By Sam Eyoboka & Layinka Latona

ALMOST two weeks after the inauguration of the new president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo
 Oritsejafor, many eminent Nigerian political and religious leaders have continued to send in congratruatory messages to his offices.

The latest to arrive included those from the Delta Stare governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduagha, his Osun State counterpart, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the first deputy governor of Edo State, Rev. Peter Obadan, Member, House of Representatives,
Honourable Daniel Reyenieju, president/General Overseer of Bethel Ministries, Rev. Roselyn Gabriel-Oduyemi, Head of Mission, Gospel Church of Christ, Bishop Elijah Oterai and others.

One common feature of all the goodwill messages is that they acknowledged that Oritsejafor’s recent election as CAN president has come at a very critical period of the nation match to nationhood and the whole world is confronted with multi-faceted problems, noting that his performance as the president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, his passion for the people and his God-given endowments will put him in good stead to perform.

In his letter signed by himself, the Delta State governor who described Pastor Oritsejafor as ‘My Father In the Lord’, said the election did not come as a surprise “as I have followed with keen interest, your long enduring and enviable evangelical mission. Your role as a pastor and in other positions of enviable heioghts occupied by you in Christendom, are testimonies of your devotion to the Divine calling.”

Continuing, Gov. Uduaghan said: “No doubt, your sterling qualities and the solid contributions you have made towards the growth and development of the Christian faith in Nigeria and indeed globally have swayed the election in your favour. I implore you therefore, to see the present recognition and elevation as fresh challenge to inspire you to attain greater heights.”

The Osun State governor described Oritsekjafor’s election to “the much-coveted position of CAN president is a testimony to your undending resolve to contribute phemenally to the overall growth of our dear country, especially spiritually and socio-economically.

“I must, in a brotherly manner, enjoin you to regard your elevation as a call to greater service. This becomes very necessary in view of the need for all major stakeholders in the Nigeria Project to unite and collaborate for the sustainable and remarkable development of our country,” the governor stated, pledging the unflinching support and encouragement of his state government and the people of the state.

Hon. Reyenieju in his letter, prayed that his dispensation as CAN president will become a beacon of hope, peace, joy and love in the Christian community and its neighbourhood to further expand the frontiers of God’s kingdom on earth. “We wish you best of ad,ministration and people-inspiring leadership for the good and greater dreams of Delta State and Nigeria, and pledge our continued support for your worthy cause of re-engineering the behaviour of the people of Nigetria and abroad to being worthy humans,” he stated.

From Kaduna came a very emotioal letter. It was written by the Kaduna State CAN chairman and his secretary, Rev. Samuel Kraakevik Kujiyat and Rev. Joseph John Hayab respectively, who reminded the new CAN president that it took the collective effort of all the five blocks of CAN at the National level to “allow you to contest and go from there to win,” saying that in itself was testimony that God rules and overules in the affairs of men.

The twosome also congratulated the immediate past CAN president, Most Rev. John Onaiyekan for accepting the outcome of the elections and even going ahead to congratulate Pastor Oritsejafor to the admiration of all, saying that such a gesture amply demonstrated Christ-like maturity.

Delta State chapter of the Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, represented by chairman, Rt. Rev. P.I. Onekpe and General Secretary, Rev. E.E. Inyima, believes that the recent elevation was indeed an added responsibility to “your call as a servant of God. The Christian body in Nigeria looks forward to a purposeful and visionary leadership, even as you lead the body to higher level.”

The Warri cicuit of the Methodist Church Nigeria also expressed their warmest congratulations to new CAN president, saying the election was very timely in God’s agenda for His kingdom growth and expansion in Nigeria.

Other messages of goodwil came from acting General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Ebojie, the immediate past General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Wilson Badejo, the founder of Household of God Church, Rev Chris Okotie who said “promotion comes from the Lord. He will grant suffiecient grace for the task ahead so that Japheth may dwell in the tents of Shem. God blees you.”

PFN legal adviser, Pastor Femi Atoyebi, Plateau State PFN chairman, Rev. Alaha, his Gombe State cpounterpart, Rev. Akanmu, Osun State PFN boss, Rev. Z.O. Omotosho, Rivers State PFN chaitrman, Rev. Zilly Aggrey, Kwara State PFN chairman, Rev. Egbeniyi, Bishop N.E. Moses and former PFN chairman, Rev. Jeremiah Sara, prayed God to grant Pastor Oritsejafor wisdom and strength to bring a positive change to Nigeria.

To Rev. Moses Iloh, the recent election of Pastor Oritsejafor was a victory over the forces of darkness holding our nation back from advancement, while the administrative secretary of PFN, Pastor Oluwadare Akinola said the victory was well deserved and not accidental, because channelled gifts of God endowed in you powered by the organs in your body to serve the body of Christ selflessly. “WE pray that new grace shall be the foundation of your labour of love in this new assignment, as manisfests in good health, Divine wisdom, provision, favour and unparalled acceptability of your vision and leadership, by the entire Nigerian Christendom,” he said.

“Congratulations, Daddy on your elevation as the new CAN president,” says Bishop Oterai “it is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous indeed. I pray the Almighty God who has made it possible, grant you grace, wisdom and strength for the ardous work ahead of you in Jesus name.”

Rev. Gabriel-Oduyemi expressed confidence that God will use the new CAN president “to bring complete unity to the body of Christ in Nigeria and cause more souls to embrace Jesus Christ in Nigeria. What else can one say; it indeed your ‘2010—Season of Double Grace.”

The Apostolic Church, Mushin Area Superintendent,  Pastor Johnson Adetuyi called on the newly elected president of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor to embrace equality among his counterparts and  allow the fear and guidance of God in all his doings.

He made the call during the just concluded 19th Mushin Area Youth and Witnesses Convention of the church with the theme;
“You Are The Salt Of The Earth”

The man of God said the CAN president should not arrogate power to himself but always remember that the office is not perpetual, adding that as a Christian he should always have the masses in mind.

His words: “My own candid advice for the new CAN president is for him not to see himself as a servant of the people and he should come to the level of his counterparts because if he sees himself above anybody it will be difficult for him to achieve much.