Kebbi CAN Offers Special Prayers for Tinubu, Gov. Idris, Commends Administration’s Inclusive Leadership
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kebbi State Chapter, on Saturday offered special prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, seeking divine intervention for the peace, progress, stability and prosperity of Nigeria and the state.
The prayer session, led by the State CAN Chairman, Bishop Ayuba Kanta Yafi, attracted Christian leaders and representatives from the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.
The gathering, held at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Birnin Kebbi, provided an opportunity for the Christian community to publicly express its support for the Tinubu administration and the Kebbi State Government, while also highlighting issues of religious harmony, inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at the event, Bishop Yafi commended Governor Nasir Idris for what he described as his “pragmatic leadership of all-inclusiveness,” saying the Christian community had recognised the administration’s efforts to promote religious harmony, freedom of worship and peaceful coexistence among the people of the state.
According to him, the significance of the gathering extended beyond the prayer session itself, as it marked, in his view, the first time since the creation of Kebbi State that Christians had been formally brought together and specially invited to pray for the leadership of both the state and the nation.
Bishop Yafi also commended Governor Idris for what he described as his administration’s support for the Christian community through various interventions.
He cited the provision of land and financial assistance for a Christian burial ground, support for the completion of the CAN Secretariat, assistance to Christian activities during festive periods, as well as empowerment programmes targeted at members of the community.
He equally acknowledged the contributions of the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Architect Sani Aliyu, whom he described as “a bridge builder” for his consistent interventions in religious matters and efforts to foster peaceful coexistence among the people of the state.
The CAN chairman further applauded Governor Idris for his administration’s development initiatives, particularly in the areas of security, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
While commending the government for its engagement with the Christian community, Bishop Yafi appealed to the state administration to sustain the relationship and give continued attention to issues affecting Christians, including religious instruction, worship centres, representation and other matters of concern to the community.
Responding, Governor Nasir Idris thanked the leadership and members of CAN for organising the prayer session and for expressing their goodwill towards his administration and President Tinubu.
The Governor said the prayers came at a critical time, expressing confidence that the intervention would contribute to the peace and progress of the state and the country.
He assured the gathering that his administration would continue to pursue policies and programmes aimed at promoting peace, security and development across Kebbi State, stressing that governance under his leadership would not be based on religious or ethnic considerations.
“My administration is committed to sustaining development across the state. We will continue to implement projects based on consultations with communities and stakeholders, because our objective is to improve the living conditions of our people,” Governor Idris said.
The Governor also identified security as one of the major priorities of his administration, revealing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently approved the deployment of an additional 1,000 soldiers to Kebbi State, with the troops to be stationed at strategic locations across the state.
Governor Idris, while expressing support for the President’s administration, said Kebbi State had benefited from the Federal Government’s interventions and therefore had strong reasons to support President Tinubu’s leadership.
“We in Kebbi State have no cause whatsoever not to support Mr. President because you have brought what others have not done for us,” he said.
The Governor further assured residents that his administration would continue to combine its development agenda with efforts to strengthen religious fairness, peaceful coexistence, inclusiveness and equal treatment for all citizens, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
The prayer session therefore served not only as a religious gathering but also as a platform for reinforcing the relationship between the Kebbi State Government and the Christian community, with both sides emphasising the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and inclusive governance in sustaining peace and development in the state.
Credit: New Telegraph
