The National Orientation Agency has knocked the founder and President of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for calling the lockdown over the coronavirus a scam.
Oyakhilome had claimed that the lockdown ordered by the Federal Government in Lagos and Abuja was simply to lay fibre optic cables in preparation for the launch of 5G mobile networks.
A spokesman of the agency, Paul Ogenyi, told The PUNCH on Tuesday that the cleric’s claim was ‘unfortunate’.
He said, “It is very unfortunate that in this sensitive time some of our religious leaders are beginning to behave like they are uninformed. The Vatican has issued a directive that there should be no gatherings. The same has happened in Saudi Arabia.
“Nigeria has witnessed five deaths and many infections. So, I appeal to religious leaders to seek information if they are not sure of the facts.
“I am actually surprised that Pastor Oyakhilome is making this statement despite repeated clarifications by the Nigerian Communications Commission that 5G has nothing to do with coronavirus.
“Is he saying the lockdown in the US and China is also because they want to lay 5G cables? If that is what he said then he is not informed and he needs to be educated.”
Mr Ogenyi called on Nigerians to drop the conspiracy theories and fight the pandemic together.
“It is real and we must fight it. If this kind of information continues to be disseminated, we will be the worse for it,” he said.
