The Lagos State Government, in order to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, has banned all religious gatherings of over 50 people in the state.

According to a statement release on Wednesday, March 18th, 2020, the decision was arrived at after a meeting of the state government with religious bodies in the state, which included the Muslim leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria.

The state’s Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said in the meeting therer was an agreement that

all large religious gatherings of over 50 people should be suspended immediately.

He said it was agreed that the suspension would last for a period of four weeks, with a necessary review carried out, if needed.

He added that they had set up a committee to monitor the enforcement of the suspension, in order to ensure that both Muslims and Christians in Lagos State abide by the ban.

The 15-member committee comprises representatives of Christians and Muslims in the state.

The Commissioner also said they agreed in the meeting that the Government of Lagos State should embark on massive sensitisation of people at the grassroots on the need to adopt proper hygiene.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, had earlier said at a briefing that the advice to ban religious gatherings was in the interest of the general 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.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.