The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has described as unnecessary the recent rejoinder issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over the planned foundation ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
CAN had earlier stated that the document generating public confusion originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), stressing that it neither issued nor approved any invitation to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, to play a role in the event.
However, the Sultan’s Media Team insisted that an official invitation card was duly sent to the monarch, requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The invitation, it said, also listed Senate President Godswill Akpabio as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.
According to the statement, the event is to be hosted by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, with CAN President Daniel Okoh and Archbishop Peter Ogunmiyiwa serving as RSVP and organising chairman, respectively.
The Media Team expressed concern over what it described as CAN’s denial of the invitation, noting that the Sultan did not seek to be invited in the first place.
It added that the Sultan’s participation in a Christian event would promote interfaith harmony, citing his role as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). The statement also referenced global examples where religious leaders engage across faith lines without controversy.
The Media Team urged CAN to prioritise messaging that promotes peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.
The statement was signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Sultan’s Media Team and dated April 19, 2026.
