Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has suspended the reopening of worship centres till further notice.
The governor who is also the Incident Commander said the Lagos State Government will continue to monitor the situation.
He said the decision to suspend the reopening of worship centres was informed by increase in the number of cases recorded in the state.
“Due to the continuous increase of #COVID19 cases in our state, we have rescinded till further notice our earlier decision to open churches and mosques for worship.
“We are now fully in the phase of personal responsibility regarding this pandemic,” he said.
He explained that, “We must continue to take responsibility with the mandatory use of face masks in public places, avoiding non-essential movements, staying at home when we have no business outside, and washing or sanitizing our hands regularly.
“These are the simple but necessary steps that will save and protect us. We cannot afford to be lax and lethargic about safety precautions at this time.
“We will, as always, continue to keep you informed and updated on the decisions that are taken for our health and safety.
“One of the most important task that we face is to carefully balance the competing considerations of life and livelihood.
“However, the most important task before citizens is to abide by the decisions that have been taken for our good, even when it is not easy to do so.
He assured residents that Lagos will beat the virus. “We will ultimately defeat this virus if we remain vigilant and do not take anything for granted. Stay safe Lagos. Your health is important.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
