Mayowa Olumuyiwa
Following the stance of the Federal Government about social distancing and public gatherings, and the apprehension of some Governors on the observance of Sallah prayers and re-opening of worship Centers, it was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari and the States have reached a five-point agenda on Friday.
A major thrust of the agreement is that gatherings in Mosques or Churches and the observance of Eid-El-Fitr prayers will not exceed 50 people at a time and that Muslims are to use a neighbourhood Mosque instead of open space.
It was gathered that the Chairman of NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also, had talked with the President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Support Ayokunle, on the understanding reached with the President.
The NGF Chairman was also said to have had a discussion with the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. Boss Mustapha .
The newly endorsed five-point agenda by the President is applicable to all citizens, Muslims and Christians included.
In easing the lockdown, the five-point agenda are;
1. Restrictions on inter-State movements.
2. Internal relaxation of stay-at-home order within a timeframe.
3. Compulsory wearing of masks.
4. No public gatherings, be it social, political or religious, should exceed 50 persons.
5. The need to increase testing so that we can be more accurate.
While some State Governors had defied the directives of the President by permitting worship centres to return, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi disclosed that no Governor would go against the five-point agenda.
