CAN@50: Church Must Speak Truth To Power, Defend Vulnerable Nigerians — Okoh

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has urged the Church to strengthen its prophetic voice by speaking truth to power, defending vulnerable Nigerians and demanding accountability from those entrusted with public office.

Okoh made the call on Saturday at the National Christian Centre in Abuja, while delivering his sermon at CAN’s 50th anniversary celebration, awards ceremony, and thanksgiving service.

He said the Church must remain a morally alert “watchman” over the nation, warning that its responsibility extends beyond spiritual matters to issues of justice, human dignity, democratic institutions, religious freedom, peace, accountability and the welfare of citizens.

According to him, CAN’s prophetic voice must be based on truth, credible evidence and responsible analysis rather than partisan interests or hostility towards government.

“The Church must speak. However, a responsible guard must be accurate. He should not raise alarm simply because he dislikes a policy or disagrees with a political leader.

“The Church’s spoken voice must therefore be truthful, informed, courageous, balanced and responsible,” Okoh said.

He said the relationship between the Church and government should be neither one of hostility nor of submission, but rather “critical collaboration”.

The CAN president explained that the Church should collaborate with government where necessary, commend good policies, challenge injustice and warn authorities whenever their actions undermine the common good, while maintaining its independence.

He urged the Church to pay particular attention to the plight of internally displaced persons, out-of-school children, unemployed youths, rural farmers denied access to their farmlands because of insecurity, women facing violence, victims of human trafficking and citizens unable to access legal representation.

Okoh said Christians could not claim to uphold the gospel while remaining indifferent to the suffering of vulnerable Nigerians.

“Faith must find practical expression in compassion, service and advocacy,” he said.

The CAN president also called for greater unity among Christian denominations, warning against using social media to deepen divisions within the Church.

He said CAN’s 50-year journey was a testimony to the possibility of Christian unity despite differences in traditions and practices.

Okoh traced the origin of CAN to August 1976, when church leaders recognised the need for a unified Christian platform to address issues of common interest.

He acknowledged that the association faced serious challenges in its early years, including mutual suspicion, prejudice, marginalisation and disagreements among different Christian traditions.

He, however, said successive CAN leaders gradually overcame the divisions and created space for wider participation.

“At fifty, all church traditions in Nigeria are fully represented in CAN through the five major blocks,” he said.

He described the unity achieved by CAN as one of its greatest testimonies, saying Nigeria remained unique in Africa for bringing diverse Christian traditions together under a single ecumenical platform.

The CAN president urged Christians to preserve the association’s history and pass it on to younger generations, warning that the sacrifices that produced the present unity should not be forgotten.

He said the next 50 years should witness a CAN that is “more informed, more courageous, increasingly evidence-based and constructive” in its engagement with national issues.

According to him, the association must strengthen its capacity to conduct research, engage government, advocate for citizens and contribute to national development.

He also called for greater Church involvement in environmental protection, climate resilience, ethical technological development and the protection of human dignity.

While acknowledging the challenges confronting Nigeria, Okoh expressed optimism about the country’s future, declaring that Nigeria would continue to rise.

“Nigeria has gifted people, good young people, resilient communities, talented professionals, entrepreneurs, committed public servants, civil society organisations and the Church, capable of significant social impact.

“Nigeria can be better, and Nigeria will be better,” he declared.

He, however, stressed that hope must be matched with responsibility, saying prayer must be accompanied by action, faith by integrity, leadership by accountability and freedom by responsibility.

Okoh also urged recipients of awards presented as part of the CAN@50 celebrations to regard the honours as a call to greater service rather than an end in themselves.

He called on Christians in both the public and private sectors to support CAN and contribute to its efforts to build a better Nigeria.

“The golden jubilee should be remembered not simply as a celebration of the past, but as the beginning of a renewed national mission,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to listen to citizens, protect the vulnerable, strengthen institutions and work collectively towards national development.

Okoh concluded by calling on the Church to pray for Nigeria and its leaders, speak for the country, serve the nation and promote healing and unity.

“Pray for Nigeria, pray for those in government. Speak for Nigeria, serve Nigeria, heal Nigeria,” he said.