Issues of Coronavirus in Nigeria not yet at a point to ban religious gatherings —CAN

The Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to calls for a ban on religious activities over the coronavirus disease.

The state CAN Chairman, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, who spoke to newsmen on the issue on Wednesday, said the virus was yet to reach a level that would warrant such action in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, he called on religious organisations to take proactive measures to safeguard members from contracting the virus.

He further pleaded with the Federal Government to ensure the country’s borders were secured.

“The Federal Government must further secure our borders. Many nations are doing this very seriously now. We must also act now as a nation.

“Our nation cannot afford to welcome or accommodate coronavirus in our land. God forbid it in Jesus name.”

The House of Representatives had on Wednesday asked that religious gatherings be banned like in some European nations to prevent the spread of the disease.

But Bamgbola said, “We have not got to that point and we believe we won’t get there.

“We are watching the situation very closely to know what we must do. God has kept it away from us because we cannot contain the pandemic here.

“We believe we will never get to the point of having to ban all services and churches will be grounded.”

Also speaking on the Abule Ado explosion in Lagos on Sunday, Bamgbola called on churches in the state and good-spirited individuals to support the N2 billion Disaster Relief Fund set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He said, “We strongly appeal to all the ministries and churches in Lagos state to contribute generously to this fund. No contribution will be too small.

“We encourage you to please send your cash contributions directly to the accounts of the fund as indicated by our dear governor.

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“We have absolute confidence in our dearly beloved Governor that the funds will be judiciously utilised under his able watch.”

He added that the incident should be thoroughly probed.

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