2 weeks ago
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A gathering intended to foster dialog betwixt the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Presidency has resulted into a nationalist dispute, with CAN condemning the presidency implicit what it called a “completely false” and “grossly unfair” portrayal of its presumption connected the killings of Christians successful the country.
CAN accused the Presidency of twisting facts and misrepresenting its presumption connected the ongoing killings of Christians crossed the country, insisting that what is happening successful respective parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt amounts to a ‘Christian genocide’.
In a connection signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh connected Tuesday, CAN said that it did not, astatine immoderate point, disregard oregon picture the wide killings arsenic a ‘so-called Christian genocide’, arsenic claimed successful a property merchandise reportedly issued by Barr. Daniel Bwala, peculiar advisor to the President connected Media and Policy Communication.
According to the statement, the contention followed Bwala’s sojourn to the CAN Secretariat astatine the National Christian Centre, Abuja, connected Monday, during which helium sought to recognize CAN’s presumption connected remarks made by United States Senator Ted Cruz, who described the persistent killings of Christians successful Nigeria arsenic a ‘Christian genocide’.
“CAN made it wide that its presumption connected this contented has agelong been established and remains unchanged. Across galore parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities person suffered repeated, organised and brutal attacks which person near thousands dead, villages destroyed and families displaced.
“These are not isolated crimes but a continuing signifier of unit that has persisted for years without justness oregon closure,” the CAN President said.
The Christian relation expressed disappointment implicit the Presidency’s consequent merchandise titled ‘Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative successful Dialogue with CAN Leadership’.
CAN said the study falsely suggested that Archbishop Okoh had downplayed the killings by describing them arsenic a ‘so-called Christian genocide’.
“That portrayal is wholly mendacious and grossly unfair. The gathering was recorded by CAN’s media team, and astatine nary constituent did Archbishop Okoh usage specified words oregon explicit specified a view.
“Referring to the calamity arsenic a ‘so-called genocide’ trivialises the symptom of countless Christians who person mislaid loved ones, homes and places of worship successful targeted attacks,” Okoh said.
The Christian assemblage added that during the meeting, Bishop Mike Akpami, its Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, presented verified information from www.orfa.africa, showing accordant and targeted attacks connected Christians crossed respective regions of Africa, including Nigeria.
Those contiguous astatine the gathering included Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President; Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Panya Baba, Vice President; Apostle (Prof.) Samson Fatokun, General Secretary; Dean Rev. Emmanuel Nicodemus Ozumba, Director of Education, Women and Youth; Dame Comfort Otera Chigbue (Esq), Director of Legal and Public Affairs; Bishop Mike Akpami, Director of Planning, Research and Strategy; Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, Director of National Issues and Social Welfare; Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly, Secretary, North Central Zone; and Dr. Victor Ivoke, Senior Special Assistant to the CAN President.
For the avoidance of doubt, CAN clarified that Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams, Assistant General Secretary, and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared successful immoderate media reports, were not contiguous astatine the meeting.
“We telephone connected the Federal Government and information agencies to enactment with urgency, fairness and transparency to halt these killings and bring each perpetrators to justice.
“We besides impulse media professionals and authorities officials to talk with truth, empathy and responsibility, arsenic careless words tin deepen wounds and undermine peace,” helium said.
CAN reiterated that its committedness to bid does not mean soundlessness successful the look of injustice and that information indispensable ever usher engagement betwixt the Church, the State and the public.
English (US) ·