Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, 19 Northern States and Abuja, has condemned in its totality the recent killings and religious radicalism at the Zamfara College of Education by some students of the Islamic faith.
They, therefore, called on government to ensure that Christian students at secondary and higher institutions in the North were given full protection from any form of molestation.
A Communique signed by the Chairman and Public Relations Officer, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam and Rev. John Joseph Hayab respectively at the end of the maiden Northern CAN delegates meeting held in Jos, resolved that Northern Governors as Chief Security Officers of their respective states should ensure that Christians in their states were not intimidated, molested or killed by religious fanatics under any guise.
They stated, “Northern CAN delegates at the meeting also expressed their reservation over the recent visit of the United States Secretary of State to Nigeria, John Kerry that excluded Christian leaders from meeting him, rather chose to make his first point-of-call Sokoto to meet the Sultan and select Northern Governors.
“The Christian Leaders in the north also called on the unemployed youths in the north to go into farming rather than, be waiting endlessly for white collar jobs that are unavailable.
“The Northern CAN delegates also called on the Federal Government to do all it can to bring lasting peace to north-east region to enable Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, return to their homes.
“They also condemned in strong terms under age marriages and abductions in some parts of the Northern States.
“The Northern CAN Leaders also frowned at ongoing land grabbing in some states of the north by some persons or group bent on causing crises in the north, advising government to halt activities of these group of persons.
“The Church leaders frown at cases of corruption at high and low places in the country, suggesting that those in position of authority should use their offices to better the lot of the people of Nigeria.”
The delegates agreed at the meeting that the Northern CAN would not pull out from the national body of CAN to form a different body.
They also resolved at the meeting that henceforth, neither the Chairman nor the Public Relations Officer of Northern CAN should speak or issue a statement on behalf of the body.
