● As Tinubu, Gowon, Obasanjo, Jonathan, Osinbajo, others receive awards; Makinde urges Christians to engage in politics
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged churches across the country to intensify their advocacy against injustice, insecurity, corruption and poor governance, insisting that Christians must defend vulnerable citizens and hold political leaders accountable.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the charge on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the association’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee celebration, awards ceremony and thanksgiving service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The celebration, themed “Walking Together in Faith,” brought together Christian leaders, government officials and other dignitaries to commemorate five decades of Christian unity, public engagement and humanitarian service.
In his anniversary address, titled “CAN at 50: A Prophetic Voice of Hope,” Okoh said the Church must remain morally vigilant on issues affecting justice, human dignity, democracy,
constitutionalism, religious freedom, peace, accountability and the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
Drawing from the biblical account of the watchman in Ezekiel 33, he likened the Church’s responsibility to that of a sentinel who must remain alert, identify impending dangers and warn the people.
He maintained, however, that the Church’s prophetic voice must be courageous without becoming partisan, insisting that public interventions should be grounded in truth, credible evidence and responsible analysis rather than rumours or political interests.
“The Church in Nigeria, therefore, must remain morally alert to developments affecting justice, human dignity, democratic institutions, constitutionalism, peace, freedom of religion and belief, accountability and the wellbeing of vulnerable citizens,” he said.
Okoh identified internally displaced persons (IDPs), children denied access to education, unemployed youths, rural farmers prevented from accessing their farmlands because of insecurity, women facing violence, communities affected by environmental degradation, victims of human trafficking and people without access to legal representation as groups requiring greater attention.
“The Gospel makes it impossible to remain indifferent to the living conditions of the vulnerable. Faith must find practical expression in compassion, service and advocacy. The Church must speak!” he declared.
He said CAN had, over the past 50 years, consistently addressed religious freedom, justice, good governance, corruption, insecurity, humanitarian intervention and national development, with successive administrations engaging political leaders on issues affecting the common good.
According to him, the association must build on these contributions by developing a more informed, courageous, evidence-based and constructive approach to national affairs in the next 50 years.
CAN advocates critical collaboration with government
On relations between religious institutions and the state, Okoh advocated what he described as “critical collaboration”, arguing that the Church should cooperate with government where necessary while retaining its independence and challenging actions that undermine justice.
“The appropriate model is critical collaboration, meaning collaborate where the common good requires it, challenge where justice requires it, commend where government does well and warn where government fails, while maintaining the Church’s independence,” he said.
He called for greater investment in research, advocacy, humanitarian services and engagement with national development issues. He also identified environmental protection, climate resilience, ethical technological development and the preservation of human dignity as priorities for the Church in the coming decades.
The CAN president urged political leaders to govern responsibly, respect the Constitution, protect citizens, account for public resources, listen to the people and strengthen national institutions.
He equally called on Christians to complement their prayers for Nigeria and its leaders with practical contributions to nation-building.
“The message to the Church must be equally clear: pray for Nigeria, pray for those in government, speak for Nigeria, serve Nigeria, build Nigeria and heal Nigeria,” he said.
Expressing confidence in Nigeria’s future, Okoh stressed that hope must be accompanied by responsibility, integrity and accountability.
“Prayer must be accompanied by positive action, faith by integrity, leadership by accountability, and freedom by responsibility,” he said.
CAN celebrates 50 years of Christian unity
Reflecting on the association’s history, Okoh paid tribute to its founding fathers, who established CAN in August 1976 to provide Nigerian Christians with a common platform for addressing challenges confronting the Church and the country.
He described the golden jubilee as a testimony to the determination of successive Christian leaders to overcome doctrinal, denominational and traditional differences in pursuit of a shared mission.
Although the association experienced suspicion, prejudice and marginalisation among some of its constituent groups in its early years, Okoh said successive leaders had worked to bridge divisions and promote equal rights and participation.
He described Nigeria’s ecumenical experience as distinctive in Africa, noting that diverse Christian traditions had been brought together under a single national platform.
