The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged Nigerians to share responsibility for the country’s challenges, including insecurity, corruption and economic hardship, rather than placing the blame solely on political leaders.

The association called for collective repentance and a renewed commitment to national restoration, saying the Church and citizens must acknowledge their shortcomings and contribute to rebuilding the country.

Also read: Gombe governor mourns Bauchi official and four children

CAN Vice-President, Rev. Stephen Panya-Baba, made the call during a homily at a special thanksgiving service in Abuja over the weekend to mark the association’s 50th anniversary.

The event was held under the theme, “Working Together in Faith.”

“The truth, brethren, is that we all stand guilty before God as a Church. This, therefore, requires collective responsibility from all of us to do what is right and support our leaders in the difficult task of rehabilitating and restoring our beloved country,” he said.

Panya-Baba said the anniversary offered an opportunity for the Church to reflect on its journey, acknowledge its shortcomings and consider its responsibility for Nigeria’s peace, progress and prosperity.

“We have no other country we can call our own. Nigeria is our home, and we have no alternative but to work towards its restoration,” he declared.

Despite urging Nigerians to support national restoration efforts, the CAN vice-president stressed that the association must continue to hold the government accountable.

He said speaking truth to power did not mean that CAN should become an opposition party.

“CAN has a responsibility to speak truth to power on critical national issues, privately or publicly, as circumstances demand. However, it must never assume the role of an opposition party to the government,” he said.

Tracing the association’s origins, Panya-Baba recalled that Christian leaders met in Lagos in August 1976 at the instance of the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, and resolved to speak with one voice.

He attributed this historical account to Professor Yusuf Turaki.

He explained that CAN’s anniversary theme was drawn from the biblical call for unity in John 17:21, while its ecumenical philosophy is anchored on unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials and charity in all things.

Panya-Baba said the association had contributed to peacebuilding, the defence of religious freedom, national engagement and public discourse over the past five decades.

He also highlighted CAN’s support for victims of religious crises, its promotion of moral values and its efforts to encourage the participation of women and young people through Women in CAN and Youth in CAN.

However, he acknowledged that the association had faced several challenges, including leadership disputes, religious persecution, insecurity, interreligious tensions, financial constraints and public criticism.

Despite these difficulties, he urged members to remain united and committed to CAN’s mission.

He also appealed to members whose contributions might not receive recognition during the anniversary celebrations not to become discouraged.

“The journey is not over, and God keeps a much more perfect record,” he said.

The CAN vice-president paid tribute to past leaders and others who contributed to the association’s growth, while acknowledging the support of its national officers and state and local government structures.

Panya-Baba urged Nigerians to examine their individual and collective roles in the country’s difficulties, citing Proverbs 14:34 to emphasise the importance of righteousness, repentance and confronting wrongdoing.

He also called on CAN to mobilise Nigerians to pray for the country and seek God’s intervention while sustaining its advocacy for justice, equity and fairness, regardless of religion, ethnicity or region.

Also read: Gombe governor mourns Bauchi official and four children

He reiterated the need for citizens, the Church and political leaders to work towards Nigeria’s restoration through shared responsibility, unity and a commitment to doing what is right.