BY NONYE JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. John Joseph Hayab has called for religious tolerance among Nigerians.
Hayab made the call when the Christian Media Forum (CMF) paid a courtesy visit to his office on Monday in Kaduna.
Hayab called for actions against religious intolerance, adding that freedom of worship is fundamental human rights.
He said, “CAN will not support anything wrong. Security agencies should arrest and charge anyone violating religious rights, allowing the law to take its full course”.
Hayab urged security agencies to take actions against religious bigotry.
Hayab however, called on religious leaders to unite and defend the rights of their followers, saying that collective action is key to overcoming challenges confronting the faith community.
He said, “Our greatest strength is our ability to speak out against injustice. We are not fighting anyone; we are only protecting ourselves. The church is moving forward with overwhelming support from the youth, women, and leadership at various levels”.
“When we fight as a collective body, we secure our freedom. The enemy is cunning, always seeking to sow discord among us. Religious people must unite to resist any violation of their rights. That way, we will build a just society where everyone is respected”.
The CAN Chairman of Kaduna State, Rev. Caleb Ma’ji, described Hayab’s emergence as a well-deserved victory for the Christian community.
“The decision to elect Hayab is based on his solid track record. He is a dogged fighter who does not seek personal gain but prioritizes the people’s welfare. He stands for truth and justice, even when it means standing alone”.
“He will not be standing alone. All of us, along with the organizations we represent, will continue to pray for him and support his leadership. His success depends on our collective backing, and we will remain engaged to ensure that the voice of Christians in Kaduna and Northern Nigeria is heard,” Ma’ji assured.
Earlier, the National President, CMF Jacob Dickson, commended Hayab’s leadership and commitment to upholding Christian values.
“We need bold and courageous men of God like Hayab, who can speak truth to power. With him at the helm, we anticipate significant transformation in Christendom. We look forward to working closely with CAN, particularly in capacity-building for Christian media professionals”.