CAN’s major blocs include the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN/PFN), Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), and TEKAN/ECWA Fellowship.
The CAN president warned that divisive conduct, particularly inflammatory exchanges on social media, could undermine the progress made over the decades.
He urged younger Christians and future leaders to protect the association’s unity and take collective responsibility for its growth rather than leaving its affairs solely to elected and appointed officials.
He said the golden jubilee should be remembered not merely as a celebration of the past but as the beginning of a renewed commitment to Christian unity, national service and the defence of human dignity.
Tinubu calls for stronger Christian unity
Meanwhile, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu called on Christians across denominations to strengthen their unity and pursue common goals for the advancement of the Church and Nigeria.
Tinubu, who received the Christian Icon Award at the ceremony, described the recognition as a renewed responsibility to serve God and humanity.
She thanked Okoh and CAN for the honour, describing the association’s 50th anniversary as a significant milestone in the history of Christianity in Nigeria.
According to her, the theme, “Walking Together in Faith,” underscores the importance of cooperation, unity and shared purpose among believers.
Citing John 17:21–22 and Ephesians 4:4–6, she urged the different Christian blocs within CAN to preserve their common ground and work together for the growth of the Church and the development of the country.
“I want you to know that this award is a call to greater work in service to God and humanity,” she said.
The First Lady also wished CAN continued success in its mission and encouraged the association to remain committed to its spiritual responsibilities, including preparing Christians for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
As part of the anniversary activities, Tinubu also unveiled a history book documenting the association’s journey, titled Walking Together in Faith.
CAN honours former leaders, public officials
The golden jubilee celebration also featured awards recognising prominent Nigerians for their contributions to Christianity, public service and national development.
Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo received the Pillar of Faith Award.
Tinubu was among the recipients recognised with a Christian Icon honour.
Other award recipients included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo; and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The awards formed part of the association’s anniversary programme, which celebrated individuals recognised for their contributions to the Christian community and the country.
Makinde urges Christians to participate actively in politics
Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde urged Christians nationwide to participate more actively in politics and the process of national transformation.
Makinde, who also received a Christian Icon award, cautioned against the perception that politics was inherently dirty or incompatible with Christian values, arguing that withdrawing from the political process could limit believers’ influence on public policy and governance.
He said Christians could not remain on the sidelines and expect meaningful changes in the country, urging them to take up leadership responsibilities and contribute to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
“I will use this opportunity to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters all across the country to brace up and participate in the agenda to transform Nigeria, to reset our country,” he said.
Drawing lessons from biblical accounts involving Samuel, the sons of Eli, David and King Saul, Makinde argued that the shortcomings of political leaders should not discourage Christians from seeking positions where they could contribute positively to society.
He recalled how Samuel emerged despite the misconduct of Eli’s sons and how David served in Saul’s palace even after being anointed as Israel’s future king.
According to Makinde, these examples demonstrate the importance of engagement, service and responsibility rather than withdrawal from public affairs because of the conduct of those in authority.
The governor also identified poverty as Nigeria’s most pressing challenge, urging the country to focus on economic hardship and improving citizens’ living conditions rather than allowing religious differences to dominate national discourse.
“Our problem is not primarily a religious one. Our problem in this country is poverty — grinding poverty,” he said.
Makinde called on political leaders and citizens to prioritise practical measures that would reduce poverty, improve living standards and address the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
His remarks reinforced the broader message of the anniversary: that faith, public responsibility and national development should go hand in hand.
A renewed national mission
As CAN begins its next 50 years, Okoh urged the Church to preserve its unity, defend vulnerable citizens and strengthen its role in promoting accountability, justice and national cohesion.
He challenged political leaders to govern with integrity and respect for constitutional principles, while calling on Christians to combine prayer with active participation in building a more peaceful, just and prosperous Nigeria.
The anniversary, he said, should serve as a renewed call to service, with the Church remaining independent enough to challenge injustice, constructive enough to support the common good and compassionate enough to stand with Nigerians whose voices are often ignored.
