Easter: Lift lockdown order, residents, CAN beg Oyetola

By Joseph Akanbi

Residents of Osun State have taken to the popular social networking platform, Facebook, to appeal to the Governor of the State, Gboyega Oyetola, in lifting the lockdown order to ensure a proper Easter celebration.

Osun is currently on the 10th day of a 14-day government declared lockdown order, the order was made by the Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19 in the State.

Osun is currently the third-highest State with coronavirus cases in Nigeria, the state has a total case of 20 with 1 discharged and 19 active cases.

Today is Good Friday, a significant day for Christians all over the world. The week has also been quite eventful in the State as the dust is yet to settle over the controversy generated from the distribution of food materials by the Government to residents of the State.

While some lauded the government for initiating the distribution, others berated the poor quality of rice they received, describing it as bad or poisonous.

There is a growing outcry by residents of the State as the effect of the lockdown is beginning to hit hard.

Just yesterday, Chief Magistrate O.A Ayilara was magnanimous in pardoning four accused persons who were arraigned before the Court for flouting the lockdown order of the State. The accused persons who claimed to be hungry artisans pleaded guilty before the court.

Residents

osun.life has received several requests from residents for the government to relax the lockdown order to enable them celebrate Easter.

A poll conducted by osun.life which garnered 652votes shows that while 73% of the participants favour a lifting of the lockdown order for the celebration of Easter, 27% believe the lockdown shouldn’t be lifted.

A snapshot of the poll results

Some of the arguments for the lifting include Taofeek Adebola Akorede, he said “Permanent lifting is the best,let people go to work and feed themselves. Enough is enough”

Lukman Olalekan Atoriegbe “By this time, Permanent lifting is needed, at least, no more new cases which means government have contained it. The border should just remain closed to avoid entry of new case.”

However, Ojofeitimi Imole Ayo differed, he said “Not really necessary, the lockdown is for the benefit of the state citizens. We should all bear it to have a healthy state. However, a reasonable palliative should be dole out for the masses for them to celebrate Easter in there homes.”

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

In a telephone conversation with the CAN Chairman of the State, Bishop Amos Ogunrinde, he appealed to the government to temporary relax the order to enable Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He said “We have been talking to the Government for days and we’re hoping for an announcement to enable Christians celebrate the victory the Lord Jesus brought to the world. We are expecting the government to extend such gesture to the Christian Community to enable us celebrate Easter even if its just for 4hours on Sunday morning.”

Ondo State

In neighboring Ondo State, the Government has approved the request of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) in the state to observe the Easter Sunday worship in various churches across the state based on precautionary measures and guidelines earlier put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Oyetola Administration

It is however unclear if the Oyetola-led government will relax the lockdown order between today and tomorrow. A statement released earlier today by Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the Secretary to the State Government, shattered any hope residents may have. The State Government in the statement said it has neither relaxed the State-wide lockdown nor granted exemptions for any form of congregation, whether for Easter, Juma’at prayers or gatherings of any kind.

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