By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
For the second Sunday after the Federal Government authorized the easing of Coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown, more churches in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abujal opened their doors today (Sunday) for the Christian faithful to worship. The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 Pandemic headed by the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha had a fortnight ago asked Churches and Mosques to open for worshippers but they must strictly adhere to the health advisory of the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) especially the observation of non-pharmaceutical protocols. These includes but not limited to proper handwashing, temperature check,physical distancing and use of face mask even as the leadership of the two main religious groups in Nigeria Christian and Muslim were advice to reduce to the barest minimum the number of the adherents congregating at the worship centers to guide against spike in Covid-19. Prompt News reports that many churches took the advantage to resume Sunday services after two and half months of forced closure. Worshippers thronged churches last Sunday to pray while some people stayed away from church services as precautionary measures. However, our correspondent who was out on the streets of Abuja today reports that many churches opened their doors for worshippers as more people trooped to the worship centers in town. A visit to Basilica of Grace Anglican Church in Gudu District, Abuja showed an increase in the number of worshippers although the church authority maintained three persons par a long bench which seats maximum of six or eight people before the outbreak of Covid-19. Vicar of Basilica of Grace, Venerable Oludare Otoki who preached the sermon today urged the faithful to continue to observe the health protocols while asking them to hold onto God at a time like this and go out there to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World. The church service lasted just one hour period prescribed by the PTF on Covid-19 while all the adherents observed all the health protocols. Also many worshippers were at Dunamis Church International Dome along Airport Road, Lugbe for the second Sunday service since the lifting of the lockdown on worship centers. Although members sat one seat apart in observance of the physical distancing protocol, the cathedral was not anywhere near the full capacity. General Overseer, Pastor (Dr.) Paul Enenche who presided over the first service of the day urged his members to pray for the country and themselves, saying the situation in Nigeria will surely change for the better soon. Sir Japhet Onwuchuruba who said he was not in the church service last week returned today with his family to worship at his Basilica of Grace Anglican Church, Gudu. He said he is happy to be in the congregation today.
