Saturday, 25 January 2020

TEXT OF A SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN), HIS EMINENCE, DR SAMSON AYOKUNLE AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE

TEXT OF A SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN), HIS EMINENCE, DR SAMSON AYOKUNLE AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON 23 JANUARY, 2020 AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE, ABUJA. 
Gentlemen of the Press. 
Let me call for a minute silence in honour of all those killed by the Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers in the country. 

"If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know exactly how it feels but if you have not, then you cannot possibly imagine it." 

― Lemony Snicket
You are all aware of the gruesome murder of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi, by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, because he refused to be converted to Islam. Although, the group initially demanded for the sum of N50m and, when against all odds, the ransom was ready, they asked for €2m. It was in the process that they reached out to our people in Adamawa State to notify them that since the gentleman had refused to be converted to Islam, they had decided to behead him. And that was what they did. In the same state, just last Sunday, a clergyman, Rev Denis Bagauri was murdered by unknown gunmen in his residence at Mayo Belwa of Adamawa State, all because he was a Christian. You are also aware of the beheading of 11 Christians by Islamic State in West Africa on Christmas Day of 2019 in Maiduguri including a bride to be. 

Few days ago, four seminarians of the Good Shepherd Catholic Seminary in Kakau, were kidnapped along Kaduna-Abuja Road and we have not heard anything about them. In Kaduna State, the most recent happenings were those of 35 people killed and abduction of 58 persons when bandits raided 10 communities in the Chikun and Birnin Gwari Local Government areas on January 13, 2020. These criminals are everywhere operating with impunity and they have been stopping commercial and private vehicles asking them to come down and telling them to say what their religion is. 

Whoever claims to be a Christian is either killed on the spot or abducted and a demand for a ransom issued. Police, Army officers and even judges are not exempted. This is reprehensible, unacceptable and unprecedented since Nigeria came into being. Christians have become endangered species in their own country! 

Nigeria is under a siege orchestrated by the murderous blood-thirsty and criminally- minded Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani terrorist herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers who are all armed to the teeth, dressed in army uniforms, and gradually overwhelming our security agencies. They have been going around invading predominantly Christian villages and towns, killing and maiming our youths and elders, men and women; raping our women and daughters, decapitating children and disembowelling pregnant women, and subjecting people to coldblooded murder.  

Although their atrocities did not begin today, it increased  with the advent of  of democracy, which gave birth to the Sharia Law in some Northern states, an outright violation of the 1999 Constitution. However, the attacks being witnessed under the current administration are unprecedented. Today, the killers are unleashing terror on selected Christian communities, while sometimes our security agencies appear to be looking elsewhere. It is usually after the evil has been done that our soldiers and policemen invade the communities and in many instances, the victims are locked up, while the criminals are left untouched.

From 1980-2019, the Stephanos  Foundation' record shows a total of 1,785 attacks in 32 states of the country. This led for the death of not less than 28, 878  innocent people.  In 121 Muslim-riots in 19 states, the death of 9, 451 lives were. Also, Boko Haram militant groups were responsible for 701 attacks that claimed 12,812 lives in 15 states. Again, 963 attacks from Fulani Militant groups in 32 states were responsible for 6,615 deaths.  

