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  • No Harm Should Befall Bishop Kukah – CAN Warns

    No Harm Should Befall Bishop Kukah – CAN Warns

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned those threatening the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah to stop their unlawful actions and also asked the security agencies to ensure the safety of the cleric.

    This warning was contained in a communique on Thursday by Barrister Joseph Bade Daramola the CAN General Secretary.

    “We have been watching the unfolding scenario since Bishop Kukah spoke his mind on the State of the Nation in his Christmas homily and how some groups of people have been threatening him with fire and brimstone while all relevant security agencies are pretending as if nothing unusual is happening.

    “We wonder if those threatening the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto are above the law or if they are sacred cows in the country.

    “We have studied the whole Christmas message of Dr. Kukah and we are yet to see any incitement against Islam or non- Christians. We see nothing wrong in his message to the nation that has been under the siege of terrorists, herdsmen killers, bandits, and kidnappers as if there was no government in place.

    “We see nothing wrong in telling a government whose lopsided appointments are against Christians the whole truth. If criticism against a Muslim President today, is an incitement to violence against Islam, it then means those who were criticising the duo of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan when they were in power were actually attacking Christianity.

    “When has it become an offence to speak the truth to power? When has it become a crime to criticise a government in the country?

    “When did the lawful fundamental of human rights suspend in the country?

    “When did some sections of the Constitution suspend without the awareness of the public?

    “When did the Police and the Directorate of the State Security Services lose their power to miscreants and lawless people who are making a boast of their lawlessness without a challenge?

    “We wonder if those Muslim groups who are threatening to deal with Kukah got equal response from their Christian counterparts, are we not setting up the country on fire?”, CAN’s statement read in part.

    The Christian body noted that Bishop Kukah was posted to serve in Sokoto by the Papacy and threatening him to leave is a global threat to Christianity.

    “In this same country, we have a Catholic Bishop whose name is synonymous with President Muhammadu Buhari yet the Catholic Church has not deemed it fit to sanction him because Freedom of Speech and Association is not only a constitutional matter but godly.”

    CAN called on President Muhammadu Buhari and all the security agencies to ensure that no harm befalls the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah.

    “As far as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is concerned, what he said in his Christmas Homily was still within the ambiance of the law.

    “It is high time those hiding under religious sentiments to promote violence and crises stopped doing so if we want this country to progress.

    “We have had enough of bloodshed in the country and we call on the security agencies to rise up to their constitutional responsibilities. Nothing must happen to Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah,” the communique read.

  • Twisting Bishop Kukah”s Christmas Message Injurious to nation-building – CAN

    Twisting Bishop Kukah”s Christmas Message Injurious to nation-building – CAN

    ..Say’s those castigating referred cleric are sectional zealots

    By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

    The leadership of Christan Association of Nigeria (CAN), has expressed great shock over what it described as twisting of the crux of the homily Bishop Kukah gave at the Christmas by presidency, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), other individuals and groups, saying, the action is an attempt to further divide the nation. 

    CAN, 19 northern states and Abuja, in a statement issued on Monday by it’s Vice chairman Rev. John Joseph Hayab, stated that it “has read with great shock attempts to further divide the nation by the Presidency, the leadership of MURIC and other individuals and groups aimed at twisting the crux of the homily Bishop Kukah gave at Christmas. 

    CAN noted that “Of grave misgiving is the baseless claim in a statement signed by the President of MURIC, Prof Ishaq Akintola, that Bishop Kukah had “referred to Islam as a violent religion” and “calls for a coup.” 

    According to CAN, “That such a statement comes from Prof Akintola is not only laughable but misleading and tissue of lies. 

    “Records show MURIC’s leadership is often careless with assertions and many times acting as if it was a political platform instead of a religious one. 

    “CAN 19 northern states and Abuja, therefore, condemn in its entirety, the misleading and inciting statements of MURIC and its likes, calling on the international as well as the local community to particularly counsel Prof Akintola of MURIC to learn to walk the path of honour and not be a merchant of crisis. 

