Independence: Prosperity must be felt in every Nigerian home – CAN

By Anan Geolengs

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has congratulated Nigerians as the nation marks its 66th Independence Anniversary and called for new phase in which promise of prosperity translates into tangible improvements in lives of citizens.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

“We welcome shift from era of economic reforms to era of prosperity. But true test of progress is not in statistics alone. It is whether families can afford food, young people can find decent work, communities can live in safety and every child has fair opportunity to build future,” he said.

Okoh urged government to make lower food, transport and energy costs measurable priority.

He said Nigerians who had endured years of economic pressure deserved to begin seeing meaningful relief in their daily lives.

“Social protection must also reach those who need it most. Support for vulnerable families, education, healthcare and affordable credit should be strengthened, transparently administered and protected from diversion.

“Prosperity that does not reach ordinary Nigerian home remains incomplete,” he said.

CAN president said security must receive equal attention, adding that there could be no meaningful prosperity where citizens could not farm, trade, travel or sleep peacefully because of fear.

He urged sustained action to protect lives, secure communities and restore confidence across country.

Okoh said as 2027 political season approached, CAN reminded all political actors that no politician was Messiah.

“Christians are free to support or criticise any candidate, but name of Jesus Christ must not be dragged into partisan rivalry or used as political weapon.

“CAN remains committed to its role as non-partisan moral voice, commending what is right, speaking when citizens are hurting and holding leaders to values of justice, accountability and compassion,” he said.