From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has challenged the Church to strengthen its advocacy against insecurity, corruption and poor governance, insisting that Christians must defend vulnerable citizens and hold political leaders accountable without becoming hostile to the government.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the charge yesterday at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, during activities marking the association’s 50th anniversary, where the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and four former national leaders were honoured for their contributions to the Christian community and the country.
Okoh said the Church must move beyond prayers and religious activities to confront injustice, defend human dignity and demand responsible leadership, warning that silence in the face of citizens’ suffering would undermine its moral authority.
“The Church must speak,” he declared, stressing that its interventions must be informed by facts, credible evidence and responsible analysis rather than partisan interests.
He identified internally displaced persons, out-of-school children, unemployed youths, rural farmers denied access to their farmlands because of insecurity, women facing violence and victims of human trafficking as groups requiring sustained attention from the Church.
Others, he said, included communities affected by environmental degradation and citizens unable to access legal representation.
According to him, the Christian faith must find practical expression in compassion, public service and advocacy for people confronted by poverty, insecurity, exclusion and other forms of injustice.
The CAN president, however, cautioned against indiscriminate criticism of the government, saying the Church must distinguish between legitimate policy disagreements and injustice.
He advocated what he described as “critical collaboration” between the Church and government, explaining that the relationship should neither be hostile nor submissive.
“The appropriate model is critical collaboration, meaning, collaborate where common good requires it, challenge where justice requires challenge, commend where government does well and warn where government fails, while maintaining the Church’s independence,” he said.
Okoh also urged Christians to protect the unity achieved by CAN over the past five decades. He warned that divisions among denominations and inflammatory exchanges on social media could undermine the association’s founding vision.
He traced CAN’s establishment to August 1976, when Christian leaders recognised the need for a united platform to address issues affecting the Christian community.
Although the journey was initially characterised by mutual suspicion, prejudice and marginalisation among some Christian traditions, he said successive leaders gradually expanded participation, bringing the five major Christian blocs under one umbrella.
Okoh urged the association to strengthen its research capacity, humanitarian interventions and engagement with policymakers, adding that its next 50 years should be defined by institutional maturity, evidence-based advocacy and practical contributions to national development.
He urged political leaders to protect citizens, respect the Constitution, account for public resources and strengthen national institutions, saying the golden jubilee should mark the beginning of a renewed commitment to justice, responsible leadership and national development.
At the ceremony, Tinubu received the Christian Icon Award, while former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo received the Pillar of Faith Award.
Other awardees included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; and governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Seyi Makinde of Oyo states.
In her goodwill message, the First Lady described CAN’s 50 years of service to God and humanity as a milestone worthy of celebration, urging Christian denominations to sustain their unity.
She prayed that the various Christian blocs would continue to work together in faith and purpose.
The First Lady, who thanked CAN for the recognition, described the award as a call to greater service to God and humanity.
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