The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has welcomed moves by the Federal Government to reopen mosques, churches and other centres of worship with effect from today (Tuesday) but said that the gesture is not enough.

Tis is even as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also welcomed the development announced on Monday by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and hoped that it would fast-track the defeat of the pandemic in the country.

In separate interviews with a correspondent of the Abuja-based Daily Trust, the NSCIA Secretary General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, and CAN President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, both described the government’s decision as a welcome development.

Oloyede however said that while the council welcomed the government’s decision, it should also take up the responsibility of decontamination of the places of worship across the country.

“We are glad on the government’s decision and we urged the leaders of the religious centres to abide by all the provisions and guidelines stated for the re-opening. We also want the government to ensure the decontamination of the religious centres,” Oloyede said.

On his part the CAN President Ayokunle, who spoke through his spokesman, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said that the government’s decision, in the interim, is a welcome development.

“It is our prayers that God will surely deliver Nigeria from the pandemic in Jesus’ name. If Christians and Muslims return to their worship places to pray for victory over COVID-19, God will surely answer us. The closure of the worship places is not acceptable to God. We thank God for opening the eyes of our government to the reality,” Oladeji said.

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