In his drive to bring together prominent leaders of faith and drum more supports for his administration, the newly elected president of Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh has paid a courtesy visit to the president of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele.
The leaders of CAN were hosted at the International Secretariat of the Church in Bashorun, Ibadan on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
Archbishop Okoh who led a powerful team of the leaders of the association recalled the earlier position of the association not to support same faith presidential candidacy.
In a report made available to PTL News, the President of CAN said that the organization had made its decision on same faith ticket known more than two years before the political parties held their primaries.
“We are very proactive and very serious to sensitize Christians that there is nothing bad in engaging in politics, but we can’t be partisan as CAN. We have made our stand known on same faith ticket two years ago before party primaries. We are not in support of Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket,” Archbishop Okoh said.
Archbishop Okoh added that CAN has always been up and doing when it comes to guiding the Church; noting that even before his predecessor came into office, CAN had been having conversations with presidential candidates of political parties.
The CAN president also explained that the body had established political strategies department and the department has provided three C’s of capabilities, competence and capacity as criteria to look into critically in candidates to guide Christians in voting.
Pastor Oladele in his welcome address urged the ecumenical body to ensure a clear and pragmatic guide to the Church as the nation looks forward to 2023 elections.
Responding, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas appreciated God for sustaining the Church despite threats of the enemies. He noted that the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ that “I will build my Church, the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” is coming to reality in the midst of current happenings in the country.
Pastor Oladele who noted that it was a big burden to lead an association like CAN thanked God on behalf of his guest for making him assume office as CAN President, and prayed to God to make the burden lighter for him.
“God will grant you wisdom, knowledge and understanding,” he prayed.
Pastor Oladele also briefly stated the vision and mission of Christ Apostolic Church saying that the Church was a foremost Pentecostal Church in Nigeria and even in Africa as nobody can write the history of Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria without devoting large chunk of that work to CAC.
On the current political situation in the country, Pastor Oladele said the time had come for Christians in this country to consider the interest of the kingdom of God. “It is time we must demonstrate to the world that Christians in Nigeria can’t be taken for granted, adding that CAC will be guided by instruction given by CAN.
Earlier, Archbishop Okoh took the advantage of the visit to go down the memory lane as he recalled the long relationship that was existing between his denomination, the Christ Holy Church International, Onitsha and the Christ Apostolic Church.
He noted with excitement the mentoring of the his Church’s Founder, Evangelist (Mrs.) Agnes Amanye Okoh by CAC patriarchs like Apostle Ayo Babalola, Prophet David Olulana Babajide as well as former General Superintendent, Pastor J. A. Medaiyese.
He disclosed that both his denomination and Christ Apostolic Church were founding members of Organization of Africa Instituted Churches (OAIC) whose first Secretary General was Pastor S. B. Mala, a pastor from CAC.
He recalled that when CAC was going to join CPFN some leaders of the Church came to persuade the leaders of his denomination to follow suit, but they remained in (OAIC).
Notwithstanding the parting of ways, he said CAC remains a sister Church with which he must always relate.
His words, “CAC is now in CPFN, but CAN brought us together and that is why we must work together. We must be committed to making peaceful coexistence.
I’m here to present myself as the new President of CAN and ask for your support. We must be united to fight common enemy in Nigeria. We must make effort to diminish our differences and embrace what brings us together… We also solicit for your prayers”
Archbishop Okoh, who is the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International, Onitsha, emerged as the new CAN President, after getting a 100 per cent vote of all 259 delegates who participated in its 12th General Assembly. The Clergyman who succeeded Dr. Samson Supo Ayokunle formally assumed duty as CAN President in July this year.
The new CAN President, was at the Christ Apostolic Church General Secretariat with powerful delegation of the leaders of the association comprising the Assistant General Secretary, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu, CAN Treasurer, Pastor Samuel Okusanya, Oyo State CAN Chairman, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, Lagos State CAN Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Special Assistant to CAN President, Dr. Victor Ivoke, Ven. Emmanuel Nana and others.
They were warmly received by Pastor Samuel Oladele, and other top officers of the Church like the General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi, General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur, Babalolat Regional Superintendent, Pastor J.O. Ogunwuyi and many others.
Also in attendance were Superintendent of Yemetu DCC who is former Chairman of CAN Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin. Akanmu, CAC Sanngo DCC Superintendent, Pastor J.B. Agunbiade, DCC Superintendent of Agbala-ltura, Ibadan, Pastor A. O. Akinpelu, DCC Superintendent of Mokola DCC, Pastor M.K Oloruntoba, the Zonal Superintendent of Orisun-Ife Zone, Pastor J. Olu Makinwa, CAC Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, Special Assistant to CAC President, Pastor T.D. Asokej and many others.
Thanks for reading this. Please like it, comment and share this story. Also follow Julius Adegunna, and PTL News on our Social Media handles or call 234-8033260387, 8120969883. If you have been blessed by our website, you are free to bless us in return. Reach out to the Publisher for donations and supports. God bless you.
Leave a Reply