The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is an umbrella organization that represents the interests of Christians in Nigeria.
CAN was established in 1976 and has its headquarters located in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. The Christian body has state chapters in all 36 states of Nigeria, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, with each state chapter having its own offices and leadership structure.
Additionally, CAN has local branches and units in various towns and cities across the country, where members gather for worship and other activities. The umbrella body is an association of Christian leaders from various denominations and its mission is to promote unity, peace and justice among Christians in Nigeria.
CAN has also been a strong voice in advocating for the rights of Christians and the protection of their interests in the country.
This post talks about CAN’s active involvement in promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different religious groups in Nigeria, its challenges and significant contributions to social, economic and political development of the country.
CAN has been actively involved in promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different religious groups in Nigeria. It has organized numerous interfaith dialogues and peace-building initiatives, which have helped to reduce religious tensions and conflicts in the country.
However, CAN has faced numerous challenges in Nigeria, particularly in relation to the issue of religious violence.
Nigeria has experienced a series of violent conflicts between Christians and Muslims in recent years, with many Christians accusing the government of not doing enough to protect them. CAN has been criticized by some for not doing enough to address the issue of violence and for being too focused on protecting the interests of Christians.
Despite these challenges, CAN remains an important organization in Nigeria and has made significant contributions to the social, economic, and political development of Nigeria over the years.
Below are some of its notable contributions:
- Provision of Social Services: CAN has established several social service institutions, including schools, hospitals and orphanages to provide much-needed services to the less privileged in society. These institutions have contributed significantly to the development of Nigeria’s social sector and have helped to improve the lives of many people in the country.
- Advocacy for Good Governance: CAN has been a strong voice in advocating for good governance and the protection of human rights in Nigeria. It has spoken out against corruption, human rights abuses and other forms of injustice and has pushed for accountability and transparency in government.
- Promotion of Education: CAN has played an important role in promoting education in Nigeria, particularly in the area of Christian education. It has established numerous Christian schools and colleges, which have contributed significantly to the development of Nigeria’s educational sector.
- Support for Entrepreneurship: CAN has also provided support for entrepreneurship and economic development in Nigeria. It has established microfinance institutions and other forms of support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which have helped to create jobs and promote economic growth in the country.
In summary, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has made significant contributions to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria through its promotion of religious tolerance, provision of social services, advocacy for good governance, promotion of education and support for entrepreneurship.