The rash of actions taken by both the federal and state governments across the country continued on Wednesday as both Lagos and Ogun banned some public gatherings.
While Lagos State, in agreement with religious leaders, banned all religious congregational service involving over 50 worshippers, Ogun banned high density gatherings in places like cinemas, sports arena, restaurants and night clubs for the next 30 days.
The agreement was part of the communique read by the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, after a meeting with religious leaders at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa on Wednesday.
Present at the meeting were the Lagos Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Alexander Bamgbola and Grand Chief Imam of Lagos state, Sheikh Suleiman Abou Nolla and other regional religious leaders.
In Ogun, the state government said it had found it expedient to announce the immediate ban of all high-density gatherings that would bring together 50 or more persons in the same place such as social clubs, halls, cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, and sport arenas.
A statement by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, said the measure would be in effect for the next 30 days in the first instance, adding that the restriction had to be enforced without prejudice to people’s fundamental rights to association and movement.
“The Government will continue to engage all the stakeholders, including our religious leaders to sensitise the populace on the need to maintain social distancing and collective effort to combat this pandemic.
“The Government will continue the surveillance initiatives and intensify sensitisation on COVID-19. This is more so given the peculiarity of its location as the Nation’s Gateway State and its industrial capital. Our epidemiologists and other health workers are working round the clock with Federal agencies and international development agencies to stop the spread of corona virus.
“In view of the recent confirmed cases in the country, Governor Abiodun reassures the populace that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that the state is prepared at all times to respond appropriately,” the statement reads.
The Governor urged people to maintain a high level of suspicion and report any suspected case to the appropriate authorities.
