•Redeemed Church, MFM, Winners’ Chapel, others adjust programmes
By Segun James in Lagos, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and James Sowole in Akure
The Lagos State and Ogun State governments have rebuffed pressures from churches to relax restrictions introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections so they could hold crossover vigils today to usher in the New Year.
The two states, with a high concentration of headquarters of churches in the country, insisted that the 12am-4am curfew introduced by the federal government, as part of measures to combat COVID-19 remains in place. They warned that dire consequences await individuals and groups that violate the regulations.
CAN, RCCG, Winners drop Crossover Night services thenationonlineng.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenationonlineng.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The cross-over service is usually held by churches on December 31 to mark the end of the year and to welcome a new one. The services, most times, end by dawn.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, had warned churches against violating the 12am to 4am curfew imposed by the federal government, as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
As a result of this, some churches have had to adjust their cross-over services.
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The RCCG, in a memo signed by JF Odesola, its assistant general overseer (admin and personnel), said the development is to ensure that none of its members violates the curfew imposed by the federal government.
COVID-19: CAN, others back down on crossover, adjust services
CAN and churches are adjusting their crossover service programmes for Thursday to end before midnight 2 min read
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and major pentecostal churches have backed down on plans to hold ‘crossover’ to new year and midnight services on Thursday.
The services have been banned by many state governments over the resurgence of the COVID-19
infections in the country.
Crossover service is an annual rite in many religious institutions in Nigeria, held to mark the end of a year and the beginning of a new one.
The service which ends at midnight or dawn in many centres was banned by governments of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Abuja and few others to ensure compliance with the 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. restriction of movements by the federal government as part of measures to contain COVID-19 spread.
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