The Chairman of the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, has said that the adoption of a new identity by Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria is intended to strengthen their regional voice without creating friction with the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Hayab made the disclosure in Kaduna at 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, held between Wednesday and Thursday to mark his first anniversary in office.
He explained that the body previously known 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 of CAN.
He stated that they remain Christians and members of CAN, noting that when speaking on issues affecting Christians in Northern Nigeria, they believe they should maintain a distinct and clear identity without any quarrel with the national body of CAN.
The chairman observed 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. He stressed that the revived name restores that original identity while maintaining full allegiance to the national CAN under its President, Bishop Daniel Okoh.
According to Hayab, “The word ‘Nigeria’ was deliberately excluded from the revived name to show respect to the mother body and avoid confusion with the national structure. The forum has now been fully registered and incorporated as the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT, formerly known as Northern CAN.”
He assured that the body would focus on challenges confronting Christians in the region, including concerns over religious freedom, access to education, the shortage of Christian Religious Knowledge teachers, and limited admission opportunities for Christian children in some parts of the North.
He explained that these are serious issues demanding focused attention, stating that their priority is to ensure their people are treated as equal citizens, respected and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to nation-building, particularly in northern Nigeria.
The first General Secretary of Northern CAN, Engineer Samuel Salifu, said 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.
He further explained that there was never a Northern CAN as a separate entity from CAN; rather, there were Christians in the North organising themselves. To avoid confusion and unnecessary suspicion, the name has now been properly registered.
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 the prevailing insecurity in Northern Nigeria, stating that many Christian communities have faced kidnappings, displacement and the destruction of their livelihoods. He 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.
Northern Christian leaders adopt new identity as ‘Northern Christian Association’