    “Reading through Bishop Kukah’s homily, “A Nation In Search of Vindication” CAN stated that, it’s unable to find any expression suggesting an affront to Islam or a call for a coup. 

    CAN expressed sadness that MURIC is aimed at inviting citizens against one another along the lines of faith instead of denouncing the insecurity witnessed across the country, “which is the point of Bishop Kukah’s message. 

    “From the east to the south, west and all over the north, travelling has become a nightmare while hapless people are dragged from their homes for ransom. 

    “Our memory is fresh with the gruesome killings of 76 farmers in Borno State in early December 2020 whose crime was simply being farmers irking for a source of livelihoods for their families”, CAN stated.

    While CAN demanded to know what was MURIC’s statement at the time of the national tragedy, when Kankara boys Kidnapped and the excruciating pains the kids, their parents and school went through, the body added that it did not red a statement from MURIC and their likes. 

    “Now from the blues as Bishop Kukah talked the truth to power, we read unscrupulous statements aimed at painting black, a message that was clear and concise, alerting the government of its failure on the security of lives anf property of Nigerians. 

    “Given the current happenings in Nigeria with kidnapping, banditry, horrible atrocities committed against hapless citizens by members Boko Haram, Nigerians should be united in condemning and finding solutions to the awful condition that we are in as Bishop Kukah has rightly done.

    “For those castigating the referred cleric, we would call them by name – they are sectional zealots who only see the trouble in Nigeria from their primordial views. 

    “It is time for the Presidency, MURIC, and misinformed individuals to eschew their intolerance and admit that Nigeria under Buhari has strayed from the path and vision that the independence of this great country was fought for and won. 

    “Let the government do the right thing by creating a sense of inclusion for all sundry, defending the citizens from harm, bringing an end to the growing insecurity in towns, cities, and villages that we could attain greatness together”, CAN stated.

  • FG’s threat of ban on Christmas carol insensitive – CAN

    FG’s threat of ban on Christmas carol insensitive – CAN

    The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) on Wednesday, described the warning by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 against Christmas Carol to curb a second wave the of the virus as insensitive.

    The Vice Chairman (Northern region) of the umbrella Christian body, Rev. John Hayab, stated this in an interview with the Vanguard in Abuja.

    Recall that the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, at a briefing by the PTF, said Christmas carols, other gatherings during the yuletide were capable of becoming ‘super spreaders’ of the virus, hence the need for Nigerians to avoid them as much as possible.

    However, CAN said it was not right for the Presidential Task Force to threaten a ban on Christmas carol without discussion with the leadership of the church on the way forward.

    He argued that religious gatherings would not escalate the spread of the virus during the yuletide, so long as the Churches maintained its high-level compliance with the current guidelines set by the government for reopening of worship centres.

    Hayab said, “Christians have been holding worship services and observing all Federal Government protocols, and other medical advice on coronavirus since the lockdown was relaxed and worship centres were reopened.

    “So, what we expected from the PTF on were advice for continued compliance by religious bodies and the general public to the already established protocols.

    “But to mention Christmas Carol or suggest a ban only shows how insensitive some privileged government officials can be.

    “The Church is doing more than what the PTF has requested us to do till now, and church leaders are still encouraging followers to practice those protocols both at home, market and anywhere there was more that ten persons.

    “CAN remains ready and willing to work with, and help the PTF and all other relevant agencies to sensitize our congregations to observe any new or additional protocols to stop the spread of the virus, but the message from the PTF about the Christmas Carol is wrong and poorly timed.”

  • CAN calls for proactive measures to end kidnapping, banditry

    CAN calls for proactive measures to end kidnapping, banditry

    The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, has expressed shock at the increasing wave of kidnapping and banditry activities along Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

    CAN noted that the activities of armed men along the expressway and other parts of Kaduna State need urgent government attention at all levels to bring the ugly situation to a logical end.

