Unedited Speech Of CAN President At The Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council Meeting Of The Association In Jos

REMARKS BY ARCHBISHOP DANIEL OKOH, PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN), AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FOURTH QUARTERLY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION AT CRISPAN HOTEL, JOS, PLATEAU STATE — NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Protocol.

Beloved in Christ,

Peace be unto you in the mighty name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It is with profound gratitude to Almighty God that I welcome you on behalf of the National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria to this solemn and significant gathering.

We thank God who, in His mercy, has brought us safely to the historic and courageous city of Jos— a city whose very soil bears the memory of deep anguish and resilient hope; a land that has wept bitterly, prayed fervently, and yet continues to rise with a steadfast faith that defies the darkness around it.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barrister Caleb Muftwang, for graciously hosting this final National Executive Council meeting of the year.

Though our earlier visit was interrupted by the painful passing of our beloved former CAN Chairman, the late Very Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo (may his soul continue to rest in the perfect peace), we thank God that He has granted us the grace to gather here at this moment of deep spiritual significance.

We remain grateful for the warmth, hospitality, and generosity shown to us since our arrival.

The enduring support of the Plateau State Government strengthens our collective resolve and bears witness to the long-standing bond between this administration and the Christian community.

We encourage His Excellency to continue in this path of service—not only to the Church, but to all the people of Plateau State—so that this blessed land may fully enter into the peace, stability, and prosperity ordained for it. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Plateau will rise again.

Distinguished leaders, our presence in Jos today is not accidental. It is intentional, purposeful, and deeply symbolic.

We are here as ambassadors of solidarity, compassion, and moral support. We are here to identify with our brothers and sisters across Plateau State and Northern Nigeria who have endured years of unspeakable tragedy—persecution, displacement, devastation, and unrelenting insecurity.

It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired: lives brutally cut short, at communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered.

CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria. As Scripture affirms: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, NLT).

In the recent past, I led a CAN delegation to Bokkos to meet with our displaced brethren, to listen to their stories, to pray with them, and to support them with relief.

The scars we saw were deep; yet, the faith we encountered was stronger still. Today, as we gather once again on this sacred soil, we bring with us the prayers, the compassion, and the unwavering solidarity of the entire Nigerian Christian family.

We declare with one united voice: You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you.

CAN has remained a principled, courageous, and consistent advocate for peace, justice, and national unity. Our calling demands that we speak—because silence in the face of injustice is not only irresponsible; it is unbiblical.

While we work for the wellbeing of all Nigerians, our immediate constituency—Christians who are being persecuted—remain at the center of our advocacy.

Whenever a Christian is afflicted, we are duty-bound to respond. This responsibility we shall never abdicate.

Across many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have experienced repeated, coordinated, and in many cases, clearly targeted attacks.

These horrors have left thousands of people dead, countless widowed and orphaned, and entire villages levelled without justice or closure. Victims have not been compensated, and perpetrators continue to evade accountability.

These unrelenting tragedies—killings, kidnappings, arson, destruction of churches, and the dislocation of indigenous communities—have now drawn urgent attention from the international community.

Although we are pained that Nigeria is being spotlighted for such grievous reasons, if international attention is what is required to spur decisive governmental action to protect lives and bring lasting peace, then we, the Christian community in Nigeria, welcome it.

Let me assure you: CAN will not relent.

We will continue to demand justice.

We will continue to call for accountability.

We will continue to defend the vulnerable.

We will continue to advocate for peace and unity in Nigeria.

We acknowledge the sacrifices of our security agencies and sympathize with the families of those who have lost their lives in service to the nation. Yet, despite these efforts, the killings, kidnappings, and mass displacements remain unabated.

Therefore, we renew our appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria—and to the international community—to act decisively and urgently to halt the senseless destruction of lives and displacement of indigenous people, particularly in Christian-dominated communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

No individual should ever be persecuted or killed on account of their faith. We further call on both federal and state governments to take immediate steps to resettle all internally displaced persons back to their ancestral homes.

Their prolonged stay in IDP camps is a painful indictment on our national conscience and a constant reminder that justice has been delayed. If not addressed, this humanitarian crisis may escalate into something far more devastating. God forbid!

Beloved, these challenging times demand sincerity, courage, unity, and wisdom from Christian leaders across Nigeria.

This is a season in which we must speak with one voice, stand shoulder to shoulder, and unite our strategies to confront an existential threat to our communities. Our strength lies in our unity.

Yet, even in the midst of grief, we remain a people of hope. Our God has not abandoned us. This darkness shall not overcome the light of Christ. I urge all leaders to remain steadfast, prayerful, and courageous.

Continue to strengthen the flock entrusted to your care. Continue to sow seeds of hope, even in the soil of sorrow. In God’s time, the dawn shall break, and His light will shine upon our land once again.

As we begin this meeting, let our deliberations be guided by the Holy Spirit. May every decision we take advance the unity of the Church, the healing of the wounded, and the peace of our nation.

I pray that the Sovereign Lord will guide our discussions and inspire our decisions. May the outcome of this gathering strengthen our fellowship, deepen the unity of the Body of Christ, and contribute to peace and justice for all Nigerians.

Thank you, and may God bless you all.

Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh

President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)