Churches and mosques in Lagos State might not be reopened soon for worshippers, the state government said on Tuesday.
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Anofiu Elegushi, said this on the sidelines of the 2020 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the first year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The state government’s position on religious gathering comes after the Federal Government on Monday lifted the ban on such gatherings based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.
Elegushi said the reopening of the worship centres was not possible soon, as the state was the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Even before the pronouncement by Federal Government, we have been having meetings with the religious leaders, we even had one with Safety Commission, looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses,” he said.
“We also had one with the leaders of the two faiths and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses was ruled out totally.
“They claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them.
“Like an Imam said, he doesn’t know what is going on at the back immediately he is leading a prayer. He said if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back he is not going to take responsibility for their presence.
“So, in the meeting, we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so.”
