Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osun State, Bishop Amos Ogunrinde, on Monday said the association had begun talks with the state government, following cancellation of New Year Eve services as parts of efforts to prevent spread of coronavirus in the state.
Ogunrinde said the last might not have been heard on the issue and urged Christians to be on the lookout for another directive.
Osun State Government had, in a statement on Sunday signed by the Secretary to the state Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, said there would not be crossover services in the state.
It also said, “The ban on youth carnivals still subsists. Also, all social clubs, hotels, departmental stores, supermarkets, event centres and allied centres are to henceforth operate at half of their capacities and observe COVID-19 protocols.”
But Osun CAN chairman said the government took the decision to stop crossover services in order to check people.
He stated, “It is not the wish of the governor to stop crossover services. CAN leadership and government we are holding dialogues on the matter.
“We believe government will give another instruction regarding the crossover services. We are holding dialogues with them and I believe our governor is a listening governor.”
When contacted, Chairman, Osum Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi, said government’s decision to stop large gatherings was in the interest of the people.
On its part, the Ogun State Government said it would look into the appeal by CAN in the state over the ban on crossover services.
The government said it would hold a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the workability of the request by CAN.
The CAN had written a letter to the state government over the directive suspending crossover services and carnivals for the New Year amid the spike in COVID-19 cases nationwide.
Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communications, Remmy Hazzan, had confirmed that the government had received CAN’s letter.
He stated, “The government is looking at it. You will understand that we are on holiday. By the time we are back to the office tomorrow, we will meet with all these stakeholders and we will be able to come up with way and manner in which this can be accommodated.”