Skip to main content

Easter celebration: Security agencies should prevent religious gathering in Ebonyi, others- NMA


Following the relaxation of the COVID-19 lockdown order and restriction of all forms of gathering by Ebonyi, Imo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Kogi, among other states, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has cautioned the state governors to be wary as the relaxation may lead to widespread infections.

In a statement signed by its president, Dr. Francis Faduyile and Secretary-General, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, respectively, and made available to newsmen on Friday, the NMA said that the orders by the aforementioned state governors authorising the mass observance of Jumat prayers and Easter Sunday services would be counterproductive.

The association, therefore, appealed to the authorities concerned to rescind their decision in the interest of the safety of lives, even as it implored the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure that such gatherings do not take place.

They said: ”The attention of the Nigerian Medical Association has been drawn to some isolated statements negating the established measure of preventing COVID-19- social distancing; and orders by some state governors authorising the mass observance of Jumat prayers and Easter Sunday services.

“Of particular concern are: The declaration by the Cross River State Governor that social distancing is not needed while wearing a face mask; A moratorium on the lockdown to allow mass gathering in mosques and churches starting from Friday to Sunday in Rivers state;

“The lifting of the ban on Friday prayers by Katsina and Kogi states government. We are aware that similar orders have also been given in Ondo, Ebonyi and Imo states which have approved mass attendance of Easter services."

They added: “While appreciating the prime place of religion in our national lives and especially the value Christians place on Easter, we place on record that there is now the evidence of community transmission of COVID-19. As such, relaxing any guideline that promotes mass gatherings in any part of our nation now can only heighten and not flatten the curve of transmission dynamics.

“We, therefore, pray all authorities concerned to rescind their decision in the interest of the safety of lives and implore the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure that such gatherings do not take place.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

N-Power monitors: Minister tenders apology, assures payment in 72hrs

Monitors of N-Power are expected to receive payments for the months of March and April, 2020 within the next 72 hours, while the process of May is on-going. This was disclosed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, in a statement made available to  Paulokahblog   in Abuja Tuesday. In the statement signed by the Deputy Director Information, Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, the minister said all approvals have been made and processes for payment triggered. She stated that the delay for the payment was due to the change in government policy of migration from the Remita platform system to the GIFMIS system of payment, which requires offloading the beneficiaries into the new system before finally uploading, reviewing and final payment by the Social Investment Programme (SIP). The minister regretted any inconveniences caused by the delay towards the payment of the monitors of N-Power, who have proven their mant...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stop inflicting economic hardship on Ebonyians with tax demands, ex-SSG implores Umahi

Former Secretary to the State Government of Ebonyi State, Professor Benard Odoh, has implored the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, to desist from inflicting economic hardship on Ebonyians. In an open letter he made available to Paulokahblog Friday morning, Odoh said that, "as a way of cushioning the devastating effects of the covid-19 pandemic on Ebonyi’s struggling economy, there is urgent need to jettison the collection of tenement rates/ground rents from landlords, excessive/forceful drive for quarry haulage levies and waiving of personal income taxes".  Odoh regretted that, despite the efforts of the state government in policing its borders against the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebonyi State, as of May 21, has recorded 13 cases and expressed hope that the situation would not get worse in the state in particular and Nigeria in general, even as he pledged support for the state government in ensuring that the active cases are managed successfully "to t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Don't quit by Edgar Albert Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns. As everyone of us sometimes learns. And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man; Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup; and he learned too late when the night came down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and when you never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem...
Post a Comment
Read more