My achievements, regrets as CAN chairman – Archbishop Cletus Bassey

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The immediate past chairman of Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Akwa Ibom State branch, Archbishop Cletus Bassey has highlighted his achievements during his stay in office as the State chairman of the association. 

Archbishop Cletus Bassey while addressing newsmen last week in his office at Destiny International Mission Inc., B line, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, said CAN under his administration has spread across all the 31 Local Government Areas as against as at the time he took over which the association had only 7 effective chapters. “During my time as CAN chairman, by the grace of God we have been able to take CAN to all parts of Akwa Ibom State.” 

Cletus Bassey, who is a two-term chairman of the association said having serve for six years, it was pertinent for him to step down for another person to take over from him. He said during his time the association had witnessed a great number of churches participation in her activities both the ones that CAN organized as well as State Government, starting from the former Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio’s administration till date.

He noted that he had ensured that CAN had a great moves and that churches in the State came together and unitedly raised a voice, adding that by so doing, the association had seen healthy churches which he said lead to his administration having a good working relationship with the Government of Akwa Ibom State.

Archbishop Cletus Bassey, who is also a former State chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) said he strongly believe that the church is not an institution that should be under minded, saying that the church has a great part to play in the spiritual, moral and even the economical development of the State in particular and the Nation in general.

He maintained that it is wrong for the church to separate from any government, adding that where there is a separation from the two; there is a tendency of some form of abuse or neglect that may take place. He however stressed that both church and government should be together because of according to him every other religion have not separated themselves from governance even as he wondered why the church should be separating herself from being part of government.

Clestus Bassey, who is the General Oversee of Destiny International Mission Inc., advocated that the church should not be left out when it comes to the government of the day, saying the church has a vital role to play mostly in all the activities in government. “In his words, I have noticed that the church has played a major role when it comes to education. Church also came with some form of level of empowerment when they helped people to be sustained at different levels. The church had played a major role also as far as health sector is concern. That is why you have some churches owning hospitals. The church plays a great roll in the society.” He said.

The Man of God frowned at a situation the church playing some vital roles and yet some people are saying the church should be silent in governance when it has to do with policies formulation and implementation even as he called on the church not to shy aware from their responsibility in government.

He used the opportunity to disclose that his church, Destiny International Mission Inc would soon be embarking on a building project that would be called ‘HOUSE OF HOPE’ a place he hinted would be where anybody who has no food or who cannot afford one meal a day can stop-by and eat. He said he has concluded plans to ensure that there would always be food in the HOUSE OF HOPE from 2pm-5pm daily. The Archbishop said not only the food, but he will ensure that there are cloths and shoes for free to those who cannot afford it.

Clestus Bassey expressed happiness over the cooperation he had enjoyed from all the churches during his stay as CAN chairman of Akwa Ibom State for the two terms. He thanked all the church fathers and leaders who had given him such a great support and the opportunity to serve CAN as the State chairman. The Archbishop extended his appreciation to the Government of Akwa Ibom State right from the days of former Governor Godswill Akpabio to the present administration led by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Bassey specifically thanked Akpabio who had given CAN in the State a #100 million revolving loan, land as well as money to build a secretariat complex for the association. He regretted that he could not start the building of the secretariat complex because of some issues that has to do with the land which was basically was getting the particulars of the land. “My regret was that I could not build the CAN secretariat complex because of problems that emanated from the land which was donated by the State Government. It was basically getting all the documents of the land before we could put up the secretariat complex.”     

The former CAN chairman used the opportunity to talk on issues that are of concern to him. He pointed out the challenge Christian community are facing with Kaduna State Government which the Governor had sent a bill to the House of Assembly that churches and pastors would be given a licence to operate which would expire after one year. Clestus Bassey frowned at the move by Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as unnecessary rule of law in the country even as he noted that such law if passed would be against the overall law of the country.

He called on the National Assembly to rise up to the issue by putting to a stop the move by the Kaduna State Government, adding that Christian lawyers also have a great responsibility to rise up to defend the Christian community. 

According to him, “The law of this nation is open and the court of law is there. 

Such people and such Government should be taken to court. Christian lawyers must put themselves together to begin to look at certain things that are being done in this country that are against our own constitution. 

El-Rufai’s move is evil against the unity of Nigeria” He however called on the Christian governors to begin to open their eyes and stand up to defend their Christianity.