Church Must Challenge Government and Defend Nigerians – Archbishop Okoh on CAN’s 50th Anniversary

On the occasion of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)’s 50th anniversary, the Archbishop of Bendel, Most Reverend Dr. Felix A. Olumakaiye Okoh, has urged the church to challenge the government and defend Nigerians. Speaking at the CAN’s Golden Jubilee Celebration, Archbishop Okoh called on the association to be a voice for the voiceless and stand up for the rights of Nigerians. ‘As we celebrate CAN at 50, it is important to reflect on our role in the society and our responsibility towards our fellow Nigerians’, Archbishop Okoh said. He warned, however, that speaking prophetically did not mean opposing every government policy or turning the Church into a partisan platform. ‘We must speak truth to power, but always with love and respect’, he added. Archbishop Okoh’s call comes at a critical time for the Nigerian church, which has been under pressure to address issues of insecurity, corruption, and poor governance in the country. According to Vanguard News, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was founded in 1976 with the aim of promoting unity among Christians in Nigeria and defending their rights. The association represents over 70 million Christians across the country, making it one of the largest Christian bodies in Africa.