CAN Declares January 21 As Annual National Prayer Day For ‘Persecuted’ Christians

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the 21st January of every year is now termed  ‘CAN National Day of Prayers for the persecuted Christians in Nigeria’.

CAN said that the directive was to commemorate the late CAN Chairman in Michika Local Government of Adamawa State, Rev Lawan Andimi, and other victims of terror and herdsmen attacks. 

According to the statement, January 21, 2020, was the day Rev Andimi was killed by the Boko Haram terrorists after his refusal to convert to Islam as demanded by his captors, hence, it was a day chosen in his honour.

The CAN President, Samson Ayokunle urged all Christians as well as denominational leaders in the nation to mark the date as a day of memorial.

THE WHISTLER reported that CAN had expressed dissatisfaction at the killings in the country, urging the government to overhaul its security infrastructure.

The statement reads in part:

“The decision was taken today Friday at its just concluded meeting of the National Executive Committee held at its National Secretariat in Abuja where they also confirmed Barrister Joseph Daramola as the substantive General Secretary and Elder Biodun Sanyaolu as the Assistant General Secretary of CAN. 

“Daramola has been the acting General Secretary of the Association since the demise of the immediate past General Secretary, Rev Dr Musa Asake, after a brief illness. 

“Other officers confirmed at the meeting were Pastor Okusanya Samuel Oludare (National Treasurer), Rev Gideon Shagba (Director, Ecumenism and Inter-Faith), Barrister Comfort O. Chigbue (Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Rt. Rev Stephen Adegbite (Director, National Issues and Social Welfare), Pastor (Barrister) Omonuwa Ogiemudia (Director, Education, Youth & Women Development) and Bishop Dr RBC Nwankwo (Planning, Research and Strategy).”