Ondo cancels Easter service — after new COVID-19 case

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, says Easter service will no longer hold across the state.

The state government had approved the request of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) to observe the Easter Sunday worship in various churches across the state.

The government had initially granted the request on the condition that services will hold based on “precautionary measures and guidelines earlier put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus”.

The governor, however, announced via a post on social media on Saturday that the permission had been reversed.

The state recorded a new coronavirus case on Friday, bringing the total number of infected persons to two.

Akeredolu said withdrew the permission after concerns were raised on the need to lock down the state.

He added that he had med with CAN and the Christian body agreed with him.

“I’ve heard you all and your concerns on the need to #LockDownOndo. I have just concluded a meeting with CAN and we have resolved that the services will not hold again. Thanks for your concerns. Stay blessed and Happy Easter to all,” Akeredolu wrote.

I've heard you all and your concerns on the need to #LockDownOndo. I have just concluded a meeting with CAN and we have resolved that the services will not hold again. Thanks for your concerns. Stay blessed and Happy Easter to all.

— Arakunrin Akeredolu (@RotimiAkeredolu) April 11, 2020

Some states have relaxed the lockdown to allow residents stock up and celebrate Easter.