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Tag: CAN

  • CAN advocates for effective legislation to end herdsmen attacks

    CAN advocates for effective legislation to end herdsmen attacks

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for effective legislation to end the menace of attacks by suspected armed herdsmen.

    The CAN National President, Rev. Sampson Oyakunle, made the call during a courtesy visit to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

    Oyakunle said that indiscriminate livestock grazing needed to be put checked and replaced with a more acceptable practice.

    “I advise that you follow the step of your brother governor in Benue by passing a bill that will forestall further occurrence of this attack.

    “Nobody should, under whatever guise, destroy the lives of others and in order to safeguard the people, effective legislation should be put in place.

    “This does not come out of hatred but of the need to do things in order and in respect for human life,” Oyakunle said.

    Responding, Ugwuanyi commended CAN leadership for identifying with victims of the attacks.

    He urged the association and the Church in general, to continue with their good works, underscoring the importance of prayers for good governance to be enthroned in the country.

    The CAN President had earlier led a delegation to donate relief materials to victims of suspected herdsmen attack in the state.

    TheNewsGuru reports that beneficiaries included the 13 widows whose husbands were killed in April 2016 at Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

    Others were the leadership of Christ Holy Church of Nigeria and Catholic Church in Nimbo as well as the victims in Attakwu, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

    Sampson, while presenting the items, said that CAN was worried by the spate of attacks linked to suspected herdsmen in parts of the country.

    He said that while the church was praying for the country and victims of the attacks, it was necessary for it to complement prayers with good works as exemplified in the gift items.

    He said that the Christian body had made similar donations in Kaduna and Benue states.

    The president urged Nigerians to live in peace and respect the sanctity of human life.

    He further advised the victims not to take laws into their hands but to trust in the unfailing love of God, adding that they would not be put to shame.

    He said that the church would continue to pray for God’s intervention in the face of obvious challenges confronting the country.

    Mrs Cordelia Ugwuogbu, a widow, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, thanked the leadership of CAN for their kindness.

    Ugwuogbu said that though things had been difficult since they lost their husbands, they were consoled by the kind gesture extended to them.

    TNG reports that the beneficiaries received bags of rice and beans and a cheque each of an undisclosed amount.

    It would be recalled that suspected herdsmen invaded Nimbo in April 2016, killing 13 people and injuring many others.

    Similar attack was carried out in Attakwu Akegbe few months later were two persons including a seminarian was killed.

     

  • Anointing Service Drama: CAN backs Ambode on chaplain’s removal

    The Lagos State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Tuesday said the Governing Council of Christ the Light Chapel, Alausa acted within its constitutionally authority to relieve the chaplain of the chapel, Venerable Femi Taiwo of his position.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Venerable Taiwo was on May 15 sacked and evicted from his quarters following his alleged refusal to ‘recognise’ the first lady, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode who was in service for the anointing.

    However, speaking with newsmen on the stand of CAN, the chairman, Lagos chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola said the issue should be regarded as that of an employer and employee relationship.

    “As a result of the unfortunate misunderstanding of the public which has been fanned by erroneous publications in the print media and social media generally, we believe that CAN Lagos State, must make clarification and educate the public correctly on this matter having looked into the matter objectively,” Bamgbola said.

    He said that the State Government created a standing legal constitution for The Chapel of Christ The Light, which has guided the running of it over the years.

    “By this Constitution, the chapel is run by a Governing Council which reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Governing Council has the Constitutional responsibility and authority to recruit and terminate the two officers who run the Chapel of Light i.e the Presiding Chaplain and the Chaplain.

    “With this clarification, it should be known by the generality of the public that these two officers who run the Chapel are strictly employees of the State Government. They are subject to terms and conditions of employment of the the State Government.

    “Having investigated this matter carefully and objectively, CAN, Lagos State, wish to state today that the Governing Council that recruited Venerable Taiwo acted within its constitutional authority to terminate Venerable Femi Taiwo,” he said.

    Bamgbola said it was unfortunate that Mrs Bolanle Ambode, wife of the state governor was being accused in the media of being instrumental to the termination of the Presiding Chaplain because of one anointing service.

    “We wish to state clearly here today, that this is far from the truth. Deaconess (Mrs) Bolanle Ambode is a true Woman of God, who fears God and lives a godly life and whom it has pleased God to raise to be First Lady in Lagos State at this time.

    “This error of judgment is most unfortunate and unfair to Her Excellency, the entire Lagos Government and the Church in Lagos at large,” he said.

    Bamgbola urged the media to be objective in their reportage and desist from publishing and circulating erroneous publications.

    “With this press conference, we ask that this matter be closed and be left to The Church in Lagos State to handle,” he said.

     

     

    NAN

  • Soonest, Nigeria shall be great again – CAN

    Despite the enormous challenges facing the country in virtually every sphere, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive as the country is on its way to greatness.

    This was revealed by the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola on Sunday.

