The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has requested for the immediate opening of Churches in Lagos, Ogun and other states that are yet to do so.
In a statement issued by the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence,  Rev (Dr) Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle through Adebayo Oladeji, his Special Assistant on Media and Communications on behalf of the association asked the Lagos State Government as well as other states yet to do so to reopen worship centres, saying, “the continued lockdown order on the places of worship is no longer acceptable and reasonably justified”.

Following the initial closure of worship centers in March as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, the association believes they have played  there part well enough and demand for the opening of worship centers in states that have yet to do so.

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They also argued that despite the directive on the reopening of religious centres in the country by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the states were yet to comply “Despite the directive given by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 with regards to the re-opening of places of worship nationwide, some states like Lagos and Ogun are yet to allow worship places, especially churches, to be reopened. What sin have the places of worship committed?
“With the sudden emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), at all levels, agreed with the government on the need to close down the places of worship, economy, schools and every other facet of life”. Ayokunle said in a statement
“But with the reopening of the economy, especially markets  (both organised and unorganised markets) along with the reopening of airports and schools, the closure of churches anywhere in the country is no longer tenable and acceptable.
“In what ways are the open or road side markets more organised than the church which warranted their reopening? Is it not our members in the places of worship that do go to markets and other sectors that are reopened? Why are they allowed to go to markets and disallowed from going to places of worship? Is it because marketers cannot contact the virus in markets and airports?”
Ayokunle said while the government and other relevant stakeholders are working hard to get cure for COVID-19, the Church too had a role to play in seeking divine solution to the pandemic, hence the need to reopen churches.

“As much as we believe that COVID-19 deserves attention, it is our belief that the affected state governments would not turn a deaf ear to our quest, but allow worship to return”

Source : selahafrik