‘Why we want ban on religious gathering relaxed’

From Jimoh Ahmed, Ikare Akoko

The call on state government to relax the ban on religious gathering should not be seen as a selfish or an attempt to allow clerics to get benefits from members, but rather a call to support the precautionary measures with prayers.

The pastor in charge of CAC Oke Iyanu, Alapata, Ikare, Akoko Northeast Local Government Area of Ondo State, Pastor Babatunde Oke said the call became imperative when one considers the rate at which many distant themselves from God under the pretext that churches and mosques are under lock and key.

Pastor Oke observed that if the type of concessions given to market women are extended to worshiping houses, it will reduce crimes and make sensitization on coronavirus pandemic get to the grassroots.

The cleric said churches will organise sitting arrangement for the congregation in compliance wth the directives of government.

He called on Christians to abide strictly with the directives of government on regular hand washing, use of sanitiser, nose mask as well as others in order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the same vein, a Muslim cleric who is also a former member Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board, Sheik Abdulrazak Atareaku, described this period as that of emergency as a result of pandemic ravaging the globe.

Sheikh Ateraku said with prayers, dedication and abiding strictly with precautionary measures put in place by government and medical experts, the battle against the pandemic will be won.