The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslims in Nigeria on occasion of this year Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The foremost Investigative Journalists Guild in Africa in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Femi Oyewale, noted that this year's Eid-el-Kabir celebration is unique as a result of ravaging COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.
NGIJ however urges Muslims to adhere strictly to precautionary measures by Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 protocols during the Sallah celebration, restating that the novel coronavirus is real.
The Guild called on religious leaders to intensify awareness campaign about COVID-19 and avoid misleading their followers with their messages amidst the pandemic.
''The novel coronavirus is real and this year's Eid-el-Kabir celebration is unique as Muslims would be observing the prayers in strict compliance with the NCDC and PTF on COVID-19 protocols. Some states have banned large gathering for Eid prayers and others permit Muslims to hold their mass prayers. In all, the federal government and States have displayed serious commitments in curtailing the spread of the virus.
'The citizen should therefore take responsibility by complying with all lawful directives to prevent spread of COVID-19. They need to adjust to the new normal in their own interest for public health and safety. Nigeria will come back stronger and better, it's becoming evident with ongoing massive improvements in health sector due to outbreak of COVID-19.
''As Muslims celebrate 2020 Sallah, they must remember the country, its leaders and people in isolation centres nationwide for quick recovery. There is also need to intensify prayers and seek Cod's intervention amidst the pandemic that is ravaging the world economy''
The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) is a registered association of journalists in Nigeria with special interest in Investigative Journalism
Its flagship projects include the State Governance Assessment Report (GAR) which it conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa states respectively which were unveiled to the general public.
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