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Friday Olokor, Samson Folarin, Peter Dada
THE Christian Association of Nigeria has called on churches in the country to follow strictly COVID-19 protocols and additional directives by state governments as they prepare for the crossover night service.
The organisation advised that where the government placed embargo on the crossover night service, churches might meet earlier to give God praises for the gift of life despite the pandemic and to place their requests for 2021 before God.
The President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, gave the directive in a statement issued on Tuesday evening, titled, ‘Cooperate with government on crossover night service.’
•Osun bows to pressure, relaxes regulations
By Onyebuchi Ezigbo
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged churches to comply with all government regulations to combat the spread of COVID-19 while conducting their crossover services.
Against the backdrop of the controversy between churches and the association on the duration of crossover vigil, the association directed its members to close up shop by 11pm.
CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, in a statement, said the advice was necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection.
“We understand the unfortunate state COVID-19 infection has put everybody world over, which caused some state governments to place total ban on crossover night service and we are not happy that we would not be able to enter into the new year prayerfully in joint fellowship with our brothers and sisters.
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Ondo state government has threatened to jail any church leader who flouts its ban on crossover services across the state due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The state government through the Ondo State Inter-ministerial Committee on COVID-19 had last week directed that the churches and mosques are not permitted to hold any service beyond 10:00 pm, in line with the ongoing curfew. Adding that it was to ensure the state records no substantial case during the second wave of the pandemic.
In its response, the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, however, declared that it was not aware of the state government’s directive not to hold the crossover service.
COVID-19: Ondo CAN, govt disagree over ban on cross-over services
Peter Dada, Akure
The Ondo State Government on Tuesday insisted that there would be no going back on the ban placed on church activities, particularly the cross-over services on December 31, 2020, following the outbreak of the second wave of coronavirus pandemic.
The government, through the Ondo State Inter-ministerial Committee on COVID-19, had announced the ban last week and said the enforcement of the COVID-19 protocols would begin from January 1, 2021.
But the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. John Oladapo, kicked against the directive of the government, saying the association was not consulted before the decision was taken.
Osun State Government has rescinded its decision to ban churches from holding cross-over services.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode.
In the statement titled, ‘Covid-19: Osun gives fresh directives on Crossover Service’, the commissioner said the government’s sensitivity to the mood of the season has necessitated a review of its earlier position.
Egbemode said, “The Government of the State of Osun has decided to allow cross over religious gatherings, But any organisation holding cross over service must note that they are expected to close the service early and everyone must be off the streets by 1:00am.