CAN vice president tasks Christians on integrity in public office

By Philomina Attah

The Vice-President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr Stephen Panya, has charged Christians in public office to demonstrate integrity, fairness and selfless leadership.

Panya gave the charge in Abuja at the dedication of his new book titled: “The God of Power, Politics and Governance,” and fundraising for the Christ Manifested Ministries (CMM) Orphanage, School and Retreat Centre Complex.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, held at the Holy Tabernacle Event Centre, CAN National Secretariat, Abuja, also featured the unveiling of the ministry’s vision.

Speaking on the essence of the book, the author said “the book is a call for Christians to maintain a distinct identity in governance.”

He said Christian identity in public office must reflect selfless leadership, justice and respect for humanity.

“Just maintain the identity that is referential to us. And what is that identity? Provide selfless leadership. Govern the people with fairness, respecting every person as God’s creation,” he said.

Panya said public office holders must reflect on the suffering of ordinary Nigerians and use their privileged positions to serve.

“Majority of public office holders have privileged personal benefits out there in society. Some people cannot guarantee the next meal in their homes. Their children are being sent out of school because they cannot afford.

“We must reflect over this in our offices and whichever position you may hold, elective or appointive,” he said.

The cleric said true Christianity must be seen in character and conduct, especially in service to the vulnerable.

“As Christians, God says, you did so many things out there for the less privileged, you did it for me because we’re all his children.

“We are being expected, and it will always be so, that as Christians, let us demonstrate that we are different, and that we respect every creation of God. Every human being is a child of God, and that is the bottom line,” he said.

He urged Christians to practice justice from the home to the national level.

“Show respect and try to be as just as you can from your home in the family to your local community, to your local government, your state and the nation, and indeed, humanity overall. If you do that, you will live well in any part of the world,” Panya added.

Also speaking on the orphanage project, he said it was motivated by faith and a desire to build an institution with a difference.

The cleric said taking care of orphans and widows was a sacred calling and not a favour.

On nation building, the cleric urged Nigerians to stop blaming leaders alone and join hands to salvage the country.

“We are all fallen, sinful, broken people living in a fallen, sinful, broken world. The present state of things in our country, we are all responsible one way or the other.

“We should stop blaming leaders alone. We should all join hands with our leaders in order to salvage the country,” he said.

The Guest Speaker, Rev. Yunusa Madu Jnr., said the book drew lessons from the biblical Daniel, who served in government without compromising his faith.

Madu, who expressed concern over the low reading culture among the youth, said the book would help correct corruption in the society if embraced.

The reviewer of the book and Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, said Daniel served under four kings because of his spirit of excellence and urged Nigeria to select leaders based on skills, not nepotism.

In his remarks, a former lawmaker, Sen Gbeni Gbefwi, said Christians must play politics according to the rules to dignify and sanitise the system.

“When I decided to go into politics, my prayer was let me be a Christian politician, not anyhow politician. As Christians we should play politics in a way that will dignify the system and yet will get results,” he said.

Similarly, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nasarawa State, Nuhu Angbazo, described the orphanage project as a nation-building initiative for the underprivileged and victims of violence. (NAN)