Commissioner Charges Religious Leaders On COVID-19 Protocols Enforcement

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has called on religious leaders in the State to take it upon themselves to enforce all the COVID-19 preventive measures in their churches.
Nsirim, who made the call recently during a sensitisation meeting with religious leaders in the State, organised by “Faith 4 Life Initiative (F4LI)”,  noted that given their followership, they stand out as key stakeholders in the fight against COVID-19.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Archives and E-Library in the Ministry, Paul Damgbor, said religious leaders should do everything possible to include COVID-19 messages in their sermons.
“There is high level of denial in the religious sector. So, it behoves every leader to educate their members on the inherent dangers associated with the virus”, he said, noting that “burials and marriages are under your purview, so, it is absolutely important for your leadership to take responsibility for their lives and that of your members”.
Expressing his pleasure over what First Baptist Church has done so far on COVID-19 prevention, he reminded the religious leaders that their congregations look up to them, hence their position is vital in ensuring that their members adhere strictly to preventive protocols.
He used the opportunity to state various measures the State Government had put in place, and provisions made to ensure that the COVID-19 preventive protocols are obeyed. They include: provision of hand sanitisers, face masks, face shield, buckets, brooms and other sanitary facilities to schools before their recent resumption, as well as fumigation of markets and schools.
On his part, Chairman of the F4LI, Rev Felix Ekiye, noted that more than 85% of religious congregations in Rivers State will be adequately sensitised on the NCDC guidelines on COVID-19 preventive measures during the duration of the programmes supported by UNICEF.
Also speaking, the State RCCE Pillar Head, Dr Doris Nria, gave a history of Coronavirus in the world, up to the present situation in Rivers State, and noted that education is key in COVID-19 response.
She stated that the Primary Health Care Board has also trained health care providers in the LGAs on COVID-19 preventive measures to enable them sensitize the rural dwellers, and that the training is still on-going in the hard-to-reach areas of the State.
The sensitisation was carried out with support from the Rivers State Government in collaboration with UNICEF.

Sogbeba Dokubo