The Christian Association of Nigeria has been commended for her spiritual interventions which is said to have kept the nation afloat in the midst of the prevalent economic and other uncertainties.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State said this at the 2024 annual prayer summit of the state branch of the association.
The event was held on Friday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The Governor was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Governor, Echiegu decried the enormity of the hunger and economic hardship faced by Nigerians across every rank, stressing that the prayer of the church has remained a beam of hope.
He said: “The Governor said I should thank CAN very much for standing in the gap for us.
“For always interceding on behalf of the government at the appropriate time.
“This periodic prayer summit is very welcome, and that is why the Governor is always in support of CAN and has great respect for you.
“There’s a lot of suffering and problems in Nigeria, and everybody feels it, but I believe that with prayers such as this one organised by CAN, we are going to overcome them.”
Echiegu maintained that it was in order to cushion the effect of the hard times that Governor Nwifuru, from the inception of his administration, introduced several palliative measures, including grants and other forms of economic empowerment
He called on CAN to assist the governor in monitoring the implementation of the numerous palliative programmes and policies of the state government to ensure that they adequately serve the purpose they were meant for as well as get to the target beneficiaries.
He further called on CAN all over Nigeria to unite in love and prayers for the oneness of the country and the Church, in line with its slogan: “That all may be one.”
Speaking to newsmen, the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Scamb Chinedum Nwokolo, explained that the prayer summit was an annual event in the state, initiated in 1999, adding that the many years of struggle to have the state and the need to make God the centre of its general developmental process necessitated the initiative.
He observed that this year’s event was special because it brought together past leaders of CAN as a symbol of the unity of the body of Christ in moving the state forward.
Speaking on the theme of the summit: “Behold, I will do a new thing,” Nwokolo maintained that the desired change in the country can only be achieved by general recourse to God.
He saidL “Looking at the chequered political history of Nigeria, you will realise that the only thing that will give people hope, save the situation is only by people looking back to God through intercessory prayer and seeking the face of the Almighty God.
“It is in realisation of this that we organised this prayer so that Ebonyi State will find more favour in the sight of God economically, politically and religious wise.”
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The Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee and Chairman of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter, Most Rev. Godswill Omoke, appreciated God for the success of the summit.
In a brief exhortation, the guest preacher and South East CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, stressed that it was only through mutual obedience, love, fear of God and fervent prayers that the world can surmount the inherent political tension and crisis of our time.
Laying the background for the event, the state CAN Secretary, Rev. Fr. Joseph Origbo, described the gathering as a corporate holy duty of the Church aimed at invoking the power of God upon the state, the governor and all those with whom he bears the collective burden of the people.
Prayers were offered for the peace and unity of the state, the country and their leadership and for the unity of the Church, among others.
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