Christian Association of Nigeria explained

Christian Association of Nigeria
Imagewidth:200px
Abbreviation:CAN
Main Classification:Christianity
Scripture:Bible
Structure:Non-denominational
Associations:Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria,
Organisation of African Instituted Churches,
Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Daniel Okoh
Area:Nigeria
Founded Date:1976
Website:CAN Website
Slogan:That they all may be one. John 17:21

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is an umbrella organisation containing numerous Christian denominations in Nigeria.

History

The Christian Association of Nigeria was founded in 1976, and originally only contained the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant groups. However, it later expanded to include Pentecostal churches as well.[1]

In 2000, the CAN protested the adoption of Sharia law in northern states.[2] In February 2006, while President of the organisation, Akinola issued a statement in response to Muslim violence against Christians, telling Muslims that they did not have a "monopoly on violence". The following day, Christians rioted in retaliation against Muslims, leading to more than 70 deaths.[3] [4] Akinola later claimed his statements had been misinterpreted in the western media. He even threatened to resign in case the riots should continue.[5]

On 2 May 2004, more than 630 Christians were killed in Yelwa, Nigeria. The dead were pinned white name tags identifying them as members of the CAN.[6] The massacre is known as the Yelwa massacre.

Organisation

The organisation is made up of five blocs; they are the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches and the Evangelical Church Winning All/Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.[7]

The CAN has Women and Youth Wings, a National Executive Council consisting of 105 members (which elects the President), and a General Assembly of 304 members (which ratifies the President's election).

Leadership

In 2016, Supo Ayokunle, President (and Chief Executive Officer) of The Nigerian Baptist Convention, was elected as president and Prof. Joseph Otubu, of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, the Vice President.

Ayokunle was re-elected for second term and inaugurated in July 2019 alongside his Vice President Rev Dr. Caleb Ahima.[8] In July 2022, Daniel Okoh was elected as the present president of the association[9]

OrderTerm of OfficeTenure ServedNamePlace of BirthDenominationNotes
1November 1988 - November 19952 re-elected 1992Anthony Cardinal OkogieLagos, NigeriaRoman CatholicArchbishop of Lagos
2November 1995 - November 20032 re-elected 1999Sunday MbangAkwa Ibom, NigeriaMethodistPrelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria
3November 2003 - June 20071Peter AkinolaOgun, NigeriaAnglicanPrelate, Anglican Church of Nigeria
4June 2007 - July 20101Archbishop John OnaiyekanKabba, NigeriaRoman CatholicArchbishop of Abuja
5July 2010 - July 20162 re-elected 2013[10] [11] Ayo OritsejaforWarri, NigeriaPentecostalPastor, Word of Life Bible Church
6July 2016 – July 20222 re-elected[12] Supo AyokunleOyo, NigeriaBaptistPresident, Nigerian Baptist Convention
7July 2022 - till dateIncumbent[13] Daniel OkohKano, NigeriaPentecostalGeneral Supretendent, Christ Holy Church International

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pentecostalism in Nigeria . 13 September 2007 . PewForum.org . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080306063843/http://pewforum.org/surveys/pentecostal/countries/?CountryID=150 . 6 March 2008. dead .
  2. News: Obed . Minchakpu . Nigerian Churches will Challenge Islamic Law . Compass . Compass Direct News Service . 2000 . 13 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070911040456/http://www.worthynews.com/news-features/compass-nigeria-sharia.html . 11 September 2007 . dead .
  3. News: Christians kill Muslims following warning by Nigerian Archbishop . Ekklesia.co.uk . Ekklesia. 23 February 2006 . 13 September 2007 .
  4. News: God's Country. The Atlantic. 1 March 2008. 19 September 2009. 14 May 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080514040428/http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/nigeria/2. dead.
  5. http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/weblog/comments/reactions_to_violence_in_nigeria_archbishop_peter_akinola_explains/ Reactions to violence in Nigeria: Archbishop Peter Akinola explains, Christianity Today
  6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3689615.stm Eyewitness: Nigeria's 'town of death'
  7. News: Onaiyekan is new CAN president . CBCN.org . Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. 19 June 2007. 19 June 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070720191629/http://www.cbcn.org/aspscripts/newslist.ASP?IDX=1#Onaiyekan%20is%20new%20CAN%20president-June%2019 . 20 July 2007 . dead .
  8. Web site: CAN inaugurates Ayokunle for second term presidency. Adeniyi. Olakunle. 2019-07-19. Nigeria news. en-US. 2019-07-19. 26 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201126183302/https://fellowpress.com/latest-news/59186/can-inaugurates-ayokunle-for-second-term-presidency/. dead.
  9. Web site: Daniel Okoh emerges CAN president. 2022-07-27. The Guardian. en-US. 2022-07-27.
  10. News: 'CAN Officers' . 2017-03-18 .
  11. News: CAN re-elects Oritsejafor as president. On July 10, 2013. He was first elected into the position in May 2010'. . 2014-10-28 . 2016-02-04 .
  12. Web site: Ayokunle retains seat as CAN president. Press. Fellow. 2019-06-19. Nigeria news. en-US. 2019-07-19. 19 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190719133203/https://www.fellowpress.com/news/57280/ayokunle-retaind-seat-as-can-president/. dead.
  13. Web site: Most Rev Daniel Okoh emerges CAN President. Press. Fellow. 2022-07-26. National daily . en-US. 2022-07-26.