 The hoodlums have been in Southern Kaduna for years, where hundreds have been killed including a highly placed traditional ruler. And up till today, no one has been brought to book. Instead, it was those who cried out that were subjected to state harassment. A few suspects arrested were later freed to continue with their atrocities. The Fulani herdsmen were in Aghatu land in Benue State and other predominantly Christian communities; killing and maiming their victims.  Mass burials have become the order of the day and to add salt to the injury, it was the Federal Government that was justifying the killings of the citizens by accusing some governors of making laws against open grazing.  They claimed that the killings were not genocide against Christians but farmers- herders' clash. President Muhammadu Buhari has not ceased telling us that the criminals are coming from Libya, as though Nigeria shares borders with Libya. As if that were not enough, the Miyetti Allah the Fulani herdsmen have claimed responsibility for the killings and justifying their actions. In other instances, they disown the killers, telling us that there are other herdsmen who are not their members but who also register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The Federal Government has never deemed it fit to call them to order, but instead insisted that the herdsmen are stakeholders in the country! This emboldens them and their members who are always attacking predominantly Christian communities in Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba and few states in the South like Enugu.  As usual, none of these attackers has been brought to justice to end their atrocities with impunity.
These terrorists have not hidden their goal to Islamize Nigeria and that is what they have in common with the Fulani herdsmen. They have turned the North-East geo-political zone, especially, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, into killing fields. One of the cardinal programmes of this government is to put to an end the menace of insecurity and terrorism, but that has not been done. Although the government often claims to have defeated the terrorists, what we are seeing on daily basis contradicts that claim. Hundreds of our members, including Leah Sharibu and over 120 Chibok girls are still in the custody of these terrorists and the government has not succeeded in releasing them. 
 We are not disputing the fact that some Muslims have been killed. However we boldly state here that their primary targets are Christians. The only exceptions are those who are being killed by the bandits in the North-western states like Zamfara and Katsina. In the words of Carrie Jones, "Losing people you love affects you. It is buried inside of you and becomes this big, deep hole of ache. It doesn't magically go away, even when you stop officially mourning." 
 It is reprehensible and saddening that each time the government comes out to claim the defeat of the insurgency, more killings of our people are committed. In the light of the current developments and the circumstantial facts surrounding the prevailing upsurge of attacks against the church, it will be difficult for us to believe that the Federal Government under the present  administration is not colluding with the insurgents to exterminate Christians in Nigeria, bearing in mind the very questionable leadership of the security sector that has been skewed towards a religion and region! Is that lop-sidedness not a cover up for the operation of the insurgency? If not, why couldn't the well-equipped security agents of Nigeria get Rev Andimi out of the captivity of his killers who held him captive for two week.

Please permit me to ask the Federal government the following questions:

• What is the essence of SIM card registration if the authorities cannot use it to track down these killers who rely on phones as a mean of communications to do their criminalities?

• What has become of Intelligence gathering of our security agencies?

• Is this government and the security agencies still claiming that the war against these criminals been won despite all the killings?

• Is the government sincere in fighting these terrorists or merely paying lip service to the war against the insurgency?

• Is there any hope that our security is guaranteed under this government? 

• Can the government tell us what they did since Rev. Andimì cried out to them for help? 

• If the security agencies claim the terrorists are operating outside the country, why is it possible for these hoodlums to invade the country, kill, maim, burn and kidnap without any convincing checks on the part of the security agencies?

• Since the government and its apologists are claiming the killings have no religious undertones, why are the terrorists and herdsmen targeting the predominantly Christian communities and Christian leaders? 

• If the security agencies are not living up to the expectations of the government, why hasn't it overhauled them with a view of injecting new visionaries ones into the security system?
As long as the government continues to live in denial and fail to face the reality, these criminals will not stop their criminalities. We are almost losing hope in government's ability to protect Nigerians especially Christians who have become endangered species under its watch. We once again call on the International community and the developed world like the US, the UK, Germany, Israel and others to please come to our aid of Nigeria, especially, the Nigerian Church so that we might not be eliminated one by one.

OUR DEMANDS: 

• The President  should overhaul the security council with a view of bringing in new heads of all the security agencies and the para-military which no religion or part of the country will dominate. 

• The Federal government should either label the Miyetti Allah Fulani Association a terrorist organisation as being regarded in the terror index.

• The Federal Government should order the arrest of the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Groups in who are sponsoring and perpertuating the crime of Nigeria and prosecute them for all the killings in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states, among others. 

• The Federal Government should publish names of all kingpins of the terrorists who are in detention and those who are being prosecuted.

• The Federal Government should stop releasing the so-called repented terrorists since they are reportedly joining their colleagues in the forest to unleash terror on the land. 

• The Federal Government should reverse the recent controversial Police promotion with a view to balancing religious and ethnic divides in the country. 

• The Federal Government should stop sending delegation to all Islamic international organisations and let our Muslim counterparts be doing so as we are doing in all international Christian religious organisations. 

