Christian Association of Nigeria

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

The official logo of the Association

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 Muslims 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.

In September 2007, the organisation endorsed a social security plan put forth by Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.[7]

Organisation[]

The organisation is made up of five blocs; they are the , the , the , Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the Evangelical Church Winning All/Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.[8]

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).[8]

Leadership[]

In 2016, Supo Ayokunle, President (and Chief Executive Officer) of , was elected as president and Prof. , of the , the Vice President.

Ayokunle was re-elected for second term and inaugurated in July 2019 alongside his Vice President Rev Dr. Caleb Ahima.[9]

Order Term of Office Tenure Served Name Place of Birth Denomination Notes
1 November 1988 - November 1995 2 re-elected 1992 Anthony Cardinal Okogie Lagos, Nigeria Roman Catholic
2 November 1995 - November 2003 2 re-elected 1999 Sunday C. Mbang Akwa Ibom, Nigeria Methodist Prelate of the
3 November 2003 - June 2007 1 Peter Akinola Ogun, Nigeria Anglican Prelate, Anglican Church of Nigeria
4 June 2007 - July 2010 1 Archbishop John Onaiyekan Kabba, Nigeria Roman Catholic Archbishop of Abuja
5 July 2010 - July 2016 2 re-elected 2013[10][11] Ayo Oritsejafor Warri, Nigeria Pentecostal Pastor, Word of Life Bible Church
6 July 2016 – Present re-elected

incumbent[12]

Supo Ayokunle Oyo, Nigeria Baptist President, Nigerian Baptist Convention

References[]

  1. ^ "Pentecostalism in Nigeria". PewForum.org. Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  2. ^ Minchakpu, Obed (2000). "Nigerian Churches will Challenge Islamic Law". Compass. Compass Direct News Service. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  3. ^ "Christians kill Muslims following warning by Nigerian Archbishop". Ekklesia.co.uk. Ekklesia. 23 February 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  4. ^ "God's Country". The Atlantic. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  5. ^ Reactions to violence in Nigeria: Archbishop Peter Akinola explains, Christianity Today
  6. ^ Eyewitness: Nigeria's 'town of death'
  7. ^ Olawale, Taiwo (9 September 2007). "Sultan, CAN Laud Govt Over Security Policy". This Day via allAfrica.com. Leaders & Company Limited. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Onaiyekan is new CAN president". CBCN.org. Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  9. ^ Adeniyi, Olakunle (19 July 2019). "CAN inaugurates Ayokunle for second term presidency". Nigeria news. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  10. ^ "'CAN Officers'". Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  11. ^ "CAN re-elects Oritsejafor as president. On July 10, 2013. He was first elected into the position in May 2010'". Vanguard News. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  12. ^ Press, Fellow (19 June 2019). "Ayokunle retains seat as CAN president". Nigeria news. Retrieved 19 July 2019.

External links[]

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