Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday met with religious leaders as part of steps to reopen worship centres shut to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The governor at the meeting inaugurated a committee to fashion out modalities and come out with workable protocol that won’t compromise lives of worshippers after the religious centres might have been reopened.
The committee is made up of representatives of the state government, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, the governor gave the committee one week to submit its report to the state government.
Fayemi who stressed that the lives of the people of the state were very precious to him noted that the meeting was in fulfillment of the promise he made in the statewide broadcast he made on May 31.
The governor emphasised that attention will be paid to working out modalities that would not jeopardise the lives and health of worshippers.
He explained that his administration had always pursued harmony among Ekiti citizens and residents irrespective of their religious beliefs.
The governor urged the committee to take cognisance of full compliance to the COVID-19 protocols in coming out with its recommendations.
Members of the committee from the government side are the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Foluso Daramola; Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu; the Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi and Director General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko.
Christian leaders on the committee include the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Peter Olowolafe; Bishop Clement Abifarin and Rev. Joshua Orikogbe.
Muslim leaders in the committee include the state President of NSCIA, Alhaji Yakubu Sanni; Alhaji M.A. Abdulsalami and Prof. M.A. Abdul Raheem.