Christian Association of Nigeria
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is an umbrella organisation containing numerous Christian denominations in Nigeria.
History
The Christian Association of Nigeria was founded in 1976, and originally only contained the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant groups. However, it later expanded to include Pentecostal churches as well.[1]
In 2000, the CAN protested the adoption of Sharia law in northern states.[2] In February 2006, while President of the organisation, Akinola issued a statement in response to Muslim violence against Christians, telling Muslims that they did not have a "monopoly on violence". The following day, Christians rioted in retaliation against Muslims, leading to more than 70 deaths.[3][4] Akinola later claimed his statements had been misinterpreted in the western media. He even threatened to resign in case the riots should continue.[5]
On May 2, 2004, more than 630 Muslims were killed in Yelwa, Nigeria. The dead were pinned white name tags identifying them as members of the CAN.[6] The massacre is known as the Yelwa massacre.
In September 2007, the organisation endorsed a social security plan put forth by Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.[7]
Organisation
The organisation is made up of five blocs; they are the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the aforementioned Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the Evangelical Fellowship of West Africa.[8]
The CAN has Women and Youth Wings, a National Executive Council consisting of 105 members (which elects the President), and a General Assembly of 304 members (which ratifies the President's election).[8]
Leadership
Dr. Supo Ayokunle, President (and Chief Executive Officer) of The Nigerian Baptist Convention, is the President and Prof. Joseph Otubu, of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, is Vice President.
Former presidents include
- Roman Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Cardinal John Onaiyekan
- Anglican prelate Peter Akinola
- Cardinal Archbishop of Lagos Anthony Olubumni Okogie
- Sunday Mbang, Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria.[9]
- Ayo Oritsejafor, Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church.
The Presidents
| Order | Term of Office | Tenure Served | Name | Place of Birth | Denomination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 1988 - November 1995 | 2 re-elected 1992 | Anthony Cardinal Okogie | Lagos, Nigeria | Roman Catholic | |
| 2 | November 1995 - November 2003 | 2 re-elected 1999 | His Eminence Dr. Sunday C. Mbang | Akwa Ibom,Nigeria | Methodist | |
| 3 | November 2003 - June 2007 | 1 | Most Revd. Peter Akinola | Ogun, Nigeria | Anglican | |
| 4 | June 2007 - July 2010 | 1 | Archbishop John Onaiyekan | Kabba,Nigeria | Roman Catholic | |
| 5 | July 2010 - July 2016 | 2 re-elected 2013 [10][11] | Ayo Oritsejafor | Warri, Nigeria | Pentecostal | |
| 6 | July 2016 - Present | incumbent | Dr. Supo Ayokunle | Oyo, Nigeria | Baptist |
References
- ^ "Pentecostalism in Nigeria". PewForum.org. Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Archived from the original on 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Minchakpu, Obed (2000). "Nigerian Churches will Challenge Islamic Law". Compass. Compass Direct News Service. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Christians kill Muslims following warning by Nigerian Archbishop". Ekklesia.co.uk. Ekklesia. 2006-02-23. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
- ^ "God's Country". The Atlantic. 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Reactions to violence in Nigeria: Archbishop Peter Akinola explains, Christianity Today
- ^ Eyewitness: Nigeria's 'town of death'
- ^ Olawale, Taiwo (2007-09-09). "Sultan, CAN Laud Govt Over Security Policy". This Day via allAfrica.com. Leaders & Company Limited. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
- ^ a b "Onaiyekan is new CAN president". CBCN.org. Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. 2007-06-19. Archived from the original on 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Pentecostalism in Nigeria". PewForum.org. Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Archived from the original on 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "'CAN Officers'". Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- ^ "CAN re-elects Oritsejafor as president. On July 10, 2013. He was first elected into the position in May 2010'". Vanguard News. 2014-10-28. Retrieved 2016-02-04.