Easter Celebration: How Ekiti Christians Complied With Government’s Directive
By Gani Salau
Fountain Newsbreaker
The people of Ekiti state particularly Christians in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital complied with the directive of the State government not to worship or celebrate the Easter Monday in any prayer designation or Churche to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), chairman, Ekiti state, Reverend Farther Peter Olowolaye had earlier felicitated with Christians in the state on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and urged them to obey the government directive by staying at home to observe the Easter festivities.
Farther Olueole said: “Though the possibility of observing the Easter day service at various Churches was at blink, there is a need to inform you that due to consultation with the state government had been made with the response received there would be no religious gathering during the Easter in Ekiti “.
In an assessment round the Ado Ekiti metropolis, there was total compliance with the directive unlike before that Christians celebrate Easter Monday at Churches and praying centers .
The various security agents included police, civil Defence, Road safety, OPC, SWSO-Amotekun mounted road blocks in strategic places from olujoda junction, Moferere junction, Ijigbo,, Oke Iyinmi down to the popular Fajuyi pack where there was no festivities were deserted in compliance with the government directive.
Meanwhile, pandemonia broke out briefly in front of Christ The King, Fajuyi, along Iyin road inbetween OPC members and a member of SAARS in mufti embarrassed by the OPC mounting road block at the step of the overhead bridge together with the adjoining roads. The SAARS officer felt embarrassed and called for reinforcement from the police headquarters, by the time they could reach the venue confirming that he was truly a SAARS officer, the OPC members abandoned the road block took to their heals . Efforts to get more fact from the people gathered around was just unsuccessful as they were shouting “then dey record you “.
Meanwhile, the state government has further extended the lockdown in the state to another two weeks through a release form the secretary to the state government, Biodun Oyebanji urging every residents to obey the lock down directive.
