COVID 19 Scare: FG Stops Durbars, Awujale Cancels Ojude Oba

By James Orji

Ahead the Muslims Salah celebrations many Nigerians have been gripped by fear over the resurgence of the corona virus variant known as Delta. The country is at the verge of the third wave of the virus as authorities warn Nigerians to step up preventive measures.

As one of the precautionary measures, the federal government has directed states government to suspend Durbar celebrations in all the northern states during the Sallah festivity.

This came on the crest of the cancellation, last week, of this year’s Ojude Oba celebrations, by Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland over fear so that ‘peoples who will converge in Ijebu Ode from all over the world to participate in the ancient and unique socio-cultural and religious festival of the Ijebu nation,” will not be exposed to the virus, a statement issued by the monarch said.

It is the second time that the socio-cultural and religious festival of the Ijebu nation, which also attracts other Yoruba in the South West was cancelled to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

The decision by the Presidential Steering Committee on COID 19, under the leadership of Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, to place some states in the country under watch has further raised the anxiety to a feverish level.

According to the Committee, the decision to put six states and FCT on red alert is due to the emergence of the Delta variant of coronavirus infection and the rising number of new cases and hospitalisations. The affected states include Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the nation’s capital, FCT.

A statement issued by the committee, on Sunday said the situation needs immediate action because of the “worrisome early signs of the third wave of the pandemic,” urging Nigerians, particularly the affected to ramp up measures in containing the virus.

“The PSC, however, warns that all States of the Federation should heighten their state of preparedness and continue to enforce all protocols put in place, given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant. These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria,” the Mustapha-led body said.

It urges Nigerians to be cautious ahead the Salah celebrations.

“The PSC felicitates with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. It however, urges all State Governments and Religious Leaders to be mindful of the potential for wider spread of the virus during large gatherings. The PSC, therefore, recommends the following preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration: a) Decentralization of Eid Prayer to neighborhood Friday Prayer Mosques (outdoor); b) Suspension of Durbar activities; and c) Observation of limitations on all Indoor gatherings,” the statement said.

The new figures released by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC on Sunday indicate 203 additional COVID-19 cases and one COVID-19 related death recorded, with Lagos state leading the packs with 186 new cases.

States with new cases also include Edo-4, Oyo-4, Rivers-4, the FCT-3 and Kwara-2.

The agency stated that the 203 additional cases represent an increase in infections from the 123 cases reported from seven states and the FCT on Saturday with no death.