By FABIAN EKERUCHE

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday rallied support for a befitting building for the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) in Lagos.

Obasanjo, while delivering his speech, as the chairman of the fund-raising for the BSN, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to talk about the Bible House, which he said was dear to his heart.

He commended the President of CAN, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, the initiator of the fund-raising ceremony, for gathering Christians from all walks of life to such a noble cause.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasanjo said there were five pillars that stand out for a Christian; God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Bible and the Church of Christ.

According to him, these pillars are sacrosanct in the life of every Christian.

“From what I saw when I visited the BSN, it dawned on me that we have not paid much attention to the Bible.

“I then advised the society to look for an appropriate and befitting place for the Bible House.

“While we were making enquires for a particular property, the owners of the property, changed the price they gave us overnight.

“They added almost 50 per cent to the price they gave us initially, while we were searching and I hope that we will get money.

“The point is this, any of the denomination or movements in Christendom can build a Bible house for us.

“It will be a shame that the Christian body in Nigeria does not have a befitting edifice for the BSN where we can house the Bible,” he said.

Obasanjo said the first challenge he gave to the CAN president was the task of building a befitting house for the BSN.

“That we are here today is because the CAN president had given the go ahead and the support for every one of us to be here,” he said.

In his speech, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, thanked Obasanjo for his passion and commitment in ensuring that the Bible house was built.

Okoh said the challenge of building a befitting Bible house was a noble task, required of all Christians.

He said that non-Christians also know the importance and usefulness of the Bible.

The CAN president noted that Obasanjo, while in power, played very important role in the building of the National Christian Centre and the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

He said the love of the former president for matters that had to do with God, made him to undergo a degree in Theology, upon leaving office.

He urged all Christians to emulate Obasanjo and rally round the BSN, to fulfil the dream of building a befitting house for the society.

Earlier, the President and Chairman, Board of BSN, Bishop Timothy Banwo, in his welcome address, thanked Obasanjo for driving the BSN to build a befitting Bible House.

Banwo also expressed gratitude to CAN and all the representatives of the Christian churches present for the honour done the society in rallying support for the Bible House.

Also speaking, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, the General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, BSN, expressed delight in what was achieved during the fund raising.

NAN reports that representatives of various Christian denominations and movements graced the occasion. (NAN)

•PHOTO: President and Board Chairman of The Bible Society of Nigeria, Bishop Dr Timothy Banwo; Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; President, Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Most Rev’d Daniel Okoh and General Secretary/CEO, The Bible Society of Nigeria, Pastor Samuel Sanusi at a fundraiser organized by CAN to support the Bible House project of BSN at the Shepherd hill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos on Friday.

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