By: Admin
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has frowned at the flagrant disobedience of COVID-19 protocols by some churches in the state.
The governor warned that if this continues, the state government would be forced to review the restriction on the number of people allowed to worship in churches.
He stated this on Sunday, at the Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, during Chief Azubuike Nmerukini’s family special thanksgiving service organised in honour of his wife, Dame Oroma Nmerukini, who survived critical medical condition.
Wike said he observed during the service that more than 80 per cent of worshippers did not wear face masks during the service.
He warned that if the trend continues, the state government would be compelled to revisit its position on the number of worshippers allowed per session of such church services.
“85 per cent of those who are here are not wearing face mask. That is the problem we have. Nobody wants to obey simple instruction.
“The mere fact that we have agreed that we should worship, and we allowed everybody, does not mean that we should disobey the Covid-19 protocol.
“My Lord Bishop, encourage our people to wear their face masks. It is very important. If this continues, then, I will go back and review the restriction to say it cannot be more than a particular number”, he warned.
The governor also expressed thanks to God for the healing of Dame Oroma Nmerukini, who he described as a sister and mother.
In his sermon, the Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo, admonished the congregation to discard the habit of bemoaning what they lack.
He, rather, urged them to believe fervently in God, pray to Him and learn to live a life of thanksgiving.
Ihunwo asserted that when God touches any situation, it would change for good, like the case of Dame Nmerukini, who had received the touch of healing from God.
Thanking God for the restoration of her health, Dame Oroma Nmerukini said the experience was bitter but added that she was grateful to God who has healed her.
Dame Nmerukini also expressed thanks to friends and family members who offered prayers and other forms of support.
Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, who is also the state chairman of Local Government Service Commission, thanked God for the healing of his wife.
He also commended the governor for both financial and moral support rendered to him and his family while his wife was ill.
He noted that God empowered some persons to offer assistance that made the burden on them easy to bear.
