Lokoja
As politicians begin alignment and realignment in earnest for 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the
Presidentt, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence Rev. Dr Samson Supo Ayokunle has urged leaders at all levels to ensure justice and fairness for all, irrespective of affiliations, beliefs or differences.
Ayokunle made the call on Monday 
at the inauguration and dedication of Government House Chapel, Lokoja, known as ”Chapel of Peace and Unity”, built by Governor Yahaya Bello, after 28 years of creation of the state.
The Reporters recalls that the ground breaking event of the Chapel, was performed on July 22, 2019 by CAN President and completed December same year.
The CAN President commended the governor for his goodwill and courage to break the jinx of 28 years noting that all his predecessors could not build a church at the Government House, Lokoja.
The religious leader said that the governor and his deputy, Chief Edward Onja had done “what is called, ‘Justice in leadership for the good of all’, to ensure justice, fairness and mutual respect.”
The CAN boss louded the governor for the opportunity of being invited to dedicate the historic chapel, saying ”it is a chapel of justice”.
He added,”Your Excellency, your generation shall forever be blessed for standing for justice, inclusiveness, fairness and equity for all; may God bless you. Thank you for allowing God to use you to stand for justice.”
Ayokunle enjoined other governors and the Federal Government to emulate what Bello had done in Kogi,” in terms of good governance, equity, fairness and justice.”
”If we deliberately do justice, there would be peace and tranquility; in the atmosphere of justice, peace will definitely reign.
”We need justice, fairness and mutual respect in all aspect of our lives, if Nigeria is going to be one,”the cleric said.
He prophesied that the governor would enjoy prosperity and move from one level of glory to another higher level of glory.
He called on the federal government to urgently ensure the completion of the rehabilitation of Lokoja-Abuja road, saying, ”it is a shame to be constructing a road that is less than 200km for over 15 years.”
The Governor said that it was only God’s help to have found the desire, courage and resources to build the Chapel of Unity and Peace.
”When we did the ground breaking on July 22, 2019, we promised to finish the work in December of that year. We completed it on schedule and put it to use that same year.
”Today, we are here to officially commission and dedicate it. We cannot thank God enough”, Bello said.
Represented by his Deputy, the governor said that the Chapel had shown that ”our constitution guarantees equality as citizens are binding on leaders, irrespective of their personal beliefs, feelings and inclinations.
”This building speaks of equity, unity and the fear of God as the principal bedrocks of a diverse but egalitarian society.
”The building proclaims that inclusivity and equal access to government and her institutions as the inalienable right of all citizens, among others”.
The governor,who thanked CAN in Kogi and at the national level for standing solidly with the government in the actualisation of the peoject, solicited prayers and support of the entire Christian community to be able to do all that God of heaven had commanded for the people of Kogi State.
Also speaking, the state CAN Chairman, Dr John Ibenu, said that God in heaven has brought the governor to to do His will, and urged him to continue to seek and do the will of God.
Ibenu stressed that God has also used the governor to answer 28 years’ prayer and yearning of the Christian body in the state and prayed God to grant him his deepest desires.
”His Excellency is a leader that believes in treating all faiths equally, fairly and respectably. He has demonstrated that over and over,”Ibenu noted.
Ibenu thanked the CAN President for having a very soft spot for Kogi State, and for his continuous prayer for the governor.
He also called on the Federal government to, as a matter of urgency, complete the Lokoja-Abuja road saying the road was worsening on daily basis.
Our correspondent reports that the leadership of CAN in the state, conferred an Award of ”Friend Of The Church”, on the governor as a way of appreciating his love for CAN.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were: the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Afolashade Ayoade; Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Matthew Kolawole; and Commissioners.
Zonal CAN Chairman, North Central, Dr Israel Akanji, Traditional Rulers, Leaders of all the Five blocs of CAN in Kogi, JNI, among others were also part of the dignitaries that graced the occasion.
