Churches, mosques remain shut in Ogun
- Worship centres in Ogun state remain closed according to the state government
- According to him, the government has recently met with religious leaders to discuss modalities for reopening
- Meanwhile, Abiodun says a taskforce, comprising of the religious leaders, government and security agencies, would be established
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed
Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun says churches, mosques and other worship centres are to remain shut while the government reviews suggested guidelines on the re-opening of religious centres in the state.
Abiodun gave the directive on Friday at a news conference in Abeokuta.
The governor explained that the government had recently taken written submissions and met with religious leaders on Thursday to discuss modalities for the reopening of the worship centres.
He added that the meeting had agreed that a sub-committee, inclusive of the religious leaders, should review the submissions and the discussions to enable government arrive at a composite framework for the gradual lifting of the ban.
Abiodun stated that the committee is expected to submit its report on or before June 12.
He said that he would unveil the reports and suggested guidelines of the committee to the public in his next briefing.
“The June 12 deadline for the submission of the guidelines is to enable the gradual opening of religious activities to tentatively commence on June 19, subject to the review of preparedness by our churches and mosques to the new normal,” he said.
“Any place of worship that violates the guidelines will be closed;
“The guidelines will be reviewed at regular intervals based on developments, including expert opinions and data from the field,” he said.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that be it a welcomed development or a dangerous leap, Lagos has finally bowed to the pressure of the people and reopened all religious centres across the state following two months abstention geared at stemming the spread of the Covid-19 scourge.
Legit.ng also reported that without any iota of doubt, this is contrary to the position previously maintained by the state when the federal government finally announced a ban lift on worship centres across the country.
The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 led by its coordinator, Sani Aliyu, had announced the relaxation on the ban on religious gatherings in the country effective from Monday, June 1.
Interestingly, PTF said the decision was reached based on the guidelines and protocols agreed upon by state governments in lines with the protocols of NCDC.
But in a subsequent effort, some state governments including Lagos announced that religious centres in their states would still remain under lock and key as Covid-19 took a danger-filled swipe at 35 states.
The four states, as earlier reported by Legit.ng, are Lagos, Kwara, Osun and Kaduna
Coronavirus: Is it time to reopen churches, mosques? | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
