President Muhammadu Buhari, while Muslim faithful around the country prepared to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, urged Nigerians to continue to exercise patience in the face of inconveniences brought to bear by enforced measures to curtail COVID-19, especially at places of worship. Buhari noted that the outbreak of coronavirus had made it difficult for people to gather in places of worship.
“The coronavirus has had devastating adverse impacts on our social, economic, and spiritual lives.
“The preventive guidelines we have introduced to contain the spread of this deadly disease have unfortunately limited people’s freedom to gather and worship in large numbers in mosques and churches.
“Every measure that has been introduced to contain this disease may have its unintended consequences on the daily lives of our people and I, therefore, call on Muslims and others to continue to show more understanding with the government as we take correct steps to protect our people through social distancing.”
“No elected government would intentionally take away its people’s religious freedom by limiting the number of people that will gather in worship centres at the same time.
Other top officials in the National Assembly, state governors, and well-meaning Nigerians have felicitated with Nigerians observing the religious celebration.
The message came just as former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, urged Muslims to pray for the unity, development, and security of Nigeria.
Some state governments have canceled the annual congregational prayers, banned public gatherings, and reeled out safety protocols in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.