The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar, and all Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in a statement on behalf of the entire Christian community in Nigeria, reminded all Muslims of the significance of the occasion, especially about the virtues of love, peace, good neighbourliness as emphasised by the Holy prophet.
“In times like this, all Nigerians irrespective of their affiliations must strive to promote good neighbourliness and the ability to rise above ethnic, religious and political sentiments to work for the collective good of the nation.
“I like to use this unique opportunities to call on all religious leaders especially in this period of celebrations, to preach peace and unity among Nigerians because both Islam and Christianity preach peace. As opinion leaders let us use our positions to influence positive disposition towards ending chaos in our country.
“The holy Prophet Mohammed lived and preached peace at all times, therefore, the acts perpetrated by some disgruntled Nigerians in the name of Islam are most condemnable and should be discouraged. No nation can achieve greatness in an atmosphere of crisis and unrest”, the statement read.
CAN joined the Muslim community to pray for the peace and unity of the nation and to commit Nigerian troops in the battle field in the hands of God so as to win the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor stated that it was his earnest belief that the nation would continue to grow from strength to strength and all faithful would use the instrumentality of religion to promote peaceful coexistence and development for Nigeria.
He reiterated that the collective will of the people would always prevail if they were united in prayers, in their contributions to national development and in their resolve to promote peace in their communities.
He urged all Nigerian people to imbibe the teachings of the holy books and to demonstrate true love in all their endeavours.
