The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has honoured Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former Heads of State Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at its 50th anniversary celebration in Abuja.
The award ceremony and thanksgiving service, held on Saturday, recognised prominent Nigerians for their contributions to the Christian community and national development.
Tinubu received the Christian Icon Award, while Gowon, Obasanjo, Jonathan and Osinbajo were presented with the Pillar of Faith Award.
Other award recipients included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Benjamin Kalu; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady described the award as a call to greater service to God and humanity. She commended CAN for sustaining its mission over the past five decades and urged the association to strengthen unity and cooperation among Christian denominations.
Tinubu said the anniversary theme, “Walking Together in Faith,” highlighted the importance of unity among believers, citing John 17:21–22 and Ephesians 4:4–6 as biblical foundations for Christian togetherness.
She also thanked CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, for the recognition and prayed for continued cooperation among the association’s constituent groups.
In his anniversary address, Okoh described CAN’s 50-year journey as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the commitment of Christian leaders to establishing a common platform for addressing issues affecting the church and the country.
He said the association was founded in August 1976 by church leaders who recognised the need for a united Christian voice in Nigeria.
However, he acknowledged that CAN had faced challenges over the years, including mutual suspicion, prejudice and marginalisation among some Christian traditions. He said successive leaderships had worked to address these divisions and ensure equal rights and privileges for the association’s constituent groups.
The CAN president urged Christians to protect the unity achieved over the years and avoid actions capable of reopening old divisions, particularly inflammatory exchanges on social media.
He emphasised that CAN belonged to all Christians, not only its elected and appointed leaders, and called on believers to participate actively in its activities.
Reflecting on the association’s contributions to national affairs, Okoh said CAN had consistently addressed issues including religious freedom, justice, good governance, corruption, insecurity, humanitarian services and national development.
He challenged the church to make its voice more informed, courageous, evidence-based and constructive over the next 50 years.
According to him, the church must remain committed to defending justice, human dignity, democratic institutions, constitutionalism, religious freedom and the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
He specifically highlighted internally displaced persons, out-of-school children, unemployed youths, rural farmers unable to access their farmlands because of insecurity, women facing violence and victims of human trafficking as groups requiring sustained attention and advocacy.
“The church must speak!” Okoh declared, stressing that Christian faith should translate into practical compassion, public advocacy and service to humanity.
He, however, cautioned that the church’s engagement in public affairs must be guided by truth, credible evidence and responsible analysis rather than rumours or partisan interests.
Okoh advocated what he described as “critical collaboration” between the church and government, explaining that the church should support policies that advance the common good while challenging injustice and holding public officials accountable.
He also called for stronger institutional capacity in research, advocacy, humanitarian services and national engagement, adding that the church should contribute more to environmental protection, climate resilience, ethical technological development and the preservation of human dignity.
On national development, the CAN president said Nigeria had the human resources and resilient communities needed to overcome its challenges, but stressed that progress depended on responsible leadership, accountability and practical action.
He urged political leaders to protect citizens, respect the Constitution, account for public resources and strengthen national institutions. He also encouraged Christians to pray for the country and its leaders while contributing actively to nation-building.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde used the anniversary to urge Christians to participate more actively in politics, warning that political disengagement could weaken efforts to transform the country.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Makinde challenged the perception that politics was inherently dirty, arguing that it provided an avenue for believers to influence governance and contribute to solving national problems.
He cited biblical accounts involving Samuel, Eli’s sons and David to illustrate why Christians should not allow the conduct of political leaders or religious differences to discourage them from participating in public service.
“I will use this opportunity to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters all across the country to brace up and participate in the agenda to transform Nigeria, to reset our country,” Makinde said.
The governor identified poverty as one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, arguing that economic hardship should take priority over religious differences in national discourse.
“Our problem is actually not religious. Our problem in this country is poverty, grinding poverty,” he said.
Makinde called on political leaders and citizens to prioritise policies and actions that would reduce poverty, improve living conditions and support Nigeria’s development.
The golden jubilee celebration served both as a reflection on CAN’s achievements since its establishment in 1976 and as a renewed call for Christian unity, responsible public engagement and national development.