Covid-19: Ogun seeks support of Islamic Clerics

The Ogun State Government has solicited the support of the Imams and Alfas under the aegis of the League of Imams to support the present administration in its efforts to sensitise the public about Coronavirus disease and preventive measures to adopt.

This was made known at the one day sensitisation programme organised by Ogun State Government at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, for Islamic clerics from the three senatorial districts of the state as parts of efforts to take the personal hygiene campaign to religious leaders who will in turn educate their followers on the precautions to adhere to in order to guard against infection.

Addressing the Imams and Alfas, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ololade Kehinde, said that the global emergency created by Covid-19 called for collaboration from all and sundry, noting that nations where there had been community infections are the worst hit.

Dr. Kehinde called on the religious leaders to take the message of personal and respiratory hygiene to their members across the state to enlighten them on steps to guard against the disease.

According to him, it is good to note that Islamic religion had from time immemorial been practising ablution which invariably preaches personal hygiene but it is good to go a step further by adhering to hand washing practice with soap and water.

The Governor’s aide disclosed that the symptoms of fever, coughing, sneezing as well as difficulty in breathing should called for the need to self-isolate to avoid infecting the public, pointing out that there is no need for panic since government is working hard to contain the situation.

“ We do not want our people to panic. The present administration is on top of the situation. We urge you to tell our people to ignore fake news. We have official channels of information dissemination which should be explored.

“ The mischievous elements spreading fake news are out to incite fear and get the people confused. The Prince Dapo Abiodun led government is responsible and responding,” he said.

Earlier, the representative of the World Health Organisation ( WHO), Dr. Ayo Fatimeyin, admonished the Islamic clerics to encourage their members to give facts in cases relating to public health, saying that they should not allow rumour to have a place in them.

Thanking the Ogun State Government for organising the Sensitisation programme for Muslim leaders, the Wakilu of Yoruba land, Alhaji Sheu Sugar, said that Nigeria and Ogun State need prayer as an addition to the efforts being made by the government, promising that the message of personal and respiratory hygiene will not be taken for granted.