CCN strengthens ecumenical ties, as general secretary visits new NBC president

By Editor

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ecumenical cooperation and strengthening relationships among Christian denominations.

His Lordship, the Rt. Revd. Evans Onyemara, Ph.D., General Secretary of CCN gave the assurance on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the newly elected President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Dr. David Olusola Idowu, in Ibadan.

The visit the cleric said provided an opportunity for the two Christian leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest and the need for greater collaboration in advancing the Christian faith and contributing to national development.

He further emphasised that the visit underscored the CCN’s commitment to strengthening its relationships with member churches and promoting greater coordination on issues affecting the Church and wider society.

The General Secretary congratulated Idowu on his emergence as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, while expressing confidence in his leadership and commitment to the growth of the Baptist Convention.

Rev. Dr. David Olusola Idowu is the eighth indigenous President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. He assumed office in August 2026, succeeding Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, and was formally inducted and commissioned on September 18, 2026, at the Baptist International Convention Centre, Lufuwape.

The September induction formally marked the commencement of his tenure as President of the Convention, with the Nigerian Baptist Convention describing the occasion as his commissioning for the assignment ahead.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of maintaining unity, dialogue and partnership among Christian bodies, particularly at a time when the Church continues to play significant roles in addressing social and national issues.

For the NBC, the visit offered an opportunity to further strengthen its relationship with the CCN and explore areas where both organisations can work together in pursuit of shared Christian and societal objectives.

The courtesy visit reflects the broader ecumenical mandate of the Christian Council of Nigeria, which brings together major Christian denominations and seeks to promote fellowship, cooperation and collective action among churches.

The CCN and NBC leadership are expected to sustain the engagement, with greater collaboration potentially providing a platform for joint initiatives and constructive interventions on matters of concern to the Church and the Nigerian society.

The visit ended on a cordial note, reinforcing the commitment of both Christian leaders to continued dialogue, fellowship and cooperation in the service of God and humanity.