    According to CAN in a statement issued by its state chairman, Rev John Joseph Hayab, unimaginable lives have been lost while billions of Naira have been paid as ransom to kidnappers.

    The statement noted, “The increasing insecurity on Kaduna – Abuja road has reached a frightening level, therefore, requires urgent and pragmatic action by government at all levels. Without a doubt, citizens are no longer safe to travel on Nigerian roads, especially on Kaduna – Abuja road, due to the terror of bandits and kidnappers.”

    It added, “While we have heard from the government the efforts made to stop these evil men and women from terrifying travelers, it appears the steps are not yielding the desired outcomes.”

    CAN said It is based on the current realities that it is appealing for a new and community inclusive strategy to defeat the mindless folks who have turned a once busy road to a den of kidnappers, making motorists and travelers to shiver at the mention of Kaduna – Abuja road.

    CAN called on government to seek collaboration with every known retired security personnel for synergy in the fight against banditry. “It is a known fact that Kaduna and its environs have many gallant but retired security personnel. The ‘old guard’ as they are often called has good knowledge of war and the use of weapons. They understand guerilla war strategy and could help if they are called upon to collaborate to combat these bandits and kidnappers away from our roads to ease the anxiety of travelling,” CAN advised.

    CAN noted that if such strategy is adopted, the government could pay the volunteers (verified retired military and other security personnel) some remuneration for accepting to put their lives on the line.

    CAN appealed to all citizens with useful information that could help the personnel combating the menace of kidnappings not to hesitate to assist government and security agencies so that they can defeat these bandits and kidnappers once and for all.

    “Our nation cannot be productive if her citizens live in fear. One of the dire consequences of kidnapping is that many farmers can no longer go to the farm and some may not harvest their crops because farmlands and roads are not safe,” CAN explained.

    It noted that free citizens are afraid to travel to do business because there is danger on the roads and highways, adding that the country is heading to a doomsday.

    It added that when people live in perpetual fear, they could scarcely think right or plan intelligently, saying that is why the government needs to act fast to halt the frenzy caused by bandits and kidnappers on Nigeria’s highways, especially on Kaduna – Abuja road.

  • CAN blames Govt over escalation of lootings, vandalization

    CAN blames Govt over escalation of lootings, vandalization

    By Ujah Simon, Kaduna

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has blamed government over the incident of lootings and vandalization of palliatives for not doing enough in carrying the citizens along.
    CAN also fault imposing of 24 hours curfew on larger people in a slightest provocation,  describing it as unfortunate and a step in the wrong direction. A statement issued on Sunday and signed by Kaduna state CAN Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab noted that the escalation of the lootings was due to government inability to carry relevant stakeholders along.

    “This unfortunate incidents are happening because government is not doing enough to carry her citizens along in issues as this”, it stated. The statement added that “CAN notes that issues like this, escalate largely because government is not carrying the relevant stakeholders along. “These youths live in communities where we have different community leaders, Government should involve these leaders in matters as these rather than resorting to imposing curfew at every little provocation. “We therefore call on Government to as a matter of urgency reassess and review the 24 hours curfew imposed to a more favorable time to enable citizens go about their lawful business”, it stated. CAN stated that while it called on Government to review the curfew, it also called on citizens especially pastors and all Christians in Kaduna State to be lawful and obey Government regulations always. “We reiterate the call on all to find lawful channels of ventilating their grievances to enable a peaceful environment for our individual and collective growth”, saying it was wrong to allowed the wrong doing of a few, within a little part of the state to cause the larger community pains and hardship.” Government should find other ways of handling criminality. Curfew has become an easy tool in the hands of government that at the slightest provocation. 
    It called on government official keeping palliative in any Warehouse for selfish reason  in the face of hunger and hardships in the country to bring them out and share to the people before they’re located by the citizens to avoid further escalation of crises, while condemning the act of vandalization and looting by youths and Called for investigation.

