As part of measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Lagos State Government has banned all religious gathering of over 50 worshipers within the state.
The decision, according to a statement today, March 18, was taken after a meeting of the Lagos State Government with religious bodies in the state, which included the Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim leaders.
The Commissioner of Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said the meeting agreed that “all large religious gathering of over 50 people should be suspended immediately.”He said the suspension would last for four weeks with a necessary review carried out if need be.
He said that a committee had been set up to monitor the enforcement of the suspension to ensure that both Muslims and Christians in the state abide by the decision.
The 15-member committee comprises representatives of Muslims and Christians in the State.
The Commissioner said that the meeting agreed that the state government should embark on massive sensitization of people at the grassroots on the need to embrace proper hygiene.
The State Commissioner of Information, Gbenga Omotosho, had earlier at a briefing said the advice to put religious gathering on hold in the interest of the public.
The Chairman of CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, said, “We are at a critical moment in Nigeria, since we heard this, we have been praying. We have listened carefully to one another, particularly the government. The responsibility of every government is to protect the lives of the people.
“We must be proactive and take preventive measures. It is no longer the issue of religion but survival. We are going to accelerate the education of our people. We must listen to the instruction of the government and take the instruction seriously. We agree with the action of the government.”