As Tinubu, Gowon, Obasanjo, Jonathan, Osinbajo, others receive awards; Makinde urges Christians to engage in politics
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged churches across the country to intensify their advocacy against injustice, insecurity, corruption and poor governance, insisting that Christians must defend vulnerable citizens and hold political leaders accountable.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the charge on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the association’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee celebration, awards ceremony and thanksgiving service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The celebration, themed “Walking Together in Faith,” brought together Christian leaders, government officials and other dignitaries to commemorate five decades of Christian unity, public engagement and humanitarian service.
In his anniversary address, titled “CAN at 50: A Prophetic Voice of Hope,” Okoh said the Church must remain morally vigilant on issues affecting justice, human dignity, democracy,
constitutionalism, religious freedom, peace, accountability and the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
Drawing from the biblical account of the watchman in Ezekiel 33, he likened the Church’s responsibility to that of a sentinel who must remain alert, identify impending dangers and warn the people.
He maintained, however, that the Church’s prophetic voice must be courageous without becoming partisan, insisting that public interventions should be grounded in truth, credible evidence and responsible analysis rather than rumours or political interests.
“The Church in Nigeria, therefore, must remain morally alert to developments affecting justice, human dignity, democratic institutions, constitutionalism, peace, freedom of religion and belief, accountability and the wellbeing of vulnerable citizens,” he said.
Okoh identified internally displaced persons (IDPs), children denied access to education, unemployed youths, rural farmers prevented from accessing their farmlands because of insecurity, women facing violence, communities affected by environmental degradation, victims of human trafficking and people without access to legal representation as groups requiring greater attention.
“The Gospel makes it impossible to remain indifferent to the living conditions of the vulnerable. Faith must find practical expression in compassion, service and advocacy. The Church must speak!” he declared.
He said CAN had, over the past 50 years, consistently addressed religious freedom, justice, good governance, corruption, insecurity, humanitarian intervention and national development, with successive administrations engaging political leaders on issues affecting the common good.
According to him, the association must build on these contributions by developing a more informed, courageous, evidence-based and constructive approach to national affairs in the next 50 years.
CAN advocates critical collaboration with government
On relations between religious institutions and the state, Okoh advocated what he described as “critical collaboration”, arguing that the Church should cooperate with government where necessary while retaining its independence and challenging actions that undermine justice.
“The appropriate model is critical collaboration, meaning collaborate where the common good requires it, challenge where justice requires it, commend where government does well and warn where government fails, while maintaining the Church’s independence,” he said.
He called for greater investment in research, advocacy, humanitarian services and engagement with national development issues. He also identified environmental protection, climate resilience, ethical technological development and the preservation of human dignity as priorities for the Church in the coming decades.
The CAN president urged political leaders to govern responsibly, respect the Constitution, protect citizens, account for public resources, listen to the people and strengthen national institutions.
He equally called on Christians to complement their prayers for Nigeria and its leaders with practical contributions to nation-building.
“The message to the Church must be equally clear: pray for Nigeria, pray for those in government, speak for Nigeria, serve Nigeria, build Nigeria and heal Nigeria,” he said.
Expressing confidence in Nigeria’s future, Okoh stressed that hope must be accompanied by responsibility, integrity and accountability.
“Prayer must be accompanied by positive action, faith by integrity, leadership by accountability, and freedom by responsibility,” he said.
CAN celebrates 50 years of Christian unity
Reflecting on the association’s history, Okoh paid tribute to its founding fathers, who established CAN in August 1976 to provide Nigerian Christians with a common platform for addressing challenges confronting the Church and the country.
He described the golden jubilee as a testimony to the determination of successive Christian leaders to overcome doctrinal, denominational and traditional differences in pursuit of a shared mission.
Although the association experienced suspicion, prejudice and marginalisation among some of its constituent groups in its early years, Okoh said successive leaders had worked to bridge divisions and promote equal rights and participation.
He described Nigeria’s ecumenical experience as distinctive in Africa, noting that diverse Christian traditions had been brought together under a single national platform.
