The Christian Association of Nigeria yesterday in Abuja declared its support for the National Dialogue being convened by President Goodluck Jonathan and inaugurated a six-member committee to articulate its position to be canvassed during the conference.

The committee inauguarated by CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, comprises Prof. Emele Uka (chairman); Mrs. Kate Okparake, Apostle Etimbule Sunday, Elder John Achimugu, Chief Chukwuma Igwe and Elder Albert Uko (Secretary).

Speaking during the ceremony, Oritsejafor said: “Today for me and for CAN is historic and important because we are taking an important step in the right direction.”

According to the CAN President, “Nigeria has come to a place; President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a bold step that will address all the issues about Nigeria. As CAN president, I want to congratulate the president for taking this step. We are prepared and set for it. So, we are setting up a special committee that will draft the presentation we will make an exciting time. It is a challenging time. No nation grows without challenges.”

Replying opposers of the dialogue, Oritsejafor said: “Sometimes, I get troubled about the way some people reason. A man has taken a bold step. So many people have been calling for a national conference. Suddenly, people are saying the timing is wrong.

“I remember some people then said that the president should dialogue with Boko Haram. We said no, but he went ahead and negotiated with criminals. Where we are now is very critical. We need to sit down and talk. Let everyone bring the card to the table. The fact that we can talk, we would have achieved something.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to sit down and talk. The positive side outweighs the negative side.”

The CAN President that rather than having no-go-areas, “everything should be brought to the table” during the conference.

His words: “To be honest with you, I don’t know what anybody means with no-go area. A dialogue is a dialogue. I really don’t understand. If we are going to sit down to talk, then we should do that. We should be free to discuss.”

•Photo shows CAN President Oritsejafor.

Update news