    Bamgbola spoke at the closing ceremony of the annual Greater Grace Conference of the Olivet Bible Church with the theme `Boundless’, at its headquarters in Festac Town, Lagos.

    He said that the current challenges Nigeria was facing would soon be over because God is interested in the country.

    “God will restore the lost glory and virtues of the country. This nation shall rise again; not too long, but very soon.

    “We must pray more, and we will have victory; it shall be recorded in the comity of nations that Nigeria has risen,’’ he said.

    The Senior Pastor of the Church, Pastor Owen Nlekwuwa, spoke in similar vein, saying the glory and dignity of Nigeria would soon be restored.

    “The dignity and honour that God has created this nation for will soon rise again and all its challenges shall be surmounted.

    “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He that gives you power to get wealth.

    “God is concerned about the well-being of the people of this nation; it is His will that we enjoy supernatural abundance,’’ he said.

    The cleric urged Nigerians to always pray for their leaders, with a view to building a great nation devoid of corruption and lawlessness.

    “No one has the sole capacity and ability to solve all the problems of this country; it is our collective and civic responsibility to work for the growth of our nation,’’ he said.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Southern Kaduna: Resolve crisis now or be ready for war – CAN warns FG

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to either resolve the lingering Southern Kaduna crisis with immediate effect or be prepared for war.

    This was revealed by the President of the Christian body, Reverend Olasupo Ayokunle.

    He stressed that it is only when the suspects are made to face the wrath of the law that tension that had risen in the two states would reduce.

    Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), warned that failure to stop the unprovoked killings by suspected herdsmen in some parts of the country could spark war in the country.

    He stressed that government must rise p to protect innocent Nigerians through effective security surveillance particularly at the nation’s borders to prevent illegal immigrants from gaining entry.

    The cleric spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital at a special service held at First Baptist Church (Miracle Cathedral). The Centenary Estate built by the Ekiti Conference of NBC which is located in Oke Ila area of the town was also commissioned during Ayokunle’s pastoral visit by the Ewi, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe.

    A book titled: “The History of First Baptist Church, Ado Ekiti” was also launched at the event. It was written by the church’s Historical Committe and was reviewed by the Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Prof. Matthew Ojo.

    Ayokunle urged members of the church and Christians in general to be more committed to evangelism and preaching of the gospel saying, “We wouldn’t have had Boko Haram if we had evangelized well.”

    In a sermon entitled: “Moving Forward, Exhibiting the Features of a Prevailing Church”, Ayokunle said the church has a duty to pray for Nigeria to overcome all its social, economic and political problems.

    “There is need to pray more for Nigeria because it is only prayer that can save us. Let us continue to pray for the leadership of this country. But I want to urge the government to check the menace of the herdsmen in some parts of the country.

    “We are calling on the Federal Government to prosecute the hersdmen arrested in connection with the recent killings in Benue and Southern Kaduna because this will ease tension in the two states.

    “We also want the Federal Government to investigate through intelligence gathering those unpatriotic Nigerians supplying the hersdmen with weapons being used to perpetrate evil.

    “If the government fails to stop the provocation of the Fulani (herdsmen), they should be prepared for war. No ethnic group has monopoly of violence and no ethnic group should be a monster to others.”

  • Nigeria becoming unsafe daily, CAN tells Buhari

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has said the country is now gradually turning to an open space for perpetrators of evil to carry out their dastardly acts without questioning by relevant security agencies.

    It further noted that Nigerians are going through severe pains as a result of hunger, poverty and insecurity of lives and property in the country.

    The religious body said this in a goodwill message delivered by the CAN National Secretary, Rev. Dr Musa Asake, at the ongoing 104th annual session of the Nigerian Baptist Convention holding in Abuja.

    CAN acknowledged that it believed that this year’s theme for the Baptist Convention, “Moving Forward: Overcoming the Challenges of Life through Jesus Christ”, was “the best suited for this troubled times.”

    In his words: “You will all agree with me that our country Nigeria is today experiencing excruciating pains as we witness religious and ethnic cleansing through the criminal activities of the murderous Fulani herdsmen who are killing story on daily basis.

    “Nigeria has become unsafe because our security agencies are not living up to the billings. In Nigeria today, nowhere is safe, both the rich and the poor are crying because of the evil in the land occasioned by the criminal activities of the terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbery, ritual killings, unemployment and corruption in high places.”

    CAN applauded the leadership qualities of its President, Samson Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC).

    “We in CAN are very grateful to the Nigerian Baptist Convention for giving u your very best who now serves as the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria. Am talking of no other person than Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.

    “In times like this, we need a vocal and courageous leader to speak and stand in the gap for the Nigerian church. Let me boldly tell you that the man you give us as the number one Christian is this country is a leader who speaks his mind on all issues irrespective of whose ox is gored,” Asake said.

  • We are behind Suleman but won’t accompany him to DSS’ office – CAN

    Following the formal invitation of the firebrand pastor and founder of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman by the Department of State Services, DSS over alleged inciting comments, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has said it is solidly behind the clergyman but won’t accompany him.