  • CAN Laments over Increased drug abuse among S/kaduna youths

    CAN Laments over Increased drug abuse among S/kaduna youths

    ..Say’s cut them off guard when bandits strike


    BY Ujah Simon, Kaduna
    The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, kaduna  State Chapter, has decried the rise in drug abuse and addiction among youths, in southern kaduna, saying it has caused them to be cut off guard when bandits launch attacks in their communities. 
    The State Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, expressed this yesterday during a victory praise and worship march in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Hayab said the menace of drug abuse is fast eating deep into the fabric of the society, noting that swift and decisive action must be taken to arrest the ugly trend. “CAN in Kaduna State is saying no to drug addiction and that’s why we come to Kafanchan, to speak to pastors, women and youths if there’s anything they can do for us to overcome this because if you are in your senses when an enemy strikes, you will know how to react. “But when you are drunk and out of your mind, an enemy can even destroy you and you have nothing and you will not be useful to the society neither can you help yourself,” he said. According to him, people who take drugs to fight their enemies often turn on to their family and friends around them when such enemies are long gone. “We must preach against drugs in our churches, in our community meetings and everywhere.  And that is why I am challenging pastors today. If you don’t speak against drugs, the problem will only get worse. “If you are angry and you take drugs and you go and fight, once there is no enemy, the addicted person will turn against his family and friends,” he noted He said CAN was looking to discourage women from selling local drinks, also known as brukutu, by training them on financial literacy and giving them seed capital to start viable small businesses. 
    “Even the sales of alcohol we want to stop it, but we cannot just stop it without giving alternatives. So we are willing to help women who are selling local drinks to stop it and we give them an alternative business and little capital to start the business. 
    “Because we want to see a better community. A community of peace, prosperity and good health because drug addicts disrupt all these thing and that is what we want to fight,” he added 
    He appealed to government at all levels to support agencies working to rehabilitate drug addicts. “If there is anything we need to do now, we need to work together. Government must support agencies working to help rehabilitate drug addicts,” he said
    The CAN Chairman said the victory march was organized to give thanks to God for preserving the lives of the people of Southern Kaduna. He also expressed appreciation to God for the relative peace being enjoyed in the region following months of continuous unprovoked attacks by bandits.
    The highlight of the event was the rendition of praise and worship songs and prayers for Southern Kaduna as well as a victory March.

  • CAN also dissociates self from S/Kaduna NCPC peace summit

    CAN also dissociates self from S/Kaduna NCPC peace summit

    … Say’s it’s fake peace summit
    By Ujah Simon, Kaduna
    Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna state has also disassociated itself from the peace summit organized by the friends of Southern Kaduna in collaboration with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), describing it as fake peace summit.Earlier, the  peace summit organized to dialogue with relevant stakeholders to deescalate conflict in Southern part of Kaduna state, was boycotted by Southern Kaduna Christians leaders and  Southern Kaduna people’s union, SOKAPU. 
    CAN, in a statement made available to our Correspondent on Tuesday stated that, it’ll not be part of fake peace process they were not sure of the genuineness of those planning it.The statement dated 2nd September 2020 and signed by the kaduna CAN General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Sunday Ibrahim, stressed that it received the letter of invitation to participate in the summit on 1st September 2020.
    CAN stated that the invitation letter was attached with the agenda of the Summit in which their Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab was enlisted to offer the opening Prayer at the opening of the summit. 
    “We find this invitation and the proposed summit improperly organized. CAN Kaduna State has been involved and is still involved in working for a long lasting peace in southern Kaduna and Kaduna State as a whole in partnership with genuine, purpose driven, and sincere stakeholders in peace building and we are open to such partnership always”, it stated.. The statement added that “However, we will not allow conflict entrepreneurs to use our situation for self enrichment”, saying the southern Kaduna Security challenge needed a wholistic genuine approach and not a white washed playing in the gallery approach. “We will not be a part of a fake peace process that we are not sure of the genuineness of those planning it. “CAN and JNI remains the recognized authorities representing the Christian and Muslim religions respectively, hence, remains the only legitimate authorities to partner with for any peace process and other matters relating to religion in Nigeria as a whole.”We here establish that the organizers never contacted us ahead of this planned summit and we find the enlisting of our chairman in the agenda as a mere use of his name to lay false credibility to the questionable peace process. 
    “To this end, CAN Kaduna State is publicly disassociating herself with this summit in its entirety given the ingenuity, insincerity and the lack of transparency in the processes leading to the summit. “If you (the organizers) see the need of our participation, the proper thing should be done rather than following the path of those who merely collect funds from individuals, groups and Government for selfish gains through a cosmetic peace process”, it also stated.
    The summit however went on in kafanchan on Tuesday.

