COVID-19: Ogun Govt To Reopen Worship Centres

Governor Dapo Abiodun led government of Ogun State has said worship centres in the state will be reopened based on evidence of readiness at the government’s disposal by the religious groups.

The State government in a bid to ensure the safe reopening of worship centres in the state send delegations to Egba Ijebu and Remo areas of the state witness modalities they have put in place towards the reopening.

Naija News understands that Churches and Mosques in the state have remained closed since four months ago to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic among worshippers.

Despite lifting ban on worship centres across states in the country by the Federal Government weeks ago, Governor Dapo insisted that worship centres in his state should remain closed considering due rise in cases of the killer virus in the State.

The government has, however, listened to calls by residents for the reopening of religious centres in the state, noting that government officials have met with religious leaders to deliberate and understand how ready they are to ensure total compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines as made available by health agencies.

The government delegation that visited the religious leaders comprised the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker; the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tunde Odunlami, as well as the Environment Commissioner, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, Naija News understands.

Churches and Mosques visited by the delegations include the Redemption Camp; Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque; St Sebastine’s Catholic Church, Ijebu-Ode; Sagamu Central Mosque; Ibara Baptist Church; Headquarters of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries; Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake; Ansar-u-deen Central Mosque, Adedotun, among others.

Speaking to reporters after the visitation on Wednesday, July 22, Health Commissioner, Dr. Coker, said the government officials observed there were different opinions by the religious bodies as regards the reopening of worship centres in the state.

According to him, the government will take its decision base on facts and findings at its disposal.

The government official stated while some of the worship centres have shown readiness to comply with the COVID-19 guidelines, some have clearly revealed that they could not guarantee the safety of worshippers against the novel virus.

“We observed mixed reaction from the religious leaders on their level of preparedness because some have shown that they cannot actually guarantee the safety of their congregants from the COVID-19 pandemic and there are some that have complied with the laid down protocols,” she said.