By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Archbishop, Province of the Niger, Anglican Communion and Bishop of Awka diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim, on Sunday said that the war against Coronavirus is yet to be over.

He said that people have not come to terms with safety rules across markets and most rural communities in Nigeria concerning the dreaded disease.

Ibezim while addressing journalists after the Sunday worship service at Our Saviour's Anglican Church, Awka.

He called on governments at all levels to partner with religious bodies, the churches and mosques to embark on an aggressive sensitization campaign, so as to mobilize the people to adhere to the safety precautionary measures set by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

The Archbishop regretted that from his observation of all the rural markets in the srate, people were not adhering to social distancing and other precautionary rules stipulated to mitigate further spread of COVID-19.

He said: “It is only God that can save mankind from the ravaging grips of the Coronavirus pandemic, because nations with advanced hi-tech medical equipment and economy have been reduced to nothing. Then, how will nations without strong health system and economy handle the situation.

“Government at all levels should not neglect the role played by religious leaders in mobilizing citizens because they are closer to the people, thus the need to partner the religious bodies for effective communication with their congregation at all levels.

“The government is being misled to neglect the churches and mosques in fighting COVID-19, yet, the church remains a veritable tool for educating the masses on the safety measures of COVID-19 as they know the people better.”

Ibezim wondered why churches were shut down during Easter celebration when there was no Coronavirus, only to be opened now that there were cases of Coronavirus everywhere.

He insisted that much of the measures taken by the masses were from their religious leaders who have taken time to educate them.

According to him, many of the information available in the media were not at the disposal of the rural people and most traders.

While urging government at all levels to partner with the church and see it as integral part of the war against COVID-19, Ibezim noted that it may be dangerous to view the church as the last resort.

The Archbishop added that the good policies of the government needed an input of religious leaders for better implementation.

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