• The Federal Government should stop discriminating against our female Youth corps who refuse to wear the NYSC trousers for religious reasons since they allow their Muslim counterparts to wear hijab. 
• The victims of the consistent attacks should be assessed and adequately compensated. The victims in various IDPs be provided with adequate security and enough resources for continual survival. 
• It is painful and a betrayal to note that the government gives more attention to so called repentant terrorists than the victims of their evil with the claim that they are being reinstated and rehabilitated,   even into the Nigerian Army.  This is a major contradiction. 

OUR DECISIONS 

The CAN Leadership has declared Friday, 31st January to 2nd February, 2020 as days for Special Fasting and Prayer for Nigeria in all churches, home and abroad, for the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians to stop and for our government to develop capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation. Sunday 2nd February, 2020 is declared a Special Prayer Walk by Christians in all the States of the Federation in the form of a procession to be led by States CAN Chairmen in their CAN Secretariats and pastors of churches in all churches in Nigeria. Churches should process round their area, pray for God's permanent intervention and help from all over the world so that all of us might not be consumed one by one. It appears our government is completely overwhelmed. Brutality of Nigerians is happening unabated daily. 

All Bloc Leaders, Zonal and States Chairmen, Leaders of Denominations and all Christians and concerned Nigerians should support and come out en-mass for the program. 

The Church is matching on and the gate of hell shall not prevail against it!

Thursday, 16 January 2020

BUILDING STRONG SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

BUILDING STRONG 
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP.... The Indisputable Mandate 

The Lagos Central Baptist Conference focused on raising Kingdom People for Kingdom Projects and her leadership is built on structures around Men, Women and Youths with the support of the the Pastors and Deacons. All these organisations invest their strengths in church development, missions and evangelism.

The Men Missionary Union under the leadership of Deacon Femi Adebekun - a Director of Education with Lagos State Teaching Service Commission is waxing stronger. This year Leadership Training held at First Baptist Church, Festac Town, Lagos Nigeria on January 11, 2020.
Facilitators include, Rev. Dr Segun Musa, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Ahoyaya Town, Ibeju Lekki Ajah, Lagos Nigeria and Hon. Dr. Kayode Omiyale, Executive Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area of the Lagos State. Pastoral support was given by Rev. Dr. Victor Akerele Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Festac Town, Lagos Nigeria. 
Rev. Segun Musa,  emphasised that "Spiritual Leadership is different from Political leadership. It is a Servant Leadership " To him, "the noble work or task of a Spiritual Leader is missionary in nature- leading men and women to Christ and gathering them together to serve others. " 

Hon Kayode Omiyale submitted that "Time Management is good and can only be effective when a Leader utilises the four Ds of Time Management - Delete, Defer, Delegate and Do." His conclusion is that "time is the only factor of life that when spent can never be regained. Therefore, it must be used purposefully." 

The Conference MMU Chairman, Deacon Femi Adebekun believes that "Leadership is the ability to inspire and influence a group of people to achieve a common set goal. " To him,  "the leadership strengths or weaknesses determine the performance of the organisation " 

The body appreciated the presence and ecclesiastical commitment of the the Rev. Dr. Kehinde Babarinde, President Lagos Central  Baptist Conference. He rounded off the entire seminar, leading all men  to  commit themselves to S-S-L- building STRONG SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP with servanthood heart. They are called to be proactive, innovative and engage in creative initiatives through delegation and mentoring. The slogan for the seminar is S-S-L- building STRONG SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

Picture : Dn Femi Adebekun; Rev Dr Victor Akerele; Rev. Dr Kehinde Babarinde, Hon Kayode Omiyale and Rev. (Dr.) Segun Musa 

Tuesday, 7 January 2020

DISCIPLINED LEADERSHIP

DISCIPLINED LEADERSHIP will always produce a healthy church and a godly congregation as opposed to a bunch of crowd within holiness. The need for one's character to be the rider for the gospel can never be overemphasised. 

