The Northern Christian Religious Assembly (NOCRELA) was officially inaugurated in Abuja, marking what stakeholders described as a paradigm shift in faith leadership, unity, and national development.
Themed “The Role of Christian Leaders in Nation Building,” the high-profile event brought together Christian leaders, dignitaries, and representatives of state governments to affirm the need for inclusivity, respect, and harmony in Nigeria’s religious landscape.
The investiture ceremony saw Prof. Sulaiman Bogoro, former Executive Secretary of TETFund, installed as Grand Patron, while Dame Pauline K. Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs, was named Grand Matron. The leadership team also includes Archbishop JohnPraise Daniel as Chairman and Chief Host, Most Rev. Marcus Amfani Ibrahim as Vice Chairman, Rev. Dr. Simon A.S. Dolly as Secretary General, Evangelist Prof. Suleiman S. Matazu as Assistant Secretary General, Rev. Bulus Bature Yahaya as Publicity Secretary, and Evangelist Emmanuel Ayuba Degubi (JP) as Youth Chairman.
The event was graced by His Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Daniel C. Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who served as Father of the Day; His Excellency, Dr. Joel Gbenga Hashim, President of Covenant Altar of Worship Ministry and former presidential candidate, who chaired the occasion; and His Excellency, Dr. John Dara, who played a central role in the ceremony.
Delivering the keynote address, Archbishop JohnPraise Daniel emphasized the Assembly’s vision of promoting mutual respect across faiths. “Christians must respect Muslims, and Muslims must respect Christians, because respect is reciprocal and forms the foundation for peaceful coexistence,” he declared.
Commissioner Hon. Yusuf Umar
Speaking to the press, Publicity Secretary Rev. Bulus Bature Yahaya stressed that NOCRELA is not intended to rival the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) but to complement its work, with a particular focus on addressing the welfare and identity of Northern Christians. “Being from the North does not make us second-class or inferior citizens. We also have our faith and identity to practice. This association is about awareness, persuasion, and inclusion, not confrontation,” he explained.
Representing the Yola State Government, Hon. Yusuf Umar, Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Ethnic Rights, commends the gathering as a timely intervention for strengthening interfaith harmony in Northern Nigeria.
Archbishop Daniel also charged the youth to embrace learning and discipline, urging leaders to invest more in education. “This is the time to show our youth the way, encourage them to go deeper, and prepare them for responsible citizenship,” he said.
The inauguration drew dignitaries, special guests, and goodwill messages from across Northern states, reinforcing what many described as a historic step toward unity, inclusivity, and shared progress for the Christian community in the North and Nigeria at large.
