Press Release: CANAN Welcomes Obama’s Pledge To Help Stop Terror In Nigerian Churches

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Press Releases Friday, February 7th, 2014

This morning at the 62^nd National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton, President Barack Obama restated the resolve of the US government to support the Nigerian people in the ongoing effort to end terrorism.

“I’ve pledged our support to the people of Nigeria, who deserve to worship in their churches and mosques in peace, free from terror,” Obama said while advocating religious freedom around the world.

President Obama spoke few months after the State Department designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist organization, FTO. There have also been news reports that the US military will be training their Nigerian counterparts in the effort to properly combat terror groups in the country and in the West African region.

Terrorist groups like Boko Haram have continued in their brazen and despicable attacks aimed primarily against Nigerian Christians, but also against Moslems who oppose them, and government institutions and security outfits that seek to curb their violence.

Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN, welcomes the continued focus of the US government and the support of President Obama in this matter.

It is our hope and expectation that with the active support of the US government, including through the implementation of the FTO designation of the terror groups, Nigerian Christians and others would heave a huge sigh of relief from the brutal and ruthless violence that is being perpetrated by extreme Jihadists fundamentalists and terrorists.

We call for greater and increasing support from the US government especially in the area of going after terror king pins within the context of the FTO, and also supporting the ongoing operations of the Nigerian military to end the carnage in northeastern Nigeria.

Obama expressed concern that while faith sustains, “it’s also clear that around the world freedom of religion is under threat.”

Recalling his own personal experience the American President acknowledged that the Lord “directed my path to Chicago and my work with churches who were intent on breaking the cycle of poverty in hard-hit communities there. And I’m grateful not only because I was broke and the church fed me, but because it led to everything else. It led me to embrace Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It led me to Michelle — the love of my life — and it blessed us with two extraordinary daughters. It led me to public service. And the longer I serve, especially in moments of trial or doubt, the more thankful I am of God’s guiding hand.”

The National Prayer Breakfast which holds in the US Capital yearly every first Thursday in February has been attended by every president since Dwight Eisenhower. His wife, First Lady Michelle, the Vice President Joe Biden, members of both the Cabinet and the Congress, joined President Obama.

Pastor Laolu Akande

CANAN Executive Director

Laolu@cananusa.org