From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has frown at the flagrant disobedience of COVID-19 protocol by some churches in the state.
The governor warned that if this continues, the state government will have no option than to review the restriction on the number of people allowed to worship in churches.
He stated this at the St. Thomas Anglican Church in Mile 2 Diobu, in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, during Chief Azubuike Nmerukini’s family special thanksgiving service organised in honour of his wife, Dame Oroma Nmerukini who survived critical medical condition.
Governor Wike said he observed during the service that more than 80 percent of worshippers did not wear facemasks during the service.
He warned that if it continues, the state government would be compelled to revisit its position on the number of worshippers allowed per session of such church services.
“85 per cent of those who are here are not wearing facemask. That is the problems we have. Nobody wants to obey simple instruction.
“The mere fact that we have agreed that we should worship and allowed everybody, does not mean that we should disobey the protocol.
“My Lord Bishop, encourage our people to wear their face mask. It is very important. If this continues then I will go back and review the restriction to say it cannot be more than a particular number”, he said.
The governor also expressed thanks to God for the healing of Dame Oroma Nmerukini who he described as a sister and mother.
In his sermon, the Bishop of Diocese of Niger Delta, Right Reverend Wisdom Ihunwo admonished the congregation to discard the habit of bemoaning what they lack.
He urged them to believe fervently in God, pray to him and learn to live a life of thanksgiving.
Bishop Ihunwo asserted that when God touches any situation, it will change for good like the case of Dame Nmerukini who had received touch of healing from God.
Dame Nmerukini also expressed thanks to friends and family members who offered prayers and other levels of support.
Chief Azubuike Nmerukini who is the State Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, thanked God for the healing of his wife.
He also commended Governor Wike for both financial and moral support rendered to him and his family while his wife was ill.
He noted that God empowered some persons to offer assistance that made the burden on them easy to bear.
