Certain states in Nigeria have started lifting the ban on worship centres after ease of lockdown. These states are the Borno, Gombe, Adamawa and Zamfara states have lifted the ban on worship centres and have given the directive that religious activities can be restored in the state. However, the Governors stated that social distancing measures should still be practiced while the use of face masks should continue within the states.
The Federal Government is however not pleased with the directive of these governors to lift the ban on religious gatherings because the Governors refused to seek necessary consultations from the Covid-19 protocol. The Federal Government believes that the lifting of ban on religious gatherings in the states is far too soon as the curve of the Coronavirus pandemic has not been flattened in Nigeria.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister for Information and Culture said “we are always working together with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF). We believe that the governors won’t do anything that will put in jeopardy all we have achieved in the last few weeks of lockdown.
“So, I think it is better that we continue the engagement and I am sure that the chairman of the taskforce who is constantly in touch with the governments will take up this matter and we hope that he will be able to give a feedback”.