Lagos CAN gets new helmsmen
By Clifford Ndujihe and Dickson Adeyanju
IT is a new dawn for the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). After four years of leadership crisis, a new executive committee was inducted yesterday at a colourful ceremony held at the Hoares Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba, Lagos.
The new exco led by Rev. Monsignor B.A Okodua was handed a three-year term with a mandate to reposition the association to play its role effectively in the polity.
Since 1999, the group had been without an elected executive council following a leadership dispute which was extended to the law courts.
The national body intervened two years ago and set up an interim body headed by Okodua.
Byelaws were later made, elections were held, which heralded the new beginning.
In his sermon at the induction, the National President of CAN, The Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola, urged Christians to re-examine themselves and align their conduct with their religious belief.
Lamenting the level of corruption in the country, he said: "Our religion would be a mere fashion and empty" if Christians do not put their faith in action.
Akinola said it was unbelievable that a nation that claims to be supernaturally religious could be ranked as the second most corrupt country in the world.
Said he: "The high level of corruption is unbelievable in a country that can boast of 60-70 million Christians. What is wrong with us What is wrong with our Christian lives We cannot deceive God. Why are we making nonsense of our laws in this country Our Christian faith is not reflecting on us as Nigerians."
Urging the leaders to halt the trend, he expressed hope that things were about to change for the better.
"Today is a new dawn in the life of Lagos State as those who have been elected are men and women of high integrity," he added.
Speaking at the event, Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos, who was represented by Chief Dele Ajomale, his commissioner for Special Duties, said the challenges before the leaders were arduous.
His words: "I am sure that the new executives are aware of the enormous challenges before them Over the years, CAN has come to be known as a vibrant and vocal organisation fighting evil in the society. It is an organisation with a lot of credibility. It is respected by the government and people in high places because it is made of up good Christians. The new leaders should be aware that there is work to be done. They must know that most of the societal evils are still to be tackled."
However, the governor, who made a pledge of N500,000 in support of the group, said he entertains no fear about the ability of the leaders to deliver.
Tinubu said the contributions of CAN to the development of Lagos, especially in the area of education, was part of the reasons he returned mission schools to their owners.
"I returned mission schools to the Missions because the state government cannot do it alone. We recognise the need to work together with Christian organisations such as CAN to improve the standard of education in the state," he said.
Thanking the association for co-existing in peace and harmony with other religious groups in the state, Tinubu urged CAN and other Christian organisations to work harder to improve the quality of education at all levels.
In a chat with The Guardian, Sir Thomas F. Adekoya (publicity secretary) said Christians in Lagos should look forward to a united CAN that would speak with one voice and doing its best to project Christianity.
Other members of the new team include Rev M.A Ekiran (vice chairman), Primate N.O Akindele (financial secretary), Rev. S.A Babatunde (treasurer), Apostle J.O Akinwusi (assistant financial secretary).
The rest are Bishop George Amu (secretary), Pastor D.K Verrals (assistant publicity secretary), The Ven. A.E Ademola (assistant secretary), Dr. A.Y Akitoye Braimoh (welfare officer), and Bro. John Omo-Ajayi (assistant welfare officer).
