The newly elected President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has been called upon to help promote religious understanding and tolerance among Nigerian people.
The DEFENDER reports that Nigeria is largely populated by adherents of two major religions of Islam and Christian and only by leaderships of both faith groups promoting mutual understanding and tolerance can the nation’s diversity be positively deployed.
Okoh succeeded the immediate past President of CAN, Rev. Samson Olusupo Ayokunle, who just completed his tenure.
In his congratulatory message to the new leader, Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the new CAN leader who is the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church is a worthy successor to Ayokunle, whose tenure he acknowledged “was one characterized by exceptional commitment, principle and wisdom.”
The APC presidential candidate called on the new CAN President to emulate the quality leadership given by his predecessor as he noted that “Nigeria can only expect nothing but inspired and enlightened leadership from Rev. Okoh.”
“I congratulate Rev. Okoh on his election as the new president of CAN. Noting that Rev. Okoh had truly distinguished himself as the deputy to Rev. Ayokunle.
“CAN is one of the most important organizations in the nation. Not only does it seek the betterment of the Christian community in Nigeria, its moral force and standing benefit all Nigerians as we seek to establish a just and compassionate society where people of all faiths and beliefs live and work together in peace and harmony.
“As a nation, we are in a critical moment where misguided and terrible actors attempt to destroy social harmony and reign violence on us all. These awful forces seek to stoke religious and ethnic divisions in hope of pitting Nigerian brothers against Nigerian brothers. Decent and good Nigerians of all faiths must ally again with such designs. While we may not agree on everything, all well-meaning Nigerians agree that we must live in peace, must respect and honour our diversity and eschew violence and hatred.
“We are grateful that CAN as an organization embodies these and other principles that reflect the values and virtues of Christ. We are glad that the new President of CAN, Rev. Okoh, is a humane and kind soul who has dedicated his life to the betterment of his fellow man and is a person who will work with leaders of other faiths and beliefs to anneal the bonds of unity, inter-religious understanding and tolerance while advocating for the benefits of democratic good governance for all Nigerians regardless of creed or belief systems.
“As long as we stand forthright and adhere to these tenets, Nigeria will defeat the plans of those who seek to place discord and hatred at our door.
“As Rev. Okoh assumes the mantle of leadership, it is my hope and prayer that his tenure brightens every corner of our country and may he be a shining light to all.”
