Gov. Ishaku’s Broadcast Intended to Educate Tarabans, not to Ban or Restrict Religious Activities
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba state, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku a few days ago addressed Tarabans on the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging most countries of the world and tasked them on maintaining personal hygiene by avoiding handshake, hugging, coughing and sneezing.
After the broadcast, many Tarabans took the message to mean that a ban or restriction has been placed on Christians and Muslims from attending churches and mosques which is not the case as the broadcast was meant to educate Tarabans in areas of personal hygiene by avoiding handshake, hugging, coughing and sneezing.
The misunderstanding was however addressed when the leadership of both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Muslim Council of Nigeria (Taraba state chapters) held a meeting with the governor and arrived at some resolutions.
The following are the resolutions adopted at a meeting of his Excellency, Gov. Darius Dickson Ishaku with leaders of the Christians Association of Nigeria and the Muslims Council, Taraba State, held on Saturday March 21, 2020, in Jalingo according to the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Abu.
1. The meeting resolved that the broadcast by His Excellency yesterday (Friday) was not intended to ban, restrict Christians and Muslims from attending churches and mosques, but rather to educate Tarabans in areas of personal hygiene by avoiding handshake, hugging, coughing and sneezing.
2. Christians and Muslims are enjoined to commit more time to prayers and fasting to God to deliver us from the pandemic.
3. It was also resolved that a committee be set up for sensitisation on personal hygiene throughout the state.
4. It was also agreed that chlorine buckets, hand sanitizers be positioned at worship places, markets, motorparks and MDAs etc.