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Cleric Tasks New CAN Leader On Unity, Reforms …Urges Prayers For Wike
Against the backdrop of the controversies that dogged last week’s election of Rev. Samson Ayokunle of the Nigerian Baptist Convention as the new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a religious leader in Rivers State, has called for a review of the association’s constitution, pursuit of fiscal viability for CAN and the shielding of the body from hijack by money bags, if the association is to continue to be relevant to society.
The Supreme Head of Christ Healing Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Benjamin A. Obomanu made the call in an exclusive interview with The Tide yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Fathers’ Day celebration at the All Saints Christ Healing Church of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Parish, the religious leader noted that the rape of CAN constitution has become pervasive both at the state and national levels, saying the trend, if not immediately checked, could lead the body into the “unholy“ grip of moneybags.
Obomanu, who holds the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), noted that, of the five blocs that constitute CAN, three had produced the association’s President.
These, he said included the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN/CPFN), whose candidate, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s tenure ended last week.
Obonmanu said that in line with the CAN Constitution which provides for rotation of the presidency among the five blocs, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) and TEKAN/ECWA were the next blocs in line to produce the next CAN President, but noted that the constitutional provisions were breached in the election of Ayokunle, who hails from CCN.
Noting that money was gradually becoming influential in determining the leadership of the association, Obomanu said if the development was allowed to continue, it would adversely affect the unity of CAN.
He, therefore, called on Ayokunle to speedily move to mend the crack, in the CAN arising from his election while subsequently ensuring a review of the constitution to plug the loopholes that encouraged its rape.
The religious leader also charged the new CAN President to sustain the organisation’s faith in the secularity of the Nigerian State and its opposition to membership of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).
He also called on Onyekunle to make CAN financially viable without depending on government so as to remain uncompromised to criticize and provide government and society honest advice and spiritual guidance.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Benjamin Obomanu has called on Christians in Rivers State to continue to pray for the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to enable him to deliver the Ecumenical Centre, whose foundation stone he laid during the recent celebration of his government’s one year in office.
Obomanu, who expressed appreciation to the governor for fulfilling his campaign promise to Christians in the state, noted that it was the crystallisation of a project which the immediate past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Apostle Zilley Aggrey was passionate about.
“As the Director, National and State Issues and Social Welfare in that executive, I share the joy of that achievement”, he said.
The religious leader noted that the Ecumenical Centre would not only promote stronger unity among the five blocs of CAN in the state who are joint owners but will also yield revenue for CAN from the various services it would provide, including event halls.
“Christians in the state will be eternally grateful to Wike at the commissioning of the centre on completion”, Obomanu said.
Donald Mike-Jaja
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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