By Adeleye Kunle
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, July 29, reacted to the new leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
TrackNews reported earlier that the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church (Odozi-Obodo), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, was on Thursday confirmed as the CAN president.
Okoh’s election follows the expiration of the tenure of the Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, who served the Christian body for six years.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday by his media aide, Femi Adesina, President Buhari congratulate Archibishop Okoh on his new position in the Christiandom.
According to him, the election of Okoh by the very important Christian body is a testament to his devotion to the church of God in the country and beyond, distinguished vocation as a Christian leader, and abiding commitment to promoting ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue.
While acknowledging the role that CAN has played in fostering religious unity and harmony in the country, Buhari believed that the incoming leader would continue to provide the needed leadership for the church, affirming the scriptural truth: ‘‘That they all may be one – John 17:21a”.
Buhari, who had fond memories of his interactions with the CAN leadership, said he valued the counsel and spiritual contributions of Christian leaders to nation-building by encouraging, advising, strengthening, correcting, and criticising those in authority.
The Nigerian leader also prayed that the tenure of Okoh in this new phase of ministry would be marked with success, urging the blocs that made up CAN to kindly give the cleric every needed support to excel.
Buhari also wished the outgoing President, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, best wishes in his spiritual and secular endeavours.
