CAN president salutes Bello as Kogi governor lays Government House chapel foundation

- Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state continues to get accolades for kick-starting the process of building a chapel in Government House

- The governor is breaking the 28 years jinx of the non existence of a Christian worship centered within the facility

- The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) through its president, Reverend Dr. Samson Ayokunle has hailed the governor for his action

Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Monday, July 22, laid the foundation for the construction of a Government House Chapel breaking the 28 years jinx of the non existence of a Christian worship centered within the facility.

The foundation laying ceremony was witnessed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Reverend Dr. Samson Ayokunle who joined the governor and royal fathers at the event.

Governor Bello stated that building a chapel anywhere was although small project for a state government, but the fountain and origin of his excitement was from the significance of this project rather than its size or cost.

He said the facility won't just be a house of worship for Christians, but also a symbol of the access, welcome and inclusion which his government have worked to guarantee all Kogi citizens in its public institutions.

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The governor mentioned that around 2015 while he was still campaigning to be the state's chief executive, he and his team noticed the absence of a chapel in Government House even though a mosque for Muslim faithfuls had been built.

He stated that they resolved to do something about it if they get into power, pointing out that his then campaign manager, who was now his chief of staff, Hon.Edward Onoja, was particularly keen on such venture.

He pointed out that in Kogi state, strong components of Islam and Christianity have lived side by side since precolonial times and have cooperated in every area of life and endeavour.

The governor affirmed that his administration by the end of this week, would be rounding off her 3rd year and a half in Office, noting that if there was anything his government have worked hard to institutionalise, it was the 'One Kogi Principle.'

Governor Bello mentioned that there were 239 wards, 25 state constituencies, 21 local government areas, 9 federal constituencies and 3 senatorial districts, but only 1 state boasting that the rest of the world sees the people of Kogi state first before anything else, and the people must strive to see in the same way.

Governor Bello stated that it has been his philosophy of governance to affirm and forge all of Kogi’s plural strengths, all its diversities, into one united people and to do so effectively his government have had to consciously attack tribal distrust, break down religious divides and overcome class cleavages.

Governor Bello used the medium to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the latest bailout request of N30.8billion while he also thanked the Attah of Igala HRM Dr. Michael Ameh Oboni for leading the traditional leaders to the president to make the state’s case more strongly.

The president of the CAN in his remarks saluted the courage of the governor, stating that he was a pacesetter and a trailblazer for doing what other past administrations failed to do

He noted that his desires to maintain ethnic and religious unity was a God-given desire which has gone a long way to unite the state and the people.

Rev. Ayokunle pointed out that any country or state that ensures fair play, mutual respect and justice would enjoy tranquility thanking God that the Kogi state governor have caught such vision.

He noted that Governor Bello has gone into the history book as the first of his kind to do such and history would remember him for good.

The CAN president on the occasion thanked the governor for the numerous gestures which he has contributed immensely to the Christian faith which included operational funds and evangelism buses.

At the foundation laying the CAN president prayed that the proposed building would bring about goodness and progress for the state and blessings for the governor.

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Meanwhile, wife of the immediate past president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, Mrs Helen Oritsejafor, has said that Nigeria's challenges requires dialogue to address them.

Mrs Oritsejafor, the co-pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, stated that dialogue remains the most important thing necessary to bring peace to Nigeria.

She made the comment on Thursday, July 18 in Abuja at a press conference ahead of the signing tour of her recent book titled “Joyfully Together.”

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