Ogun seeks religious leaders’ support in fight against scourge

The Ogun State Government has solicited the support of religious leaders to sensitise members of the public on coronavirus disease and preventive measures to adopt.

Speaking at the one-day sensitisation programme organised by the state government at the Egba Central Mosque, Abeokuta, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Health, Dr. Ololade Kehinde, said the programme was aimed at taking the campaign for personal hygiene to religious leaders and their devotees.

The programme was organised for Islamic clerics and Dawah Workers from the three Senatorial Districts of the state on protecting the masses against coronavirus.

Kehinde noted that the global emergency created by Covid-19 called for collaboration from all and sundry, as countries with highest community infections were the worst hit.

He charged 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.

“It is good to note that Islam had been practising ablution, which invariably preaches personal hygiene, but it is also good to go a step further by adhering to hand washing practice with soap and water.

He disclosed that anyone with symptoms of fever, coughing, sneezing and difficulty in breathing, should self-isolate to avoid infecting other members of the public, pointing out that there was no need for panic, as government was on top of the situation.

Earlier, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Ayo Fatimeyin, admonished the Islamic clerics to encourage their members to always give factual information on public health issues.

Commending the state government for organising the programme, the Wakilu of Yoruba land, Sheikh Iskeel Awaal, said Ogun State and the entire country needed prayers in addition to government’s efforts, promising that the message of personal and respiratory hygiene should not be taken for granted.