies are urged to have a normal Sunday Worship on March 19, 2017, but suspend any action on the Day of Mourning.

    “Christians should be careful and watchful. Further communication shall be issued by CAN in due course.

    “In the meantime, we are all urged to remain steadfast and resolute in the Grace of God that Nigeria shall overcome the present distress and peace shall prevail all over the nation, ‘’he said.

     

  • Why Southern Kaduna crisis may not end, says CAN

    Why Southern Kaduna crisis may not end, says CAN

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the failure of the security agencies to arrest and bring to book those responsible for the killings in the Southern Kaduna is the reason why the crisis remains endless.

     CAN advised them to wake up to their responsibilities.

     Despite the curfew and the presence of the Police and other security agencies in the volatile zone, CAN said the killings remain unabated.

     It called on its members to continue praying for the permanent restoration of peace in the area.

     Speaking at the just concluded meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Christian umbrella body held in Abuja, the CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, expressed disappointment in what he described as unending killings and the treatment of those responsible with kid gloves.

     His words: “All of us should organize prayers again and if possible with fasting to seek the intervention of God so that this senseless destruction of human beings might stop. I think what has encouraged this type of carnage in Southern Kaduna is the inability of the law enforcement agents to apprehend the criminals responsible for these killings and if they were apprehended at all, they were not conclusively prosecuted.

     “We have had these days more often than not, the law enforcement agents saying that the criminals are ‘unknown gun men.’ Whose duty is it to know them? It is not the law enforcement agents?”

     Ayokunle disclosed the plan being made by the National Secretariat of CAN to provide relief materials for the victims of the carnage in both Southern Kaduna and the Agatu community in Benue State.

     According to the statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to the CAN President, Bayo Oladeji, the CAN boss said: “We are planning to visit Southern Kaduna to distribute relief materials to the victims of the massacre there. We planned to do this earlier and chose date but we couldn’t go because we received security report that it was not safe to do so. We would equally visit the Agatu community in Benue State to distribute relief materials.”

     The CAN President also charged its members not to cease praying for President Muhammadu Buhari, the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and a quick recovery of the economy from the recession to relief the populace who are under its consequences.

     Ayokunle said: “I urge all of us to be praying for the President of our country, President Muhammadu Buhari who is sick and is out of the country for treatment; we had twice released our pleas for prayers for him. It is our spiritual and legitimate duty as people of God. We should also pray for the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo that God might guide him aright this time when he acts for his principal.

     “We should organize prayers, if possible vigil at every state secretariat of CAN to pray for our country at a chosen date and that the FCT CAN should come to the national secretariat for their own. In each centre, the governor of the state or his representative should be invited to such prayer meeting”.

  • Don’t abandon Buhari, CAN tells Christians

    Don’t abandon Buhari, CAN tells Christians

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has once again asked Christians to continue praying for President Muhammadu Buhari until he returns to the country hale and hearty.
    This is contained in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant Media and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, on Tuesday in Abuja said the results of President’s medical tests suggested further rest.
    The CAN President, Rev Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, urged Nigerians especially Christians not to cease praying for the President, the acting President and the country until he returns in good health and sound mind.
    Ayokunle, reminded Christians that it is their responsibility to pray for the country and her leaders in season and out of season.
    “I call on all well meaning Nigerians, especially Christians not to cease praying for President Muhammadu Buhari as he takes further rest as advised by his doctors.
    “It is needless reminding you that as Christians, our responsibilities include but not limited to making supplications, prayers, and intercessions, for all that are in the position of authority.
    `That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour…’” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)>

    He also allayed fears being expressed in some quarters that the prolonged absence of Buhari has created a vacuum in the Presidency cited the transfer of power to the Vice President.

    “We don’t see the need for any hue and cry being made by some people that his unprecedented absence could create a vacuum in the Presidency.

    “President Buhari has done what is needful by transferring power to the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who is up to the task.

    “The Church should also continue praying for him for divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding as he discharges his constitutional responsibilities.”

    Ayokunle called on the security agencies to rise up to the security challenges in the Southern Kaduna by flushing out the hoodlums who are still killing innocent people.

    “We call on the security agencies in the country to stop the killings in Kafanchan despite the presence of policemen and soldiers in the area.

    “We heard of recent attacks in Atakar and Kaninkon villages of Kaura and Jema’a Local Government Areas in the state.

    “All hands should be on deck to flush out those criminals from their hideouts in order to restore a permanent peace to the Southern Kaduna communities once and for all,’’ Ayokunle said. (NAN)