On 18 October, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) celebrated its 50th anniversary at the National Christian Centre in Abuja, where Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the organisation’s president, urged the Church to step beyond prayer and take a more active role in confronting insecurity, corruption and poor governance.
Speaking to a gathering that also honoured First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and four former national leaders, Okoh called on Christians to defend vulnerable citizens and hold political leaders accountable, stressing that the Church must not become hostile to the government but must “speak” when injustice is evident. He warned that silence in the face of suffering would erode the Church’s moral authority.
Okoh identified several groups that require sustained attention, including internally displaced persons, out‑of‑school children, unemployed youths, rural farmers denied access to their farmlands because of insecurity, women facing violence, victims of human trafficking, communities affected by environmental degradation and citizens lacking legal representation. He said the Christian faith must be expressed through compassion, public service and advocacy for those confronting poverty, insecurity and exclusion.
He described a model of “critical collaboration” with the government, where the Church would collaborate when the common good demands it, challenge when justice requires it, commend when the government acts well and warn when it fails, all while maintaining its independence.
Okoh warned that divisions among denominations and inflammatory social‑media exchanges could undermine the unity that has defined CAN for five decades. He traced the organisation’s founding to August 1976, when Christian leaders sought a united platform to address community concerns, and noted how successive leaders expanded participation to include the five major Christian blocs.
During the ceremony, First Lady Tinubu received the Christian Icon Award, while former Heads of State Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice‑President Yemi Osinbajo were presented with the Pillar of Faith Award. Other recipients included Senator George Akume, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and governors Sheriff Oborevwori, Monday Okpebholo and Seyi Makinde. In a goodwill message, the First Lady praised CAN’s 50 years of service to God and humanity and urged Christian denominations to sustain their unity and continue working together in faith and purpose.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
