SGF, new CAN president enjoin Christians to pray for peace in Nigeria

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has urged the Church to pray fervently for the country following the rate of insecurity.

Mustapha spoke in Abuja at the 12th General Assembly and leadership transition service of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The theme of the event is: “The role of the Church in times like this”.

The SGF urged Nigerians to always embrace peace and unity irrespective of religion or tribe.

He congratulated the incoming and the outgoing CAN presidents and prayed for their success.

Also ,the General Assembly of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) formally validated the election of Archbishop Daniel Okoh as the new president of the religious body.

His recommendation was done by an Electoral College set up to screen and suggest candidates for the office of the President and Vice President, respectively.

His nomination was in line with the provisions of the 2021 CAN constitution as amended.

Okoh, the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International, emerged the new leader after getting a 100 per cent vote of all 259 delegates, who participated in the 12th General Assembly of CAN.

He is expected to serve a single five-year term.

In his acceptance speech, Archbishop Okoh charged the President Muhammadu Buhari to quell the rising insecurity in the country.

“I thank the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), for his efforts to combat terrorism and banditry.

“I will like to appeal to His Excellency to end the bloodletting, kidnapping and general insecurity in all the geo-political zones of the country.

“I believe that government can do more to secure the lives and property given all the modern technology within its reach.”

Okoh noted the need for CAN to respond appropriately to national issues and assured that the apex Christian body would continue to participate actively and effectively in nation building.

Okoh stated that for Christians to remain relevant in the scheme of things, the first step was to increase CAN’s efforts to work towards Christian unity and mutual understanding.

He said these should be among the denominations of the Church in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the outgoing CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, urged his successor to love the people irrespective of their weaknesses.

“The people will annoy him, make him angry, and may not even appreciate him, but he must continue to seek the good of the people,” he advised.
In a sermon by Rev William Okoye, General Overseer, All Christians Fellowship Mission spoke on the topic “Finishing well”.

He said there were three very important questions all Christians and leaders should bear in mind and would give account of before God:
“What did you do with my son Jesus Christ; “As one who benefitted from Jesus’ death on the cross, did you live for him?
“What did you do with all the talents and gifts I gave you?

Okoye urged all Christians to ensure they lived within these questions to live right and enhance national development.