CAN Tasks Christians On Obnoxious Customs, Vices In Rivers Community

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Etche Chapter, has called for the unity of churches in order to fight some obnoxious customs and traditions, as well as vices such as land grabbing and kidnapping in the area.
CAN said this recently at the 2024 annual Etche Praise Day organised by the Association at Egbu in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The praise Day has as its theme “Let Glory come Down”.
Etche Chapter Chairman of CAN, Senior Apostle Succees Elemuwa, told newsmen during the service that some cultural practices in Etche need to be abolished for the kingdom to move forward.
He also said land grabbing kidnapping and other antisocial behaviours is taking Etche backward.
According to him, people are afraid to invest in Etche because of some of these practices.
He said for the area to withness a new lease of life, the Christians, irrespective of denomination, must unite in prayers for God to intervene in the affairs of Etche ethnic nationality.
Earlier in his welcome address, Elemuwa said the event was to thank God for his kindness, protection and grace towards the good people of Etche.
He particularly said Etche ethnic nationality is happy that for the first time since the creation of Rivers state, an Etche son is in the Senate.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to thank God for the last year, 2023, election that allowed us to occupy the Senate seat in Abuja that we have never tested before.
“Our prayer is that one day, one of us shall become the Governor of Rivers state”, he said.
He said CAN is also grateful that Etche is fully represented in the Federal House of Representatives and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Elemuwa listed the problem facing the Association to include lack of a bus for evangelism, standard musical instruments and funds for the development of three plots bought by the Association along the Egwi/Afara Road.
Also speaking, former Chairman of CAN Etche, Rev. Father Paul Iroulor. said the annual Etche Praise Day has attracted abundant blessings to Etche land.
He said CAN will continue to pray against harmful cultural practices in Etche land.
The cleric said the Association needs support to enable it properly evangelize the people, adding that once the people are properly evangelized, incidences of harmful cultural practices will be a thing of the past.
Also, Secretary of CAN, Etche, Apostle Anderson Njoku, said the people will continue to thank God for His divine protection .
In the same vein, Chairman, planning Committee for the event, Rev. Chaplain Uche Nkume, said CAN will continue to pray for the development of Etche land.
He said the people need to be properly sensitized against involvement in some obnoxious customs in the area.
Highlights of the event was the conferment of distinguished Awards on 27 spersonalities in the area.
The awards were in three categories: Philanthropic, Excellent Leadership, and Defenders of the Faith Awards.
Some of the awardees include: Evangelist Ndionye Collins, Dr Onu Austin Iroegbulam, Pastor Joseph Opurum, Professor Samuel Amadi, and Regina Elikee.

By; John Bibor