By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi, June 19, 2025 – The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) has refuted media reports that it rejected a N30 million gift from the Kebbi State Government in aid of its recently concluded crusade in Birnin Kebbi.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Christian Affairs, Rev. Dr. Samuel Audu Dabai, made this known during a news conference on Thursday. According to him, the association did not reject the money given to it by Governor Nasir Idris.
"The officiating Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, did not wave the money away," Rev. Dabai said. "On stage, he remarked that he wouldn't need the money personally, but advised CAN to reinvest the funds for the wellbeing of humanity, to improve the care of orphanage or utilize it properly for the betterment of the Christian community."
Rev. Dabai clarified that Dunamis Ministry does not accept monetary gifts for crusades from anywhere, adding that Dr. Enenche solely sponsors his programs. "In my capacity as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Christian Affairs, I signed and collected the money on behalf of the Christian community. The money is well received, and we will put it to use on the execution of Christian projects in the state," he said.
The Special Adviser described Governor Nasir Idris as a highly compassionate and magnanimous personality, a free giver who always wants to make his people happy. "Comrade Nasir Idris has partnered with CAN in several areas for the benefit of Christians," he said. "He approved the use of the stadium for the crusade and the use of the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Lodge for the Leaders/Ministers' conference."
Rev. Dabai also highlighted the governor's other contributions to the Christian community, including appointing Christians into government as Senior Special Assistants, offsetting CAN's debt of N18 million arising from past pilgrimage, and allocating sizeable land for a Christian cemetery.
The Kebbi CAN Vice-chairman, Rev. Femi Orofin, corroborated Rev. Dabai's statement, debunking reports that the association turned down the money given to it by Governor Nasir for the program. Rev. Orofin commended Governor Idris for maintaining an absolute cordial relationship with Christians, saying he has carried them along in the task of governance
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