By Achadu Gabriel Kaduna
New Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has called on religious leaders to unite to defend the rights of their followers.
He admitted that collective action is key to overcoming challenges confronting the faith community.
Rev. Hayab made the call when he received the leadership of the Christian Media Forum (CMF), led by its President, Comrade Jacob Onjewu Dickson, during a courtesy visit to his office on Monday, March 24.
According to him, religious freedom is fundamental while unity among faith leaders is essential to resist any form of oppression or discrimination.
“Our greatest strength is our ability to speak out against injustice. We are not fighting anyone; we are only protecting ourselves. The church is moving forward with overwhelming support from the youth, women, and leadership at various levels,” he noted.
Hayab said that divisive elements were constantly working to create discord among religious groups, urging Christian leaders to remain vigilant and work together to safeguard their rights.
“When we fight as a collective body, we secure our freedom. The enemy is cunning, always seeking to sow discord among us. Religious people must unite to resist any violation of their rights. That way, we will build a just society where everyone is respected,” he stressed.
Speaking on Hayab’s emergence as Northern CAN Chairman, the CAN Chairman of Kaduna State, Rev. Caleb Ma’ji, described it as a well-deserved victory for the Christian community.
“The decision to elect Hayab is based on his solid track record. He is a dogged fighter who does not seek personal gain but prioritizes the people’s welfare. He stands for truth and justice, even when it means standing alone,” Ma’ji noted.
The Kaduna CAN leader admitted that Hayab’s predecessor left behind significant gaps that need to be addressed, emphasizing that the new Chairman will require the full support of stakeholders to succeed.
“He will not be standing alone. All of us, along with the organizations we represent, will continue to pray for him and support his leadership. His success depends on our collective backing, and we will remain engaged to ensure that the voice of Christians in Kaduna and Northern Nigeria is heard,” Ma’ji assured.
Earlier, Comrade Dickson commended Hayab’s fearless leadership and commitment to upholding Christian values.
“We need bold and courageous men of God like Hayab, who can speak truth to power. With him at the helm, we anticipate significant transformation in Christendom. We look forward to working closely with CAN, particularly in capacity-building for Christian media professionals,” he stated.
Responding, Hayab reaffirmed his stance on religious freedom, insisting that CAN will not condone injustice.
He urged security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators of religious intolerance.
“CAN will not support anything wrong. Security agencies should arrest and charge anyone violating religious rights, allowing the law to take its full course,” he urged.