Dr OluSegun Adeleke is the Senior Pastor of Ikoyi Baptist Church Lagos 

Dr Akin Oyewopo is the Senior Pastor of Araromi Baptist Church, Moloney, Lagos 

Dr John Akinjide Adeyemo is the Senior Pastor of Victory Baptist Church, Ajah Lagos 

Rev Joshua Ojuwoni is the Senior Pastor First Baptist Church, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos 

Kehinde Babarinde is the Conference President, Lagos Central Baptist Conference 

Thursday, 2 January 2020

FORCED MARRIAGE, DENIED EDUCATION

"Our Girls Are Forced To Marry Muslims In The North"- CAN Cries Out

The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Joseph Hayab, has revealed the series of the persecution the Christian faith is subjected to in the northern part of the country.

He said Christian girls are being forcefully married off to Muslims and many of their brilliant children denied admission into higher institutions solely due to their religious confessions.

Hayab also lamented how Christians were being denied job placements across ministries and private organisations.

The Church Leader said a lot of his colleagues were afraid to speak against these maladies due to fear of the unknown.

He explained, "As a Christian and particular as Church leaders, you must be known with telling the truth of what is happening in the society so that the leadership of the country if it is a listening one will be able to amend itself to the reality of life.

"We have many of our young girls that have been forcefully married to Muslims and forcefully against their will being made to convert to different faith.

"Evidences abound in our higher institutions that our children cannot gain admission no matter their qualifications, or where they are given admission, they will not be given the course of their choice even if they have requisite qualifications to study such courses.

"In obtaining offer of appointment, the story is the same. A survey could be made to ascertain this allegations. One will be shocked to discover that what Christians are going through in the country especially in the north is far more than what we are crying for. The situation is so bad that we are looking unto God Almighty to arrest it for a better society where fairness and equity abound for all and sundry."

Hayab added, "As a Church, We must be seen standing and speaking for the truth in every situation because the Church of God in Nigeria is in pain. Those who love God and humanity must stand and speak out the truth every evil in the society. We should not fear man but God Almighty."

Wednesday, 9 October 2019

THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ALL AFRICAN BAPTIST MEN FELLOWSHIP 8th - 10th October, 2019

FRATERNAL GREETINGS FROM THE LAGOS BAPTIST CONFERENCES by Rev. Dr. O. KEHINDE BABARINDE PRESIDENT, LAGOS CENTRAL BAPTIST CONFERENCE 

The General Secretary AABF. Rev. Dr. Duro Ayanrinola, 
The President, The Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Adeniyi Ayokunle 
The VP, Ministerial 
Rev. Dr. Dickson Madogwe 
The VP Finance and Investment Dn. Abiodun Oloyede 

President, Baptist Men BWA Bro Ayo Badejo 
President, AABMF 
Dr. Dawari George
President, MMU, NBC 
Dn. Oyegbile my brother and friend 
The Chairman, Lagos West Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr. Tunji Bamigbose
The Speakers at this first International Conference (Lagos, 2019)
All Executive Members of AABF
President, Baptist Women Missionary Union of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Dns Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi and her team
The Vice Chancellor, Bowen University, Iwo Prof. Kayode Ogunwole 
All invited Dignitaries 
Ladies and gentlemen. 
Beloved brethren from all African Countries. 

I stand here  on behalf of and for the three Baptist Conferences in Lagos State to welcome you all to the first international conference of the All Africa Baptist Men's Fellowship, AABMF, holding in Lagos, Nigeria. This no doubt is an epoch event. 

Let me appreciate Rev. Dr. Israel Kristilere,  Chairman,  Local Organizing Committee for his tireless efforts. Indeed, the successful hosting guided by God's wisdom for your team members will remain appreciated

The agenda for this Congress is laudable, commendable and consistent  with evangelical tradition which we subscribe to as Baptist. One will encourage that we are realistic and considerate of and practical  as we  discuss mission efforts, networking and ways of pulling our collective resources to support the weak brethren in Africa and beyond. 

Let us do everything possible to make this conference to be both historic and landmark- by producing resolutions and recommendations that are workable in our African religious and cultural milieu.

