Ilorin
Some churches in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital on Sunday reopened for worship while others remain closed as clerics called for healthy living.
Our correspondent who went round Ilorin metropolis observed that St. Barnabas Cathedral Church,Ilorin, Powerful Prayer Bible Church and others opened for service but ensured that members comply with the COVID-19 safety measures. These include hand washing, hand sanitisers, provision of infrared thermometer, wearing of face masks among others.
However,churches like Baptist and others remain closed due to the protocol demanded by the government.
Duaglobalnews recalls that the state government on Wednesday, said worship centres migbt reopen as from Friday June 5 on the condition that they satisfy certain criteria agreed with various religious umbrella bodies in the state.
Speaking with our correspondent in Ilorin, the Bishop of Kwara Diocese of Anglican Communion, RT. Revd. Sunday Timothy Adewole said the country was not out of the woods of COVID-19.
The cleric stressed the need for Nigerians to observe all the guidelines aimed at checking the spread of the dreaded disease but added that churches and mosque should continue pray to God to heal the land.
Also speaking with our correspondent, the General Overseer, Powerful Prayer Bible Church, Rev, Noah Adeosun stressed the need for people to learn a lesson or two from the Coronavirus outbreak and turn a new leaf by moving closer to God.
He said that since “there is time for everything in life, this too shall soon pass away, however, we must ensure strict adherence to personal hygiene to aid the spread of Coronavirus.”
Meanwhile the government warned that the concession for churches and mosques to reopen did not mean that the state had flattened the curve of transmission of COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision came hours after the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 held a marathon meeting with the leadership of the Muslim and Christian communities, including the Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“We are definitely not out of the woods as cases continue to rise, especially, because of violation of travel restrictions,” Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor and Chairman of Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19, told reporters on last Wednesday in Ilorin.
