CAN president Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle commends FG, states on COVID-19 fight

President, Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Reverend Olasupo Ayokunle, has commended the Federal Government and state governments for their efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Ayokunle gave this commendation on Monday when he led other members of the Baptist church to Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan, to donate COVID-19 relief materials to the state government.

Speaking, Ayokunle, who doubles as President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said he was particularly impressed that in spite of COVID-19 being a novel virus, government at various levels had shown proactiveness in curbing a spread of the virus.

“This is a virus that nobody is an expert on because it’s a new virus. So their efforts to contain it is commendable.

“Even the Secretary-General of the United Nations has commended the Nigerian government for the way the pandemic has been handled, noting that some developed nations of the world didn’t show this proactiveness of the Nigerian government. 

“So kudos to the government both at the federal and state levels,” Ayokunle said. While handing over various food items, Ayokunle called on churches and their leaders to also embark on charitable gestures so as to alleviate the suffering of those vulnerable who are forced to remain indoors as a result of lockdown imposed by the government.

“No little gesture is too small at a time like this. We did this to provoke all churches especially denominations to rise up and show mercy because this is one of the main reasons for the existence of the church in any part of the world.

“We rejoice with those who are rejoicing; we weep with those who are weeping. Some people cannot access their businesses and live on what they are able to make daily and they can’t go out because there is death outside.

“So, we need to understand this and all the churches need to help the government in getting these materials to them,” Ayokunle said.