CAN’s major blocs include the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN/PFN), Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), and TEKAN/ECWA Fellowship.
The CAN president warned that divisive conduct, particularly inflammatory exchanges on social media, could undermine the progress made over the decades.
He urged younger Christians and future leaders to protect the association’s unity and take collective responsibility for its growth rather than leaving its affairs solely to elected and appointed officials.
He said the golden jubilee should be remembered not merely as a celebration of the past but as the beginning of a renewed commitment to Christian unity, national service and the defence of human dignity.
Tinubu calls for stronger Christian unity
Meanwhile, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu called on Christians across denominations to strengthen their unity and pursue common goals for the advancement of the Church and Nigeria.
Tinubu, who received the Christian Icon Award at the ceremony, described the recognition as a renewed responsibility to serve God and humanity.
She thanked Okoh and CAN for the honour, describing the association’s 50th anniversary as a significant milestone in the history of Christianity in Nigeria.
According to her, the theme, “Walking Together in Faith,” underscores the importance of cooperation, unity and shared purpose among believers.
Citing John 17:21–22 and Ephesians 4:4–6, she urged the different Christian blocs within CAN to preserve their common ground and work together for the growth of the Church and the development of the country.
“I want you to know that this award is a call to greater work in service to God and humanity,” she said.
The First Lady also wished CAN continued success in its mission and encouraged the association to remain committed to its spiritual responsibilities, including preparing Christians for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
As part of the anniversary activities, Tinubu also unveiled a history book documenting the association’s journey, titled Walking Together in Faith.
CAN honours former leaders, public officials
The golden jubilee celebration also featured awards recognising prominent Nigerians for their contributions to Christianity, public service and national development.
Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo received the Pillar of Faith Award.
Tinubu was among the recipients recognised with a Christian Icon honour.
Other award recipients included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo; and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The awards formed part of the association’s anniversary programme, which celebrated individuals recognised for their contributions to the Christian community and the country.
Makinde urges Christians to participate actively in politics
Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde urged Christians nationwide to participate more actively in politics and the process of national transformation.
Makinde, who also received a Christian Icon award, cautioned against the perception that politics was inherently dirty or incompatible with Christian values, arguing that withdrawing from the political process could limit believers’ influence on public policy and governance.
He said Christians could not remain on the sidelines and expect meaningful changes in the country, urging them to take up leadership responsibilities and contribute to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
“I will use this opportunity to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters all across the country to brace up and participate in the agenda to transform Nigeria, to reset our country,” he said.
Drawing lessons from biblical accounts involving Samuel, the sons of Eli, David and King Saul, Makinde argued that the shortcomings of political leaders should not discourage Christians from seeking positions where they could contribute positively to society.
He recalled how Samuel emerged despite the misconduct of Eli’s sons and how David served in Saul’s palace even after being anointed as Israel’s future king.
According to Makinde, these examples demonstrate the importance of engagement, service and responsibility rather than withdrawal from public affairs because of the conduct of those in authority.
The governor also identified poverty as Nigeria’s most pressing challenge, urging the country to focus on economic hardship and improving citizens’ living conditions rather than allowing religious differences to dominate national discourse.
“Our problem is not primarily a religious one. Our problem in this country is poverty — grinding poverty,” he said.
Makinde called on political leaders and citizens to prioritise practical measures that would reduce poverty, improve living standards and address the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
His remarks reinforced the broader message of the anniversary: that faith, public responsibility and national development should go hand in hand.
A renewed national mission
As CAN begins its next 50 years, Okoh urged the Church to preserve its unity, defend vulnerable citizens and strengthen its role in promoting accountability, justice and national cohesion.
He challenged political leaders to govern with integrity and respect for constitutional principles, while calling on Christians to combine prayer with active participation in building a more peaceful, just and prosperous Nigeria.
The anniversary, he said, should serve as a renewed call to service, with the Church remaining independent enough to challenge injustice, constructive enough to support the common good and compassionate enough to stand with Nigerians whose voices are often ignored.