  • CAMA 2020: CAN President, Appeals to Buhari to suspend act

    CAMA 2020: CAN President, Appeals to Buhari to suspend act

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the suspension of the implementation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA.

    Ayokunle warned that the CAMA Act was inimical to the interest, security, peace and stability of Nigerians, hence should be suspended.

    He gave the call in a statement he issued, on Tuesday.

    Recall that Buhari had on August 7, 2020, signed the amended CAMA Act into law.

    But, Christian leaders have faulted the act which they insisted is targeting the church.

    He stressed that the Act did not receive input from “various interest groups” and failed “to accommodate their views.”

    Ayokunle stated that there was no point in seeking “judicial intervention or amendment of the Act by the National Assembly” as such “shall achieve nothing much.”

    He said: “We consider the Act, as indeed, a complex of statecraft compendium, laden with issues that are grossly inimical to national interest, security (- peace and stability), and overall well-being of the Nigerian-state.

    “Mr. President, we are of the opinion that you should kindly issue the appropriate directives to suspend the implementation of CAMA 2020 and affirm a thorough reappraisal of the legislation that is in correlation with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), other extant legal and policy frameworks, the national economy, national security, national interest and the wellbeing of the Nigerian-state.”

  • Money has become ‘god’ in our churches – CAN president laments

    Money has become ‘god’ in our churches – CAN president laments

    Rev. Samson Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has lamented that money has become the god of many Christians, especially church leaders in the country.

    He also said sexual immorality, gluttony, and financial impropriety prevalent in churches was due to lack of discipline.

    Rev. Ayokunle stated this in his speech at the ongoing virtual convention of the church.

    The cleric noted that one can no longer separate unbelievers from Christians.

    “The church is in a state where lack of discipline has led to many instances of sexual immorality, gluttony, financial impropriety, laziness, court cases, etc,” he said.

    He said that the behaviour of Christians has led to the name of God being maligned, with Obscene dressing and all forms of impurities happening among God’s children.

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    Ayokunle cried out that most people who call themselves Christians cannot be trusted for any noble assignment, adding that “There appears to be no difference between them and the unbelievers.

    “Money, in particular, has become the god of some ]if not many] Christians, including Church leaders! What a shame to the Church!”

  • Gov Fintiri hails CAN Chairman for disclosing COVID-19 status

    Gov Fintiri hails CAN Chairman for disclosing COVID-19 status

    Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has commended the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Stephen Mamza, for publicly declaring his COVID-19 positive status.

    Stephen Mamza who is also the Catholic Bishop of Yola announced on Sunday that he had tested positive for COVID-19, thus becoming the first prominent person in Adamawa State to publicly declare his status.

    Governor Fintiri while commending Bishop Mamza’s openness said his action would spread the message to the doubting masses, against the backdrop that many people in the state still do not believe in the reality of COVID-19.

    Governor Fintiri, in a press statement on Monday, assured the CAN chairman that his government and the people were with him in prayers.

    “I believe he would come out stronger from this trial,” Fintiri said in the statement released by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou.

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    He described as enormous the contributions of Bishop Mamza, who also serves as a member of the state COVID-19 Containment Committee, to the fight against the pandemic.

    “Our thoughts are with Bishop Dami Mamza at this trying period. I am optimistic that he will be fine because testing positive is not a death sentence,” Fintiri said.