UNCIVIL MODE OF ENFORCEMENT OF LOCKDOWN ON CHURCHES
It is undisputed that the adoption of Lock Down strategy by the Nigeria government to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is a welcome development as well as one of the best options at the moment, however,the mode of its enforcement especially in #Imo, #Anambra, #Rivers, #Enugu and other States is a taboo.
The current situation in the world was never envisaged although there was enough time to ensure it did not get to the stage it is in #Nigeria. The government would have done the needful by stopping people from flying into the country and established a good system at the airports to check and identify those with the virus while they take proper measures to curtail its spread at the appropriate time. If that had been done, Nigeria would have been safer.
Unfortunately, the virus is now in the country and the government is now vexing their frustration on the innocent citizens.
It should be understood that the citizens are trying to adapt to a lifestyle alien to them which we all know takes time of which any rational human being or system would understand that some level of persuasion and proper orientation should suffice. Sadly, the government that was dragging feet in doing its own bit is now apt and forceful in going to worship centers, flogging and embarrassing worshippers and their leaders. If this force was implemented in the early stage when some politicians, Reps and Senators refused to be tested, would it had been this bad? What level or extent of orientation or media awareness concerning the necessity of the lockdown was implemented to educate the populace knowing that most of these people have never missed a day of worship before the abrupt imposition of the practice on them? Wouldn’t it have been a better alternative to leverage on the opportunity of such gatherings to appeal to the conscience of those worshippers and educate them more on why they should stay at home as we all know that #Christians are not violent, thereby righting the wrong of the government, rather than using force on them?
Will it be inappropriate to consider that most of them have lost faith in the government that have continually failed them and are resorting and finding solace where they believe they can never be disappointed?
It is a norm that the government exerts its full capability of control when its about #churches but feigns ignorance when the case is different. Hope they apply the same measure on #mosques.
The government of Nigeria both Federal and State are hereby warned to desist from molesting the body of Christ as they are opposing Christ by such practice. Christianity is a peaceful and law abiding faith and are made up of humans with emotions that also feel pains and as such should be treated with some level of caution and respect. In as much as the #lockdown is a welcomed strategy, there are better and more civil ways to implement it. The government of Nigeria should also learn to do the right thing at the right time, own up to its mistakes and desist from hypocrisy and favouritism by not treating people differently based on their political or social status, thereby adding to the already existing sufferings of the non-elite populace.
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