Writing By Teddy Daniel; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
The Chairman of the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, says the adoption of a new identity by Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria is aimed at strengthening their regional voice without creating friction with the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Reverend Hayab stated this in Kaduna during a stakeholders’ meeting of CAN chairmen from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside their secretaries and representatives of the youth and women’s wings. The meeting, held between Wednesday and Thursday, marked his first anniversary in office.
He explained that the body, previously referred to as Northern CAN, has now formally unveiled the Forum of Northern Christians, also known as the Northern Christian Association, to avoid recurring misunderstandings about its relationship with the national structure.
“We are CAN. We are Christians and we remain members of CAN. But when we speak about issues affecting Christians in Northern Nigeria, we believe we should have a distinct and clear identity. There is no quarrel with the national body. Any contrary impression is a misunderstanding,” Reverend Joseph John Hayab said.
The Northern Chairman noted that the association’s roots date back to 1964 in Kaduna when it was known as the Northern Christian Association before evolving into the national Christian body in 1976.
According to him, the revived name restores that original identity while maintaining full allegiance to the national CAN under its President, Bishop Daniel Okoh.
Reverend Hayab said the word “Nigeria” was deliberately excluded from the revived name to show respect to the mother body and avoid confusion with the national structure, adding that the Forum has now been fully registered and incorporated as the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT, formerly known as Northern CAN.
He stated that the body would focus on challenges confronting Christians in the region, including concerns over religious freedom, access to education, shortage of Christian Religious Knowledge teachers, and limited admission opportunities for Christian children in some parts of the North.
“These are serious issues that demand focused attention. Our priority is to ensure our people are treated as equal citizens, respected and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to nation building, especially in Northern Nigeria,” Reverend Joseph John Hayab said.
Providing historical context, the first General Secretary of Northern CAN, Engineer Samuel Salifu, recalled that the Northern Christian Association was founded in 1964 in Kaduna and later metamorphosed into CAN in 1976 when Christian leaders nationwide agreed to operate under one umbrella.
“There was never a Northern CAN as a separate entity from CAN. There were Christians in the North organising themselves. To avoid confusion and unnecessary suspicion, the name has now been properly registered. We are together in CAN as one body,” Engineer Samuel Salifu said.
Also speaking, Reverend Emmanuel Dziggau described the 1964 formation of the Northern Christian Association as a struggle for survival by Christians in the region, urging the present leadership to remain focused on justice and equity.
In a virtual address, Professor Yusuf Turaki lamented prevailing insecurity across Northern Nigeria, noting that many Christian communities have faced kidnappings, displacement and destruction of livelihoods, and urged the Forum to continue advocating lawful and constitutional means to protect vulnerable communities.
Stakeholders at the meeting passed resolutions reaffirming loyalty to the national CAN leadership and pledging continued collaboration with the central body while maintaining a clearly defined regional structure
Reverend Hayab emphasised that the adoption of the Forum of Northern Christians, also known as the Northern Christian Association, is about clarity of purpose.
“This is not a time for debates over names. It is a time to respond to the suffering of our people and to stand for justice, equality and peaceful coexistence within the framework of the Nigerian Constitution,” Reverend Joseph John Hayab said.
