Connect with us

News

COVID-19: Restriction On Large Gathering: Worship Centres Record Compliance, Partial Compliance In Benin

Published

on

Edo State government’s directive prohibiting gathering above 20 persons in the state was flouted by some worship centres while some partially complied with the directive in Benin on their Sunday’s service of March 29, 2020.

Edo State government, with a view to curbing the spread of Coronavirus in the state, had on Monday, March 23rd announced restriction of social gathering to 50 persons and later reduced to 20 persons on Wednesday 25th, in the same month.

However, visit to some worship centres by INFO DAILY in Benin revealed that the restriction does not hinder many worship centres as they opened with special arrangement of chairs while some worship centres completely put their worship centres under lock and key in compliance to the directive.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Muslims Suspend Jumat Prayer In Edo

At Redemption Gospel Ministries cathedral, Benin, the building was opened but with a special arrangement of not more than 20 persons in a area, apparently complying to the social distancing advice, while members coming to the church were offered hand sanitizer before stepping in.

The same was application at Assemblies of God, Oyakhilome Temple (cathedral), Ekewan road Benin, as two buildings in the premises were used for worship with only 20 persons allowed to attend at a time.

Advertisement

When INFO DAILY reporter questioned why allowing few persons in a cathedral that can accommodate large number, a Minister who does not want his name mentioned said the church was complying to the directive from the government.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: NUJ Demands Safety Kits, Palliative For Journalists

Visit to Steward Assembly and Kingdom of Life Baptist Church by INFO DAILY respectively, it was observed that normal seating arrangement and normal church service held, but Kingdom of Life Baptist Church did not used load speaker as the usual practice.

Advertisement

A Minister (name withheld) who spoke to INFO DAILY said they held a short service in order to sensitise members on the disease and to inform them of the new development of restriction, stressing that no church service will hold henceforth.

“As you can see, I was calling for tithe and offering when you walked out. You can also see that we are not using load speaker. We just opened the church to hold short service so that we can sensitise our members on coronavirus and to inform them that we are not holding service again because the government has prohibited large gathering”, he added.

At the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Grace Assembly zonal headquarters, Evbuotubu, Sunday service was held but with a distancing arrangement of seats was observed even as few members turned up. The church hooked up via satellite to the General Overseer of the church for a life broadcast.

Advertisement

Our reporter who visited Believers Ministry international headquarters as one of the worshipers was referred to any of their zonal branches as those positioned at the headquarters said church service was not holding at the headquarters.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: London Returnee Apprehended, Forced To Go On Self-isolation In Delta

Visit to Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Church of God Mission, Heritage Assembly and Miracle Assembly, all in Ekewan road and Evbuotubu axis of Benin, our report observed total compliance as all were under lock and key.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Comments

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

on

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

Advertisement

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

Advertisement

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

Advertisement

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

Continue Reading

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

on

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

Advertisement

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

on

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Advertisement

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending