From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Despite the Federal and some state governments warnings and banning on gathering of people , many Churches in Kogi State ignored the order as many people went for their normal congregational prayers on Sunday.
The various churches in Lokoja,the Kogi State Capital and its environs opened for congregational services.
It was gathered that the Sunday services were however used as opportunity to pray against the pandemic disease wrecking havoc across the globe and threading lives and economic activities since it’s out break four months ago.
It was learnt that people turned out in their large numbers , while some people still felt reluctant to go to Churches and remain at home to observe prayers.
Checks also revealed that some religious leaders yesterday have also announced temporary closure of their churches so that as from next week to observe no gathering of more that 30 order by the Federal and State governments .
Meanwhile as part of efforts to ensure the the people of Kogi state don’t contact pandemic Coronavirus , the Ministry of Health has distributed hand washing materials to some markets, communities and Government offices in Lokoja.
In a statement signed the Public Relation Office ,Ministry of Health ,Mrs Dorothy Onoja copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday ,said that the state will not leave any stone unturned to ensure the people are safe from contact the disease.
The commissioner for health, Doctor Saka Haruna said the campaign against coronavirus will be taken to every nook and cranny of the state during the sensitization outreach on Corona virus in Lokoja.
The Commissioner explained that with the support of Governor Yahaya Bello, measures have been put in place to fight the scourge of the virus.
Items distributed are hand sanitizer, Veronica buckets, liquid soap and big bowls.
The Permanent secretary, Ministry of Health , Abubakar Babamaaji Danlami explained that the distribution is aimed at encouraging hand washing and a means of preventing the spread of the disease.
While receiving the team, the Director General Government House Administration , Shaibu Oricha commended the Ministry of Health for the proactive steps taken to avoid the outbreak of the virus.
Oricha advised the people of the state to take their personal hygiene seriously and charged the Ministry on awareness creation.
At the Office of the State Head of Service, Deaconess Deborah Ogunmola advised the Ministry to take the Campaign to Ministries, Departmens and Agencies.
Ogunmola who demonstrated the hand washing exercise, advised civil servants to take precautionary measures to safe guide themselves against the disease.
Meanwhile in all the places visited, the people were thought how to wash their hands properly as instructed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
