By Joy Salami
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi State Chapter, has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a call on religious leaders, political office holders and Nigerians to promote unity, peaceful coexistence and responsible leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The golden jubilee celebration, held in Lokoja, brought together religious leaders, government officials, Christian faithful and Muslim leaders to reflect on the association’s contributions to spiritual growth, peacebuilding and social development in the state.
Speaking at the event, the state CAN Chairmann, Pastor Emmanuel Onanuga, called on politicians to conduct themselves with the fear of God, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.
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Onanuga urged Nigerians to sustain the unity the country had enjoyed despite religious and political differences, noting that prayers must be accompanied by peaceful conduct and mutual respect.
He assured the gathering that CAN would continue to pray for the state and the country, while encouraging citizens to live peacefully with one another.
The chairman described the anniversary as an opportunity to appreciate what God had done for the association and to renew its commitment to bringing people together despite their differences.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, stressed the importance of religious harmony and urged religious leaders to use their influence to unite the people rather than promote division along religious, ethnic or political lines.
The governor, who congratulated CAN on its 50th anniversary, described the milestone as a celebration of God’s faithfulness and a tribute to generations of Christian leaders whose contributions had helped shape the spiritual and social development of the state.
He said faith should inspire people to build bridges, serve humanity and pursue the common good, regardless of their religious or political differences.
According to him, the theme of the anniversary, “The Glory of Worshipping Together in Faith,” drawn from Acts 2:1, underscores the importance of unity, collective worship and working towards a shared future.
Ododo urged religious leaders to pray for Nigeria, Kogi State and those in positions of authority, stressing that leadership requires divine wisdom, integrity and a genuine commitment to public service.
He noted that decisions made by political leaders directly affect the daily lives of citizens, including security, employment, education and the cost of living.
The governor also urged the church to encourage responsible participation in the electoral process, calling on eligible citizens to make informed decisions based on the long-term interests of the country.
He cautioned religious leaders against using the pulpit to promote political manipulation or sow discord, insisting that the church should remain a platform for reconciliation, moral instruction and peaceful coexistence.
“We may disagree politically, but we must never allow those disagreements to destroy our shared identity. We may belong to different political parties, but we belong to one country,” he added.
Ododo further stressed the need for religious institutions to help shape the character of young people by teaching honesty, discipline, compassion, hard work and selflessness.
He reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to partner with religious institutions in education, healthcare, humanitarian services and peacebuilding to improve the well-being of the people.
The guest speaker, Pastor Israel Olajumoke, State Pastor of Living Faith Church, Kogi, called on religious leaders to use their faith to positively influence society and promote love, healing and humanitarian service.
He said no religion should condemn another, stressing that genuine faith should be demonstrated through good deeds and concern for the welfare of others.
According to him, the example of Jesus Christ, who went about doing good and healing people, should guide religious leaders in their dealings with society.
“The Church is a place of love, and we are to share that love with society,” he said, warning religious leaders against provocative statements and actions capable of creating tension among worshippers of different faiths.
He maintained that religious influence should be exercised through positive example, compassion and service rather than condemnation or unnecessary religious arguments.
The Secretary of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Kogi State Chapter, Alhaji Isa Adeboye, commended the level of religious harmony in the state, describing the participation of Muslim leaders and faithful in the Christian anniversary as evidence of peaceful coexistence.
He observed that Christians and Muslims had demonstrated their willingness to support one another, adding that religious differences should not become grounds for discrimination.
Using his own family as an example, he disclosed that while he was a Muslim, his younger brother was a Christian and a professor of architecture, stressing that differences in religious beliefs should not undermine family and societal relationships.
The JNI secretary urged religious leaders to sustain their cooperation and continue praying for the state, the country and its leadership.
He also reminded political office holders of their responsibility to govern with justice, fairness and accountability, noting that public officials would ultimately be answerable for their actions.
Adeboye called on politicians to honour the oaths they take when assuming public office and to ensure that their decisions reflect the interests and expectations of the people they represent.
Also speaking, the Catholic Bishop of Lokoja Diocese, Bishop Martin Olorunmolu, thanked God for sustaining the Christian community and commended CAN for its contributions over the years.
The bishop noted that CAN was founded in 1976, while the Kogi State Chapter began in 1991, expressing gratitude for the association’s continued growth and its efforts to strengthen cooperation among Christians.
He called for sustained unity within the Christian community and urged religious leaders to continue working for stability and the overall progress of the state.
Olorunmolu described the anniversary as a memorable occasion that provided an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of past leaders and the achievements recorded over the years.
He, however, noted that more work remained to be done, urging Christians to remain committed to faith, unity and the development of their communities.
The celebration also honoured the contributions of CAN’s founding fathers and mothers, past leaders and members whose sacrifices helped sustain the association over the past five decades.
Speakers at the event agreed on the need for religious leaders to promote mutual respect, encourage responsible citizenship and support efforts aimed at building a peaceful and prosperous society.
They called for unity among religious groups, responsible political leadership and stronger partnerships between government and faith-based institutions in addressing social challenges.
The highlight of the celebration was the presentation of awards to Governor Ododo, the State Pastor of Living Faith Church, Pastor Dr Israel Olajumoke, the Catholic Bishop of Lokoja Diocese, Bishop Martin Olorunmolu, the Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital, Dr Oluseyi Bamidele Folagbade, the State Chairman of JNI, Ambassador Usman Bello among others.
