CAN @50: Church Leaders Call for Prophetic Governance, Protection of Vulnerable, and Cohesion at Jubilee Colloquium

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) convened its highly anticipated Jubilee Colloquium at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. Organized under the theme “Jubilee of Justice: Faith, Governance and the Pursuit of Common Good in Nigeria,” the summit marked a key highlight of CAN’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee celebrations.

The event brought together an assembly of church leaders, public intellectuals, civil society leaders, and ecumenical delegates to debate the role of faith institutions in confronting Nigeria’s socio-political, security, and governance challenges.

Delivering the opening address and the first paper on “Prophetic Voice and Accountability: The Church as Watchman in Governance,” the President of CAN, His Eminence, Archbishop (Dr.) Daniel C. Okoh, called for moral courage and objective civic vigilance among religious institutions.

“The church must remain sufficiently independent of political power to speak truth to power. We should commend government when it does what is right, cooperate where cooperation advances the common good, and challenge policies or actions that undermine justice, human dignity, constitutional order and citizen’s welfare”.

“As Christians, we cannot withdraw from society and complain about it’s condition. We must become part of the solution”
He added.

Speaking on “Justice for the Vulnerable: Faith Response to GBV and Human Rights in the Context of Insecurity,” Most Rev. Dr. Benebo Fubara-Manuel, immediate past National President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), addressed the burden borne by women, children, and marginalized groups amid pervasive insecurity. He urged religious organizations to provide practical protection mechanisms, legal support, and safe spaces for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“Religious leaders are very important in shaping a faith response to any form of injustice meted out to vulnerable people and populations”.

Presenting on “Common Good and National Cohesion: Faith, Citizenship and Nation Building,” Archbishop Dr. Musa Panti Filibus, National Bloc Leader of TEKAN/ECWA, stressed the necessity of rebuilding social trust in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. He advocated for equitable resource distribution, civic education, and constructive inter-faith engagement as prerequisites for stable nationhood.

“A nation anchored in inclusion and cohesion is better positioned to pursue broad-based transformation. This transformation begins with leadership that places responsibility above self-interest and understands public office as a trust to be excercised for the good of others.”

He also added that the Jubilee of the Christian Association of Nigeria invites us not simply to celebrate how far we have come, but to ask what kind of ecumenical witness the next chapter requires of us.”

Following the keynote addresses, a panel session featuring seasoned ecumenical leaders, legal experts, and human rights advocates engaged the audience in interactive discussion; giving indepth analysis of the already presented papers. Constituting the panel were Bishop Dr. Evans Onyemara, Dame Barr. Comfort Chigbue, Dr. Victor Ivoke (Moderator), Rev. Dr. Eches Divine, and Rev. Dr. James Movel.