The outgoing Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ondo State chapter, Rev (Dr.) John Ayo Oladapo has appreciated all the stakeholders for their supports and cooperation since he assumed the leadership of the association 2016.
He made the commendation while speaking at the Media Parley organized by 2016-2022 Executive members of the Association in the State at CAN House, Alagbaka, Akure on Wednesday January 26th 2022.
Oladapo said: “On 28th of January this year will be exactly 6 years that I took over the leadership of CAN in Ondo State. On behalf of 2016-2022 EXCO members I want to appreciate all Christian leaders in the state for their supports.
“I came in as the 10th Chairman of CAN in Ondo State. When I came on board, we met a lot of challenges that call for attention. We faced those challenges and by the grace of God we have been able to change the narratives. I must confess, we enjoy the cooperation of Christian leaders.
When we came, it was the tradition to use the Church of the Chairman as meeting point, but I insisted that CAN should have Secretariat, though is a small place we believe the incoming EXCO members will do more.
He said that the leadership of CAN under his watch had intention to build phase two of the secretariat but for the constraint of car park saying that there is need to get more spacious place for the project.
He pointed out that measure has been put in place through the bye-law of CAN to check some lapses in the system, as part of the numerous achievements of the association under his leadership.
In the same way, he noted that CAN under his leadership commenced registration churches as a way to ascertain the number of churches under the control of CAN.
While appreciating the media Executives present at the meeting for their supports through quality reportage of CAN activities in the last six years, he also charged them to extend hands of fellowship to the incoming leaders of CAN in Ondo State.
Oladapo also used the medium to present Rev (Father) Anselm Ologunwa as the as incoming Chairman of CAN in the state saying that he is a competent man and that they had good working relationship in the last six years.
While answering question on why the roles Christian leaders are not being felt in Nigeria politics, Oladapo said because the country is a secular state and that no specific role given to Church constitutionally.
He also noted that many Nigerians that bear Christian names are not being influenced by faith they professed and that those Christians in politics often don’t listen to their Christian leaders rather their political fathers.
In his words: “Some of us who are known for truth telling are not being loved because of our stand; nevertheless we will continue to speak the truth till the second coming of Christ.
Oladapo officially handed over the instrument of office to his successor, Rev. Father Anselm Ologunwa at the present of many witnesses.
Also in his contribution Rev. Father Anselm Ologunwa stressed the need for schools to be returned to Mission as to enable the Churches inculcate values and culture of discipline into citizens of the country right from their tender age.
In a chat with journalists after the meeting Ologunwa promised to build on the quality foundation his predecessors laid for the CAN.
He also called on journalists in Ondo State to give their maximum supports for his administration that will commence in earnest on Saturday 28th of January 2022 because of their pivotal roles in the society.
As part of the highlight of the event was presentation of cash donations to some indigent pupils under the leadership of Ambassador Elizabeth Adegbuyi, Chairman of Education and Women Development.
Adegbuyi said the purpose of the donation was to help the beneficiaries meet some basic school needs like uniform and writing materials.