For those visiting Lagos Nigeria for the first time, be well guided. A tour guard will be helpful

The Annual gathering of Nigerian Baptist Convention family is always refreshing . Lagos Baptist Conferences will host the 107TH edition of this Annual Session of the Nigerian Baptist Convention on the International Baptist Conference Centre Km 56, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way. Based on the need to learn from one another, you are invited to this unique fellowship. 


Once again, on behalf of the Conference Presidents and Lagos Baptist Conferences in Lagos, you are welcome. God bless your deliberations. 

Wednesday, 25 September 2019

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A RELATIONAL LEADER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A RELATIONAL LEADER

DR. KEHINDE BABARINDE is the President, Lagos Central Baptist Conference and a member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. He is a member of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria and Chairman, Education Management Board of Lagos State Baptist Conferences Schools. Babarinde holds B.Th.; M. Th from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso, and a Master of Philosophy (Christian Religious Studies ) from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos. . He completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary in.2007. 

Dr Babarinde is an Accredited Management Trainer of the Center for Management Development of the Federal Government of Nigeria.  He is the Visioner and Lead Trainer Maximum Output Training Centre, Jakande Estate
Oke Afa, Lagos. He developed himself in Preaching at Olford Preaching Centre Memphis Tennesse, USA recently. He once served as a Member of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board of Lagos State and a Member of Interfaith Committee of the state. 

Dr. Babarinde is a Relationship Advisor, an Ecumenist and Pastoral Leader with many mentees. He has published articles in journals and three books in the area of Interpersonal Relationship, Ecumenism and Pastoral leadership. 

Babarinde is married to Rev Mrs Kemi Babarinde a Lecturer at the Baptist College of Theology,Lagos. The marriage is blessed with Samuel, Comfort and Rachel.

The entire Lagos State Baptist family, Lagos Baptist Conferences Schools, Christian Council of Nigeria, Lagos State, Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State, and in Particular, Lagos Central Baptist Conference rise to celebrate this man on the occasion of his birthday September 26.
Happy Birthday 
God bless you awesomely and always 

Tuesday, 18 June 2019

AYOKUNLE RE-ELECTED

AYOKUNLE RE-ELECTED 

Breaking: Ayokunle re-elected CAN President

National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), and His Eminence Rev Dr Supo Ayokunle, has been re-elected for another three-year term.
He won few minutes ago during the exercise with 59 votes.
His main challenger, Rev Dr Caleb Ahima got 44 votes.


Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Adeniyi Ayokunle, simply known as Supo Ayokunle was born on January 25, 1957 to the family of the late Mr. Amos Ogunkunle and late Mrs. Theresa Bibilari Ogunkunle of Jagun Alawusa House, Isheke, Oyo Town in Oyo State

He has his first degree of Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the premier university, the University of Ibadan in 1983. He also had a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Guidance and Counselling from the same university. Dr. Ayokunle equally bagged a Master of Divinity in Theology (M.Div Th) from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso in 1995 before proceeding to the United Kingdom to obtain a Master of Arts (MA) in Theology and Religious Studies from Liverpool Hope University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology with emphasis on liturgical studies.

He has taught before in secondary schools in Plateau and Oyo States and served for some years at the Federal Civil Service Commission, Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, Lagos as a Senior Public Administrator before God called him into the full gospel ministry. Apart from being a village evangelist, he has equally served as pastor of Estate Baptist Church, Ogbomoso Road, Oyo. He also served as the senior pastor of Jubilee-Life Baptist Church for sixteen years before he was elected the 6th Nigerian General Secretary (now President/CEO) of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. To cap it all, God graciously elevated him as the 7th President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the largest Christian ecumenical body in Africa!

He is a man of the Spirit, a trained pastor, an astute counselor and a versatile administrator. A seasoned tele-evangelist whose sermons especially on the New Frontiers, a cable television station owned by his denomination, are continuing to bless many souls. He edited Effective Leadership in the Twenty-first Century, the fruit of The Life Builders Conference he convened.

He is the author of several inspirational books which include Major Keys for a Successful Christian Marriage and the Family, Weapons for Winning your Battles and Fighting to Win, Managing the Complexities of Change in a Long-Established Christian Organization; Integrity: Key to Success in Leadershipand Overcoming the Challenges of Life through Christ.