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By Segun James in Lagos, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and James Sowole in Akure
The Lagos State and Ogun State governments have rebuffed pressures from churches to relax restrictions introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections so they could hold crossover vigils today to usher in the New Year.
The two states, with a high concentration of headquarters of churches in the country, insisted that the 12am-4am curfew introduced by the federal government, as part of measures to combat COVID-19 remains in place. They warned that dire consequences await individuals and groups that violate the regulations.
By Dayo Johnson – Akure
Ondo state government has asked church leaders across the state not to attach religious sentiments to the ban on crossover service.
It explained that it was rather “aimed at strengthening public safety and to prevent the spread of COVID-19” in the State.
Chairman of the State Inter-ministerial Committee on COVID-19, Professor Adesegun Fatusi said this in Akure during an interactive meeting with various religious leaders and stakeholders.
Recall that the state government had threatened church leaders who flout the ban on crossover service across the state following directive by the state Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that the services would hold in churches.
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The Chairman of the Ondo State Inter-ministerial Committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prof Adesegun Fatusi, on Wednesday, urged the people of the state not to attach religious sentiment to the ban placed on the cross over service in the state.
Fatusi who made this plea during an interactive meeting with various religious leaders and stakeholders in the state explained that the decision to place a ban on crossover vigil has nothing to do with religion but aimed at strengthening public safety and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Fatusi said the meeting of the stakeholders became necessary in order to strengthen the fight against COVID-19 and to educate leaders of the various groups in the state on the need to play a vital role in the fight against the virus.