Religious leaders in Ondo State have expressed delight about the lift of ban on religious services by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
The State government had yesterday ordered the reopening of churches and Mosques for Sunday worship and Friday jumat service.
In separate telephone interviews, they assured the governor of their preparedness to guide against the spread of the pandemic among congregants by ensuring that they adhere strictly to the laid down preventive directives.
To this end, the religious body has set up a special task force to monitor compliance by churches.
The State chairman of the Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. John Ayo-Oladapo described the decision as a welcome development, which would not be taken for granted.
The CAN boss who said that Christian body had been yearning for this directive following the closing of churches about three months ago due to the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, affirmed that members of the congregation had been sensitised on precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
He said: " We have been expecting it, and we have sensitised our members, educate them on what they need to do as regards observing protocols regarding COVID-19.
" I have the assurance that our religious leaders are well-prepared for it".
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Bishop Kolawole Opayinka hinted that they were fully ready to ensure compliance with the laid down rules, noting that the use of hand sanitizer at the entrance of each church, wearing of mask and maintaining physical distancing were very compulsory.
He said: " We the church have to comply because the interest of our congregants are so pertinent to our hearts; no Pastor will like to lose his member and as part of that, the Christian body has arranged its own task force to ensure compliance among all the churches in Ondo State".
