By James Ezema

As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter amidst COVID-19 pandemic and its occassioned sit-at-home order to control and contain the spread of the deadly virus, religious faithful and residents of Enugu State, have lauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for refusing pressures to allow for religion service, social gathering and others during Easter celebrations.

Reacting to the Governor Ugwuanyi’s decision, Sir Christian Udah, a Catholic faithful and Knight of St. Mulumba (KSM) said that Governor Ugwuanyi’s decision which was contained in his Easter message to the people is in the best interest of the people of the state in the face of the growing spread of the pandemic in the country.

“As an ardent Catholic faithful and a Knight, I would have loved to attend Easter Sunday service, but it appears the Covid-19 pandemic is not abating without any cure yet.

“Governor Ugwuanyi’s decision to maintain the suspension of all religious services during this Easter is in the best interest of all in the state.

“Religious service can continue later. We need to be alife and healthy to attend religious service.

“As it is obvious now that social distancing and hand washing is the only way to reduce the spread of the virus, we need to adhere to it and pray over the pandemic’s end or cure.

“We cannot risk attending religious service in the midst of this life- threatening disease. It is written in the Bible that God helps those who help themselves. I am on the same page with the governor on this decision. We need to be careful this time around,” Udah said.

To Madam Jennifer Chukwu, a Christian mother and member of Anglican Women Fellowship, Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi’s decision to suspend all religious services in the state during the Easter is the best for everyone.

Mrs Chukwu said: “As we can see even President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the lockdown.

“Some of the state governors such as that of Ebonyi, Rivers and others, who had earlier relaxed the sit-at-home directive to enable Christians hold church services during the Easter celebrations have quickly rescinded the decisions, because of what might be its consequences on the long run, especially with the increasing covid-19 positive cases in the country.

“Covid-19 is real. It knows no Christian or Muslim. We have accepted Governor Ugwuanyi’s decision in good faith.

“We can commune with our God at our various home and seek His face in bringing this scourge to an end. What is important now is how we can stay safe from the virus, especially with the rate it is spreading in recent times.”

Speaking on the suspension of religious services in Enugu during the Easter celebrations, Mr. Ugonna Nwaka, a trader and resident of Umuoji Street, Independence Layout Enugu, said that he has been at home for almost two weeks now due to the closure of markets and others in the state, stressing that the measures put in place by Governor Ugwuanyi is in the public interest.

“I thank Governor Ugwuanyi for his proactiveness in handling the Covid-19 pandemic in the state by closing markets, beer parlour and other activities capable of breaching the strict observation of social distancing.

“I am extremely pleased with Governor Ugwuanyi’s decision to keep suspended all religious services in the state, even during this Easter celebrations. Whatever Gov. Ugwuanyi does or can do to ensure that the virus does not spread in the state will be supported by the residents,” Nwaka said.

Another resident, Mrs Nwanneka Ugbor, who lives at Onu Asata, said that with the decision to suspend all religious services in the state during this Easter celebrations, because of covid-19 pandemic, Governor Ugwuanyi has shown courage and exemplary leadership.

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