Archbishop Dr. John O. Onaiyekan (President)

Most Rev. Daniel Okoh
(Vice President)

Engr. S.L.S. Salifu
(General Secretary)

Supt. Apostle Akin Omojola JP
(Assistant General Secretary)

Pastor Paul F. Usman
(Treasurer)

Arc. M.A. Adeyo
(Centre Manager)

Mr. Cletus Alu
(Financial Officer)

SHORT  HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN) SOUTH  SOUTH ZONE.

A PREAMBLE
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, Section (b1)  of the 2004 CAN Constitution which provided for the establishment of Zonal Branches of CAN  in the geo-political zone of the Country and the official directive from the National Headquarters of the Association directing immediate compliance, series of meetings of Chairmen / Secretaries of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in the constitution  states of the South South zone were held to work out appropriate modalities for the formation of the body. The Constitution states are Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

At the end of the meetings, a consensus was reached on a number of issues relating to the zonal CAN formation, among which were the zoning of offices and the location of the administrative headquarters. It was finally agreed that the six states CAN nominate two persons each to fill twelve offices to man the offices and Directorate cadre of the zonal CAN and to run the new body in the interim pending when appropriate structures would be put in place.

Consequent upon the nomination, presentation and ratification of the twelve officers as well as a sixty-member Executive Committee representative, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South South Zone was officially inauguration ceremony, was held at the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State precisely on the 8th July 2006 at a colorful ceremony largely characterized by pomp and pageantry.

The event, which had the then  Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Dr. Peter Odili as the chief host, was well attended by a mammoth audience of richly adorned church leaders and Christians from the five church groups of the six states that constitute the South South geo political zone of the country.

Also in attendance were representatives of some state governors representatives of the Executive of CAN in the Northern States and the National  Headquarters ably led by the out gone Vice President, Bishop Mike Okonkwo as well as several distinguished personalities from all walks of life.

At the historic ceremony, the twelve zonal officers of two from each state of the zone and a sixty member zonal executives of twelve each from the five church groups of CAN were inaugurated to run the affairs of the young body.

The officers of the zone, who were inaugurated and were saddled with the onerous responsibility of steering the affairs of the young body, are:

It is important to add that the Women and Youth Wings of the body were also inaugurated on the same day. Hon. (Mrs.) Julie Nuka Wika and Dr. Emmanuel Martins are the present Chairmen of WOWICAN and YOWUCAN respectively.

B. ACTIVITIES  OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION NIGERIA   (CAN) SOUTH SOUTH ZONE.

Since after the inauguration of the body, serious efforts have been primarily directed towards the establishment of a solid and enduring administrative structure while at the same time executing other activities some of these are highlighted hereunder.

1.  THE SECRETARIAT
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South South Zone enjoyed the benevolence of the Government of the Rivers State under the leadership of the out gone Governor, His Excellency Sir Dr. Peter Odili when it received as donation a giant storey building in a choice area of the city of Port Harcourt in Rivers State to house the secretariat and a substantial cash donation for a smooth take off of the zonal CAN.
Consequent upon this magnanimous goodwill, immediate steps were taken to set up the necessary administrative structure and make the secretariat befitting and functional. To this end, various categories of administrative staff totaling twelve in number were interviewed and employed to fill the approved staff vacancies and the building renovated to accommodate both paid staff, officers and Directors of the zone.

The positions to which the staffs were recruited included:

It is also envisaged that on completion of the renovation work a guest house would be in place to cater for the accommodation needs of visitors to the zone and other guests.

2.       FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO THE STATES
As a result of the need to bring activities of the CAN South South to all in the zone, the leadership of the body planned a familiarization visit to the states to among others:

The visits, which are still ongoing, have been very successful and rewarding in the states so far visited and it is hoped that all states would be covered before the end of the year.

3. EMPOWERMENT OF STATES IN THE ZONE
as a result of the need to financially empower the CAN in the states to strategically and strongly position  them for greater service delivery in the Lord’s vineyard, the leadership of the CAN South South approved release of substantial final grant and 18 – seaer Toyota Hiace Bus to each of the States in the zone.

While the buses have long been presented to the states, a few states are however yet to receive their grants and it is hoped that they would do so very soon.

4.  POLITICS
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South South zone was an active player in the concluded general elections.

Prior to the elections, Christians in the zone and largely through the states were massively sensitized on expediency of showing greater interest in the  voters’ registration exercise and were strongly encouraged to show genuine interest in elective offices and turn out massively to vote for credible candidates of their choice vying for the positions of governance at all levels.

This was done in the six states through aggressive media campaign and publicity, rallies and series of meetings with the leadership of CAN.

It is important to state that the result of Christian efforts in the states in all of  
This yielded unprecedented dividends particularly in the area of Christian political sensitization, awareness and political rejuvenation.

5.INVESTMENTS

The CAN South South, being strongly convinced of the power and benefits of investments has embarked on two major investments so far.

These are in the areas of commercial transportation and the capital market.

C. CAN MEMBERSHIP SPREAD

Membership spread of CAN South South Zone comprises Christians from the five Church Groups in the six states of the South South geopolitical zone namely: Edo, Delta Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

The Church Groups are:

CHAIRMAN:
NAME:           Apostle G.D Numbere
ADDRESS:    Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Int., Inc,
                     47, Isiokpo Street, D Line,
                     P.O. Box 946,
                     Port Harcourt
                     Nigeria

 SECRETARY:
NAME:         Apostle G.I Ukhuedobah
ADDRESS:  CAN Secretariat,
                   30 Airport Road,
                   P.O.Box 8970, Victoria Gardens,
                   Benin City
                   Edo State
                   Nigeria

APOSTLE G.I. UKHUEDOBAH
SECRETARY , CAN SOUTH SOUTH ZONE