Religion Must Be Bridge, Not Weapon,Ododo Tells Christians At CAN Golden Jubilee
By Faith Adikeh
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has urged Christian leaders in the state not to use the pulpit to divide Kogi along ethnic, political or religious lines.
Governor Ododo made the appeal on Saturday in Lokoja at the 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving, Concert and Award Presentation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi State Branch.
Governor Ododo congratulated CAN for 50 years of faith, fellowship and service to humanity.
According to him, the greatness of a society is not measured by wealth or infrastructure alone, but by the values it upholds and the unity it sustains.
He said the theme of the anniversary “The Glory of Worshipping Together in Faith” drawn from Acts 2:11 is a reminder that Kogi’s strength lies in worshipping together and living in peace.
Ododo called on religious leaders to continue to pray for Nigeria and Kogi State, for peace in communities, wisdom for leaders and prosperity for the people.
“Religion must never become a weapon of division; it must remain a bridge of unity,” the Governor said.
Speaking on politics, Ododo said the Church cannot be isolated from economic realities because decisions about leadership affect cost of living, security, jobs and education.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown leadership at a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and deserves support for his reform agenda to build a stronger economy.
On the 2027 general elections, the Governor said the polls will be consequential for Nigeria’s future and urged religious leaders to encourage responsible participation and issue-based engagement.
“Nobody should abuse the privilege of standing before a congregation to preach division or manipulate the faith of worshippers for political purposes. We may belong to different political parties, but we belong to one Kogi State,” he said.
He stressed that the pulpit is sacred and must be used for reconciliation, moral instruction and peaceful coexistence, not for political manipulation.
The Governor also charged the Church to help shape the character of young people by teaching them honesty, discipline, compassion, hard work and selflessness.
He praised CAN for its contributions to education, healthcare, humanitarian services and peace building in Kogi State and assured that his administration will continue to partner with religious bodies to drive his Confluence of Opportunities agenda.
He congratulated the leadership of CAN, the planning committee and all award recipients and prayed for a united Church, a peaceful Kogi State and a prosperous Nigeria.
Happy 50th Anniversary to CAN Kogi State, he added
Earlier, the CAN Kogi State Chairman, Special Apostle Pastor Dr Adebayo Emmanuel Olaniyan, described the Golden Jubilee as a celebration of 50 years of unity, togetherness and worshipping God in one accord
He highlighted the ongoing construction of the Kogi State CAN Ecumenical Centre at Phase II, along Olu Royal Hotel, Lokoja, as one of the major legacy projects of the anniversary.
The CAN chairman also commended Governor Ododo for the state government’s financial support to the association, efforts to maintain peace and tackle crime, and ongoing developmental initiatives across Kogi State.
He acknowledged the contributions of former CAN state chairmen, particularly Bishop Dr Dada Olorunmolu, Bishop Dr Emmanuel Egbunu and Bishop Dr John Ibenu, to the development of the association’s former secretariat. As the association marked its Golden Jubilee, the celebration renewed calls for stronger collaboration between government and religious institutions in building a state where peace, unity, faith and service to humanity remain enduring values.
