14th June, 2018
The President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in addressing the incessant killing in the country.
The CAN president made the call in a goodwill message to Nigerian Muslim, signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media &Communications to the CAN President, on Thursday in Abuja.
He urged the Federal Government to use the security agencies to find a means of resolving rampant killings by Boko Haram, herdsmen and bandits.
“In celebrating the end of the Ramadan, CAN is hopeful that our political leaders at all levels will cease all discriminatory practices on the basis of religious, political or ethnic differences.
“Since Christianity and Islam preach unity, we earnestly pray that the Federal Government, through security agencies, will find means of resolving rampant killings by Boko Haram terrorists, criminal herdsmen and bandits,” he said.
Oladeji said the leadership of CAN rejoices with Nigerian Muslims over the successful completion of the Ramadan period which involved purification through fasting and seeking for blessings and forgiveness from the Almighty God, the creator of mankind.
“Ramadan, being the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is very important, considering the fact that it beckoned on Muslim faithful to eschew self-seeking personal goals and work assiduously towards developing spiritual growth through demonstration of kindness, forgiveness and generosity for all, irrespective of religious differences.
“The Ramadan is also a relevant period for the Muslim Ummah as it gives opportunity to the faithful to purify their souls in a bid to bring them closer to the Almighty God.
“After a successful completion of this obligation that is among the five pillars of Islam, we congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on successfully completing this all-important religious act,” he explained.
Oladeji said the leadership is convinced that the spirit of sacrifice which the Ramadan epitomises in the lives of Muslims would be demonstrated in the coming months through collaborating with non-Muslim faithful in the promotion of peace and harmony in the nation’s multi-cultural setting.
He expressed the commitment of CAN to collaborate with the leadership of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) to promote peaceful co-existence among adherents of the nation’s two major religions and to work towards ensuring unity, peace and progress of the country.
Oladeji said the CAN leadership has reiterated its irrevocable commitment to work with the leadership of the SCIA in promoting peaceful co-existence and to ensure the emergence of a just Nigerian society where justice and equity would become the bonds of its shared humanity, and where none is discriminated on the basis of its religion or social status.
He said CAN is optimistic that the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) would become more vibrant and effective as to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the myriad ills plaguing of the nation.
While appreciating the gesture of the government in resuscitating NIREC after many years of inactivity, he added that CAN looks forward to a more robust interaction for religious harmony.