The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wants Nigerians to see the opportunity of Nigeria's forthcoming 50th Independence celebration as a period to renew their partnership with God, to bring about a better future.

CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor, who stated this yesterday in Abuja during a media briefing on the forthcoming national event, said though the country has managed to stay together in the last 50 years, the people have survived several calamities that have threatened their corporate existence.

Identifying the church as one of the segments of the society that has a pivotal role to play in harnessing the country's potentials to shape its future, Mr Oritsejafor said Christians "intend to continue to be active change agents, to allow the light they carry to shine brighter as never before", adding that one of his aspirations during his tenure would be to forge a new bond of peace and unity in the country.

He used the forum to invite Nigerians to a National Service of Praise and Thanksgiving on Sunday at the National Christian Centre, as part of programmes earmarked by the group for the celebrations.

"We need to dialogue with set goals. We are seriously working with our Muslim brothers to address the issue of religious crisis, particularly in the northern part of the country, which has resulted in needless deaths and destruction of properties. As we prepare to celebrate our 50th independence anniversary as a nation, there is need to thank God for the last 50 years, and to look forward to the next 50 years with great expectations," he declared.

Support for INEC

Describing jubilee as a divine arrangement from God, the CAN President said, "It is time for restoration and declaration of freedom to men and women; a celebration of hope. If jubilee must make sense, there must be a divine intervention, which will see God come in. Though there must be human effort, but God must be involved.

"Nigerians should hope for another opportunity to elect new leaders at this time of jubilee, who would carry the nation into a new dimension of leadership.

"We have had a number of leaders that are heartless and without conscience. Otherwise, if they have conscience, how would they drive around and the roads are as bad as they are and they go home to sleep well," he said.

Pledging the cooperation of the group to ensure hitch-free elections in 2011, he said he is looking forward to the enthronement of a government that would rule with transparency and accountability.

"I believe in the time of jubilee, because God will begin to move and bring conviction to their hearts, such that they would not be able to rest until they do the right thing," he said. "That is why CAN is saying to Nigerians: let's partner with God by taking advantage of the opportunity we have during the forthcoming elections to elect credible people. So, I see jubilee as a time for every Nigerian to have hope."

Source: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5624484-146/christian_leaders_see_hope_for_nigeria.csp