Lockdown: FCTA appeals for cooperation from religious leaders

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has appealed to clergymen in the country to support the government in the fight against the global pandemic called the coronavirus.

Chairman, FCT Task Team on Enforcement, Mr. Attah Ikharo, made the call during an enforcement exercise on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr. Ikharo, while preaching the danger associated with congregational prayers at this period, urged the clergymen to engage their members into worship through online and divert social media platforms such as Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram.

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Attah, who was satisfied with the level of compliance by FCT residents in some of the area the team visited, rated the success at 96 per cent.

He then enjoined them to continue to collaborate with the government and report any worship center and social gathering within their vicinity that fail to comply with the stay at home directive by the government at this trying period.

“Well I think we went round most part of the metropolis, we went round Kubwa, Byanzhi, Gwarimpa and I think the compliance from my own point of view from the churches, I can put it at 96 percent which is total compliance.

“They all work closely with government, they all shot down worship center and so far so good, they are all home praying and doing their prayers. I think for compliance to me is very very high,” he reiterated.

The chairman who addressed a community at Byanzhi in Kubwa,  stressed that government is not banning church or mosque services for ever, but is action was just for this trying period and expressed optimism that very soon it will be over and people will go back to their lives.

He said: “We have move round Abuja and all churches and mosque are closed and the one that is opened is around this place. Please we are begging all of you, we are not saying any church or mosque is banned for ever, no. 

“Now that we all know that we get problem, we all know the coronavirus. Those of us who are Muslims, do ablution and pray in your houses and those of us who are Christianw, let’s sing praises for our families and the country.”

In one of the worship centers the team visited in Byanzhi at Kubwa, a suburb of the FCT,  Rhema Assembly Church, the Pastor of the church,  Pastor Prince Onyekachi and three other members were seen playing gospel music and engaging other members of the church  at home through online worship.

While speaking to journalists, Pastor Onyekachi, who commended the government for taking such action, noted that government is after their health and that they don’t have any reason to disobey them.

“So this morning what you met here is not a church service. Most of the people you see here leave here which if you go in there, you will see their bags and clothing. 

“So, we just came out to make sure we get to the rest members at home through social media which if I get my tablet and open it, you will see the messages that I sent to them this morning which we did from here,” he added.