The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for a fair and transparent probe into Living Faith Church's airstrip licence. Amid concerns raised in the House of Representatives over private airstrips, CAN emphasized regulatory compliance and urged lawmakers to avoid premature judgments that could undermine trust between religious institutions and the government.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for an impartial inquiry into the airstrip licence recently granted to Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel. In October, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo approved the airstrip located in Otta, Ogun State, sparking debates in the legislative chambers.
Following the approval, the House of Representatives directed the aviation ministry to halt the issuance of private airstrip licences, citing security concerns. Lawmaker Sulaiman Abubakar argued that such airstrips could facilitate the illegal importation of weapons and drugs, potentially escalating criminal activities nationwide.
In defense of the approval, Keyamo clarified that private airstrips are regulated by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) once operational. He dismissed the concerns raised in the House as baseless and lacking an understanding of aviation operations.
CAN President Daniel Okoh emphasized that the church followed all regulatory guidelines in securing the licence. He warned against making unsubstantiated claims linking the church to illegal activities, stressing that such accusations could damage the credibility of both religious and governmental institutions.
Okoh called for a fair and objective investigation and urged lawmakers to avoid actions that might undermine the rights of religious organizations. He highlighted the church’s longstanding contributions to peace and community development and advocated for dialogue that strengthens trust between religious groups and the government.
CAN reiterated its support for initiatives that enhance national security, provided they are pursued without bias or unjustified interference.
