CAN's Golden Jubilee: Dignitaries Gather as Oluremi Tinubu, Gowon, Obasanjo, Jonathan, Osinbajo Honoured

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a significant milestone with a golden jubilee award ceremony and a thanksgiving service. The prestigious event, held on Saturday, was attended by a host of prominent Nigerian figures, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and several former leaders of the country, highlighting the association's enduring impact on national life and religious affairs.

During the ceremony, CAN bestowed honors upon distinguished personalities for their significant contributions to Christianity and national development. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu received the Christian Icon Award. Former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, alongside former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, were all recognized with the Pillar of Faith Award. Other notable recipients included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation 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.

Speaking at the event, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu expressed her gratitude, describing the award as a profound responsibility to deepen her service to God and humanity. She extended her thanks to CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh for the recognition and used the platform to call for greater unity among the diverse Christian denominations. Tinubu emphasized that the anniversary theme, "Walking Together in Faith," perfectly encapsulates the vital importance of unity and cooperation among believers. She urged CAN's various Christian blocs to maintain their common purpose and collaborate for the advancement of both the church and the nation.

Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in his address, provided a historical overview of CAN's establishment in August 1976. He explained that church leaders initially came together to create a unified platform for Christians to address pressing issues affecting both the church and the country. Okoh acknowledged that CAN had faced periods of suspicion, prejudice, and marginalization among some of its constituent groups over the years, but affirmed that successive administrations within the association had diligently worked to foster and promote unity. He also issued a caution against divisive and inflammatory exchanges on social media, encouraging Christians to actively take ownership of CAN and its various activities.

Reflecting on its half-century existence, Okoh highlighted CAN's consistent advocacy on crucial national issues, including religious freedom, justice, good governance, corruption, insecurity, humanitarian intervention, and national development. He passionately called for stronger advocacy on issues directly impacting Nigerians, such as internally displaced persons, out-of-school children, unemployed youths, farmers unable to access their farmlands due to insecurity, women facing violence, and victims of human trafficking, declaring emphatically, “The church must speak!”

Regarding the intricate relationship between government and religious institutions, Okoh advocated for what he termed “critical collaboration.” He explained that this model encourages the church to support policies that advance the common good, while simultaneously challenging injustice and demanding accountability from authorities. He articulated this approach as: “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.”

Adding another perspective, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde urged Christians to embrace a more active role in politics. He contended that abstaining from the political process could severely limit their ability to influence governance and contribute to national transformation. Makinde encouraged Christian brothers and sisters across the country to "brace up and participate in the agenda to transform Nigeria, to reset our country." He identified poverty as Nigeria’s most pressing challenge, urging leaders and citizens alike to concentrate on measures that would genuinely improve living conditions. Makinde stressed, “Our problem is not religious. Our problem in this country is poverty, grinding poverty.”

Established in 1976 as an umbrella body encompassing different Christian traditions in Nigeria, CAN's 50th-anniversary activities have underscored its foundational principles of Christian unity, dedicated service to humanity, and the essential role of the church in fostering national development.