The Christian Association of Nigeria Elects New President

By Pauline J. Chang

NIGERIA -- The Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola was elected to head the Christian Association of Nigeria during its 6th General Assembly, Nov. 12. Akinola, who also serves as the Archbishop of Nigeria, asked all those faithful to pray for him as he assumes his new role.

“I covet the prayers of all and sundry to be able to succeed,” said Akinola at the Abuja meeting.

Akinola, who in recent months was also elected as the new Chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, attributed “the elevation to God and the goodwill of those who have reposed confidence in him to lead".

While CAN is an ecumenical umbrella organization encompassing Christians across several denominations, CAPA includes only the 12 Anglican Provinces in Africa.

Archbishop Akinola began his ministry in 1978 after graduating with a Bachelor of Theology degree from the Theological College of Northern Nigeria. He also received a Masters Degree in Theology from the Virginia Theological Seminary in the United States. Between 1984 and 1989, Akinola served as the Provincial Missionary for the Church of Nigeria. In 1989, he was elected the Bishop of Abuja in 1989, then later Archbishop of Province III in 1998. By 2002, he assumed leadership over all Nigeria – the biggest diocese within the Anglican Communion with 17.5 million members.

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