Lagos — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State branch, has directed all Christian women groups in the state to march to the Lagos State House of Assembly tomorrow to protest against a proposed legalization of abortion in the country.

Giving the directive on Sunday at an Inter-Denominational Divine Service (IDDS) in Lagos, CAN asked all Christian mothers and women groups to assemble at Comprehensive School, Maryland at 9 a.m.

where the march to the state Assembly would commence.

According to the directive, the protest march was imperative since the National Assembly was about to start debate on the legalization of abortion in the country.

"We pray that the murderous bill will not see the light of day," it stated. Speaking at the occasion, Archbishop A. O. Oyeniran, the Chairman of the IDDS, recalled that CAN was formed 10 years ago out of circumstances, following attacks and threats on Christians in the country.

He observed that Nigeria was the only country where Christians of various denominations had come together under one umbrella in fulfillment of Christ's prayer in John 17: 21 "father may they be one as you and I are one."

"By forming CAN, we have set aside our denominational differences to forge unity which Christ, our Lord prayed for," he said.

"Although there are still some minor doctrinal differences, the Lord has broken the major walls of conflicts." Speaking on the effectiveness of a united front, Bishop Eme Atilade, a former state chairman of CAN, said: "We are working toward it, we have started, and we must achieve it because Jesus Christ has prayed for it."

CAN is made up of the Catholic Church; the Christian Council of Churches, including the Anglican, the Methodist, and the Baptist; the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; the Evangelical Church of West Africa, and the Organization of African Indigenous Churches.

The service, which was attended by about 2,000 believers, prayed for peace, unity, progress and God's protection for the country.