COVID-19: Christian Association of Nigeria calls for enforcement of Safety Protocols

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has called on the Nigerian government to strictly enforce compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols in the country.

The President of CAN, Reverend Samson Ayokunle, made the call at a: “Sensitization Meeting on COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction for Christian Leaders and Scholars”, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to him, CAN endorses the COVID-19 Executive Order recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari that makes safety protocols such as mask-wearing and social distance mandatory across the country

“I am saying it with everything within me that enforcement is key. We need drastic and tough enforcement of the law,“ Reverend Ayokunle said.

The meeting organised by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency was aimed at sensitizing Christian leaders on the need to fully accept the COVID-19 vaccine expected in the country soon.

The CAN President said that it is the grace and mercy of God that has not allowed Nigeria to perish under the coronavirus pandemic.

“We must not take the grace of God for granted. All protocols must be obeyed to protect us from COVID-19. It is not good to borrow reckless confidence that COVID-19 is not existing. We have seen Christians that have died,“ Reverend Ayokunle added.

He urged pastors and other congregational leaders to always do the right thing by encouraging their members to follow protocols.

“If you love your congregation, you must protect them from COVID-19,” he said.

The CAN President also appealed to Christians in Nigeria to cooperate with the government to succeed in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, advised the Christian leaders to continue with the high level of compliance to COVID-19 protocols as observed in churches across the country.

“This virus is no respecter of persons. It has affected every group of persons in our society including the religious institution. This is why we must come together as one people with one voice to use our influence to promote both the non-pharmaceutical preventive measures and vaccination. Religious rulers are highly revered in our society, it is important that we leverage on this divine influence to instil in our people the sense of taking responsibility for themselves and their loved ones by wearing facemasks, observing hand hygiene, physical distancing, avoiding large gatherings and unnecessary travels,“ Mr Mustapha explained.

He also said that as Christians prepare to be vaccinated, they should continue to observe the non-pharmaceutical measures.

“Be rest assured, the Nigerian Government seeks to protect all her citizens and would do her maximum best to ensure the vaccines provided are safe, verified and tested,“ the SGF added.

On his part, the Nigerian Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the reality of covid-19 was indeed a trying time for mankind, and also for Christendom.

“The virus has affected every layer of our society and the church is no exception.  It is no respecter of any kind of limits or boundaries. It discriminates according to age and state of health, but covid19 does not discriminate according to tribe or religion or place of origin. In the face of this threat to mankind, it is imperative that we gather as one people, with one voice to deliberate on how to save ourselves and use all means to survive”. Dr Ehanire said

He urged the participant to use their office to pass the message to their congregation.

“The onerous task of using our office and influence to bring our people to the understanding of taking responsibility for protecting themselves, their loved ones and their community, by wearing facemasks, observing hand hygiene, physical distancing, avoiding large gatherings and unnecessary travels. This sounds simple enough, but in practice, it is an issue. As leaders and scholars, we must be the role models”. Ehanire said.

The religious leaders agreed to carry the message to their congregation.

PIAK