•Redeemed Church, MFM, Winners’ Chapel, others adjust programmes
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.
Akinola Ajibola
Updated December 30, 2020
A file photo taken on December 25, 2020, shows some Christians gathered at a church in Abuja. Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.
As Nigeria begins to witness the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, various churches in the country have announced how they will conduct the crossover service.
The service, which is also known as watchnight, is conducted annually by churches on December 31 to mark the end of the year and usher in a new one.
On the last day of the year, millions of Christians storm churches to worship their Maker during the service which usually starts in the night and ends some minutes, and in some cases, about an hour into the new year.
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The cross-over service is usually held by churches on December 31 to mark the end of the year and to welcome a new one. The services, most times, end by dawn.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, had warned churches against violating the 12am to 4am curfew imposed by the federal government, as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
As a result of this, some churches have had to adjust their cross-over services.
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The RCCG, in a memo signed by JF Odesola, its assistant general overseer (admin and personnel), said the development is to ensure that none of its members violates the curfew imposed by the federal government.
Daily Post Nigeria
Published
The government had directed churches to obey COVID-19 protocols and curfew during cross over services.
However, some churches criticised the government directives.
Adeyemi, speaking on the development, urged Christians not to stress about timing but partake in their crossover services at any time.
According to him, the major thing is to crossover to 2021.
The outspoken pastor on his Twitter page wrote: “ If you say “Happy New Year” at 2pm on 31st December in Lagos, you won’t be wrong. You’ll only be joining people in Sydney Australia to say it at that time. In fact, you’ll be 10 hours ahead of others in Nigeria.
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A file photo taken on December 25, 2020, shows some Christians gathered at a church in Abuja. Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.
As Nigeria begins to witness the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, various churches in the country have announced how they will conduct the crossover service.
The service, which is also known as watchnight, is conducted annually by churches on December 31 to mark the end of the year and usher in a new one.
On the last day of the year, millions of Christians storm churches to worship their Maker during the service which usually starts in the night and ends some minutes, and in some cases, about an hour into the new year.