Osinbajo Applauds CAN On Promotion Of Religious Tolerance

Posted by Eric Ojo Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Monday, September 27th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has commended the efforts of current and past leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in promoting religious tolerance in the country.

The Vice President made the commendation at the Dinner and Awards night organized in Abuja to mark the 45th anniversary of CAN, the foremost Christian body in Nigeria.

Prof. Osinbajo, who was honoured at the event, said CAN has not only been continually faithful to its founding vision, it has become a veritable force for peace, unity and social justice.

Pursuant to the gospel, according to him, CAN has consistently spoken up on behalf of the ‘least of these’ in our society, adding that the current and past leadership of the association have acted in full realization and recognition of their roles as pivotal stakeholders alongside the Government, private sector in nation-building.

“We are proud of the role of moral compass of society and interlocutor for peace among the different faiths that CAN has played and continues to play in our nation. We are also proud of the enormous work that the current executive of CAN, ably led by His Eminence, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has done.

“I am aware of your collaboration with the leadership of the Islamic and other faiths, to reconcile where there are conflicts, to pacify where there has been offence, and to reprimand where there have been misdeeds. Well done and congratulations”, he said.

He harped on the need to douse religious and ethnic tensions in the society, adding that as we have seen in the past few years not just in Nigeria but all over the world, there is a growing religious and ethnic chauvinism.

“An almost intemperate, vehement and often violent dismissal of the views of people of other persuasions without adequate consideration. At the same time there is the rise of identity and cultural politics. Brethren, the answer to hate, intolerance and conflict is the gospel of Jesus Christ”, he added.

The VP further noted that in pursuit of a more united and peaceful society, Christian groups and leaders of faith in Nigeria must preach fairness and equity at all times and be relentless advocates of freedom of worship, justice and the rule of law.

Prof. Osinbajo said fairness, equity and respect for the rights of others are fundamental to peace and security, hence Christian leaders at all levels must strive to promote those virtues despite the challenges.

“We must continue to let the important truth be known that Christ did not come to establish a religion or to condemn men, but to show all men that his own righteousness, not our righteousness or performance, is the qualification for eternal life.

“That the gospel commands consideration for the views of others, treating them as we would wish to be treated; non-violent communication, that our words must be words of grace seasoned with salt. We must, as an organisation and as individuals, remain constant and relentless advocates of freedom of worship, respect for human rights, fairness, justice and the rule of law”, he stressed.

He dedicated the award to “the many who, daily, in different locations, distant and near, propagate this message of the love and reconciliation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in sometimes difficult, even life-threatening situations. And to the many who have suffered deprivation, and the families of those who have lost their lives by reason of their belief”.

“I accept the award with great humility, being mindful that we are not necessarily the most deserving of Christians to be given any recognition. But that because of the special grace of God, by which we have been chosen to serve in the high capacities that we serve, we are in the advantageous position that our contributions will be more easily noticed”, he further stated.

On the call by CAN for the renovation of the National Christian Centre, Prof. Osinbajo gave a short presentation on renovation plan for the Centre, assuring that Christian groups and individuals would be mobilized to provide resources and complete the project.

CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, said the honour was in recognition of Prof. Osinbajo’s outstanding performance in public service over the past years, both at state and national levels.

“This Award of Excellence is conferred on you today in recognition of your invaluable contributions as an ideal Christian in the Nigerian political space and governance”, he added.

Other award recipients include former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Imo State Governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; several State governors; faith leaders, including past Presidents and General Secretary of CAN.

The Imam that saved the lives of over 200 Christians in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Abdullahi Abubakar, also received a special CAN recognition.