Friday, October 2, 2026 - The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to prioritise reductions in the cost of food, transportation and energy as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
It also asked the government to strengthen social protection
and improve security, saying the benefits of economic reforms must translate
into better living conditions for citizens.
CAN said Nigerians who had endured years of economic
pressure deserved to begin experiencing meaningful relief in their daily lives.
The association made the call in a statement signed by its
President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Thursday.
CAN said that while it welcomed the transition from economic
reforms to an era of prosperity, the success of the reforms should be measured
by their impact on ordinary Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu had, during his broadcast to Nigerians
to mark the Independence Day anniversary, on Thursday, declared that Nigeria is
now in the era of prosperity, having endured the tortuous reforms.
Speaking on the development, CAN said, “We welcome the shift
from an era of economic reforms to an era of prosperity. But the true test of
progress is not in statistics alone. It is whether families can afford food,
young people can find decent work, communities can live in safety, and every
child has a fair opportunity to build a future.”
The Christian body urged the government to “make lower food,
transport and energy costs a measurable priority.”
“Nigerians who have endured years of economic pressure
deserve to begin seeing meaningful relief in their daily lives,” CAN added.
Archbishop Okoh also called for stronger social protection
for vulnerable Nigerians, including support for education, healthcare and
affordable credit.
According to the association, such interventions must be
transparently administered and protected from diversion.
“Prosperity that does not reach the ordinary Nigerian home
remains incomplete,” CAN said.
On insecurity, the CAN President said economic prosperity
would remain difficult to achieve where citizens “cannot farm, trade, travel or
sleep peacefully because of fear.”
He, therefore, urged the government to sustain efforts to
protect lives, secure communities and restore confidence across the country.
With the 2027 political season approaching, the association
also cautioned politicians against exploiting religion for partisan purposes.
“CAN again reminds all political actors that no politician
is the Messiah,” it said, adding that Christians were free to support or
criticise any candidate.
The association warned against dragging the name of Jesus
Christ into partisan rivalry or using it as a political weapon.
CAN reaffirmed its commitment to its role as a non-partisan
moral voice, saying it would continue to commend what is right, speak when
citizens are hurting and hold leaders to the values of justice, accountability
and compassion.
The association congratulated Nigerians on the 66th
Independence anniversary and called for a new phase in which the promise of
prosperity would translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
Meanwhile, the Borno State CAN chairman, Most Revd John
Bakeni, has said religious leaders are part of Nigeria’s problem since
independence, warning that the failure of pastors and Imams to speak truth to
power may continue to hinder the nation’s development.
Bakeni stated this in Maiduguri at an Independence Day
celebration event organised as part of activities to commemorate “CAN at 50.”
Addressing newsmen shortly after the event, he said many
religious leaders had exchanged their religious garments for political
garments, warning that such a trend could affect the general well-being of
society.
He said, “Sorry to say this; in some cases, we are part of
the problem of Nigeria. Many of us religious leaders today, both Christian and
Muslim leaders, have removed our garments of ordination and put on political
garments.”
The cleric said religious leaders must see themselves as
vanguards of truth who bear the responsibility of speaking out when things are
going wrong in society.
“Whether as imams or as bishops, we are vanguards of truth
and justice. When we see things going the wrong way, it is a moral obligation
on our shoulders to speak to those in authority, especially those who make our
policies and laws, to call their attention to these realities, so that the
common good will be sustained and the resources of the land will be distributed
equitably to all citizens,” he said.
Bakeni noted that this year’s Independence Day anniversary
presented a sober celebration, following the severe hardship and insecurity in
the country.
He called on the government to make policies that would
alleviate the suffering and the hardship of the Nigerian people.
“There is no need being in place as a government if your
subjects are going to face hardship and poverty. We have the resources and
wealth to cater for our people, but the problem is the management,” he
stressed.
On the 2027 elections, the CAN Chairman urged Nigerians to
vote for candidates based on their personal assessment without waiting for
anyone to direct them on who to vote for.
“We have tested them (politicians), so you don’t need
anybody to tell you who to elect.
“You have the strongest weapon, which is your voters card in
your hands as citizens, and that is what you should use to bring in leaders who
will deliver the dividends of democracy and ensure that citizens live worthy
lives,” he stated.
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