COVID-19 - Schools Churches Comply With Government Directive By Benson Agoha In Lagos

Image Credit: PM News

Schools owners who were planning to operate in secret following government directive on schools closure made a rethink after Police disrupted church activities in Lagos and other states in the South west on Sunday.

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Media reports of Sundays disruptions sent out a `don't mess with government' message.

Several schools put out notices notices on Monday advising parents and stakeholders that they have had to 'shut down till further notice', halting academic and other Termly activities.

The leadership of the Victorious Army International Church in ACME Road in Ogba Ikeja was reportedly forced to comply on Sunday, after Police arrived the premises only to find doors locked while worshipers were inside.

Image Credit: PM News

This Twitter photo (left) showed members of the Police Rapid Response Squad entering the church and having a word with a pastor who was standing on the pulpit.

Not all churches threw their doors open to worshipers.  The Catholic Church announced to faithfuls to stay home in compliance with the directive by the Christian Association of Nigeria.

In New Haven Estate, In Igbehin Adun part of Iba in Southwest Lagos, the CKC told worshipers to stay home. While the Guardian reported that the doors of St. Jude Catholic Church in Mafoluku Oshodi also remained shut (right).

Many schools were just beginning their second term examinations when the government suddenly ordered the closure.

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But students of Command Day Secondary School inside the Army Cantonment in Ojo, Lagos said they had already completed their second term exams before the announcement.  Students of Pentecost College were sent home by the school management.

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Telecoms operator MTN replaced their network message to subscribers phones with `STAY SAFE` rather than their usual MTN being shown.

Personal interactions have also been affected.  People have become overtly cautious, refusing to open doors even to known faces.  Friends refuse hand shake when offered and some reminded their friends of the `stay safe` warning.

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Many Nigerians now wear nose masks as a precaution, fueled by an image circulating on WhasApp (left), showing Nigeria's currency icons, Alh. Aliyu Mai Bornu and Dr Clement Isong, wearing nose masks.

Many schools have cautiously set resumption date to after Easter, unless governments says otherwise.

------ Contact Benson Agoha  ------

by phone: +2348029448200 or +2348154741119

or email: agohabenson@yahoo.co.uk