Buhari and Tinubu wished the new CAN President the best of tenure
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have congratulated Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church (Odozi-Obodo), on his election as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Okoh, who was born in Kano State, was elected CAN President on Monday.
President Buhari noted in a statement on Friday by his spokesman Femi Adesina that the election of Okoh by the Christian body is a testament to his devotion to the Church of God in the country and beyond, distinguished vocation as a Christian leader and abiding commitment in promoting ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue.
Acknowledging the role CAN plays in fostering religious unity and harmony, the President said he trusts that the incoming CAN leader will continue to provide the needed leadership for the Church.
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Buhari enthused on his interactions with CAN leadership as well as the counsel and spiritual contributions of Christian leaders to nation building by encouraging, advising, strengthening, correcting and criticising those in authority.
Buhari, while praying that the tenure of Archbishop Okoh, in this new phase of ministry, will be marked with success, also wished the outgoing President, Rev Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle the best in his spiritual and secular endeavours.
In similar vein, Tinubu has extended his goodwill to the new CAN President.
In a statement on Friday by his media adviser Tunde Rahman, Tinubu noted that the new CAN leader is a worthy successor to Ayokunle whose tenure as CAN president was one characterised by exceptional commitment, principle and wisdom.
Tinubu said: “I congratulate Rev. Okoh on his election as the new president of CAN. Noting that Rev. Okoh had truly distinguished himself as the deputy to Rev. Ayokunle.”
The APC leader declared that Nigeria can only expect nothing but inspired and enlightened leadership from Rev. Okoh.
Tinubu said, “CAN is one of the most important organisations in the nation. Not only does it seek the betterment of the Christian community in Nigeria, its moral force and standing benefit all Nigerians as we seek to establish a just and compassionate society where people of all faiths and beliefs live and work together in peace and harmony.
“As a nation, we are in a critical moment where misguided and terrible actors attempt to destroy social harmony and reign violence on us all. These awful forces seek to stoke religious and ethnic divisions in hope of pitting Nigerian brother against Nigerian brother.
“Decent and good Nigerians of all faiths must ally again such designs. While we may not agree on everything, all well-meaning Nigerians agree that we must live in peace, must respect and honor our diversity and eschew violence and hatred.
“We are grateful that CAN as an organization embodies these and other principles that reflect the values and virtues of Christ. We are glad that the new President of CAN, Rev. Okoh, is a humane and kind soul who has dedicated his life to the betterment of his fellow man and is a person who will work with leaders of other faiths and beliefs to anneal the bonds of unity, inter-religious understanding and tolerance while advocating for the benefits of democratic good governance for all Nigerians regardless of creed or belief systems.”
The former Lagos State governor said he hopes and prays that Okoh’s tenure would brighten every corner of the country.
Okoh is the general superintendent of Christ Holy Church, also known as Nation Builders (Odozi-Obodo).