The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, has appealed to the state government to provide additional cemeteries for Christians and fence existing graveyards in Dala and the Maximum Prison areas of Maiduguri.
The association also called on the government to permit the establishment of Christian worship centres in government-owned tertiary institutions across the state to enable Christian students to participate in religious activities.
The Secretary of Borno CAN, Senior Apostle Joshua Akeredolu Michael, made the appeals during a town hall meeting on the 2027 budget organised by the state Ministry of Budget in Maiduguri.
Michael said Christians in the state were facing several challenges that would be documented and formally presented to the government, but identified inadequate burial grounds and the absence of worship centres in higher institutions as the most pressing concerns.
He stressed the need for the government to provide additional Christian cemeteries within the Maiduguri metropolitan area and Jere Local Government Area, while ensuring that the existing graveyards in Dala and the Maximum Prison areas were properly fenced.
According to him, providing worship centres in government-owned tertiary institutions would enable Christian students to practise their faith and promote moral development among students.
The CAN secretary said the association would compile other concerns affecting Christians in the state and forward them to the government for consideration.
He commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for what he described as his administration’s inclusive governance and urged the government to involve CAN in its activities, particularly during budget planning.
Michael expressed the association’s continued support for the governor, assuring that Christians would continue to pray for his administration as his tenure approaches its end.
He also pledged CAN’s support for whoever succeeds Zulum as governor of Borno State.
Michael, who also serves as the Bishop of Cherubim and Seraphim in Borno and Yobe states, expressed hope that the government would consider the association’s requests to address the concerns of Christians across the state.