    ThisNewsGuru.com reports that the media aide to CAN President, Bayo Oladeji, made the disclosure while reacting to rumours that the body was sending an entourage to accompany Suleman to DSS office today.

    Oladeji said though the body is solidly behind the fiery preacher, there is no plan to send an entourage with Suleman.

    According to Oladeji, “I spoke with him (Mr. Suleman) this morning. CAN is solidly behind him. He was invited to the office of the SSS; let him go. We are behind him, but as for whether or not we are going to the SSS office with him, my answer to that is no. He was invited alone. But we are solidly behind him.”

    ThisNewsGuru.com recall that the fiery pastor was invited by the DSS on Saturday over alleged ‘inciting’ comments.

     

  • Buhari not willing to dialogue with us to end religious crisis – CAN

    Buhari not willing to dialogue with us to end religious crisis – CAN

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Sunday accused the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration of willing to dialogue to proffer solutions to some of the religious crisis happening in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the group faulted the belief in some quarters that it has not been pragmatic enough in responding to issues that concerned Christians in the country.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the President of the Youth Wing of CAN, Daniel Kadzai, said while the association had been standing up for the defence of Christianity, “the government’s disposition to some of the issues affecting Christians are not encouraging.”

    According to him, the leadership of CAN “has been denied audience with the President to brainstorm on how best to solve some challenges in the country.”

    Kadzai stated, “The Ayokunle-led leadership is poised to ensure that all Christians worship without fear or intimidation throughout the country. The man (Ayokunle) just took over the mantle of leadership and he met crisis on the ground. He is up and doing to stabilise the system to be able to address the common problems we are facing as a body.

    “He has made several attempts to see the President of this country to table some challenges that have been bedevilling the nation and the challenges facing the Christendom. Unfortunately, the Federal Government of Nigeria is not willing to see the CAN President because of one reason or the others.

    “CAN is not in contention with anybody. CAN is focusing on ensuring the liberty and freedom for its members to worship across the country. If CAN is coming out in the media to take a position on an issue, we are not addressing the media to incite our members, but only addressing the media to voice out the challenges facing our members throughout the country,” Kadzai stated.

     

  • CAN advocates introduction of Christian religious studies in Yobe schools

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Yobe has appealed to the state government to introduce Christian religious studies in public schools.

    The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Jibrin Joshua, made the call when he briefed newsmen in Damaturu on Sunday.

    According to him, despite the constitutional provision for freedom of worship, the teaching of Christian religious knowledge is prohibited in Yobe and some Northern states.

    Jibrin urged government “to revisit the policy and give our children the privilege of Christian religious education.”

    The cleric called on government to return Christian missionary schools to their owners with full financial grant for their rehabilitation.

    He described the introduction of preaching licence in some states as unnecessary.

    The CAN chairman also implore the government to address the non-issuance of certificate of occupancy for building of churches and broadcast of christian religious activities on state-owned media

    Jibrin described the killings and destruction of property in Southern Kaduna as unacceptable and condemnable, and called for compensation to victims who lost their property in the conflict.

  • IG disagrees with CAN on number of casualties in southern Kaduna killings

    IG disagrees with CAN on number of casualties in southern Kaduna killings

    The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has disagreed with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on the number of people killed in the Southern Kaduna crises.

    The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan had alleged that the unrest in Southern Kaduna had claimed over 808 lives, in 53 villages in the area.

    But Idris disputed the claim in Abuja on Sunday at the New Year dinner organised by the Nigeria Police Force for its personnel.

    He stressed the need for religious, community and political leaders to be patriotic in their endeavors for peace to reign in the country.

    The IG cautioned Nigerians to avoid unnecessary tension which could lead to destruction of lives and property.

    He said that Nigerians had no other country than Nigeria, hence the need to do those things that would bring peace and unity to the country.

    Idris advised Nigerians to live in peace with one another in spite of religious and ethnic differences.

    He commended officers and men of the force for their commitment to providing security to all Nigerians across the country.

    Idris restated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to providing adequate security without bias to any section of the country.

  • God will restore Nigeria’s prosperity – CAN

    The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has expressed confidence that God would restore Nigeria’s prosperity in due course.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Head Media of CAN’s president, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

    “He will restore prosperity to our land and make the coming year a year of abundance.

    “We thank God for the joy and hope the season has brought to all of us,’’ the statement quoted the CAN leader as saying.

    He called on Christians and Nigerians to pick up courage and move on with their lives in spite of the prevailing socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

    “Though Joseph was disappointed when he saw Mary pregnant thinking it was an outcome of her unfaithful sexual intercourse, he decided not to allow that to determine his future.

    “He made up his mind to put her away privately and move on with his life; that was courage.’’

    Ayokunle prayed that God would intervene in the challenges being faced by Nigerians like He did through a dream in the case of Joseph and Mary.

    He noted that God restored their relationship with a baby.

    Ayokunle congratulated all Christians for the Yuletide festivities that commemorated the birth of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and wished them a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year ahead.