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The Lagos state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Chief Imam in the state have declared support for the government decision to suspend the planned reopening of worship centres.
MERIDIAN SPY reports Tuesday, the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the decision to indefinitely suspend the planned lifting of ban on religious gathering.
Sanwo-Olu said the development became necessary as a result of the rising cases of coronavirus in the state.
Reacting to the development, the state CAN said the lives of worshippers were more important than reopening churches, adding that the church cannot ignore the advice of the government.
“Human lives are so sacrosanct. The church is very concerned. The best thing to do is to pray,” CAN Secretary Elder, Israel Akinadewo told The Nation.
“If anything untoward happens, which we are not praying for, the church will be blamed. So it’s a dilemma that does not require granting interviews but prayers.”
But the state Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship OF Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Ola Ore, expressed shock over the development, saying Christians carry out essential service in churches.
Ore argued that the increasing cases in the state called for corporate prayers.
“We have spoken and said all we needed to say but in their wisdom, if they think that is better, it is very unfortunate,” he said.
”l am sad and is because l went to the bank today and l saw how people were close to each other in the queue outside the bank.
“Though, they said banks are essential service and l agree. Christan are essential service providers and like Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God said , there is power in corporate anointing.
“We need to pray. We can pray individually, but there is power in corporate prayers.”
On his part, the state Chief Imam, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla welcomed the state government’s decision, stating that it shows the governor was passionate about saving the lives of Lagosians.
Abou-Nolla urged Muslims to abide by the governor’s directive, saying there was no basis for reopening of religious centres going by the increasing figures of COVID-19 cases in the state.
“The decision is in line with our thoughts of not endangering the lives of our people. It is those who are alive that can worship Allah,” said the Islamic cleric.
“We thank Governor Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet members for showing concern for the lives of the people.
“I therefore urged our Muslim brothers and sisters to comply with the directive. All mosques should remain closed till COVID-19 pandemic is defeated.”
Nigeria has a total of 17,148 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 5,623 discharged, 455 deaths. Lagos however has 7,461 cases, after 142 new cases on Tuesday.
