Adopt Virtual Participation For TB Joshua’s Funeral, FG Advises Synagogue Church

The Federal Government has advised the family of the late Prophet TB Joshua, to adopt virtual participation for the funeral of the late cleric.

The government said the advice became imperative to curtail a spread of the coronavirus pandemic as a result of the anticipated turnout of his followers at the funeral.

Recall that the church had stated that TB Joshua (57) died on the 6th of June 2021.

THE WHISTLER had reported that the church is pre-occupied with preparations for a week-long programme in honor of the late cleric.

“We are currently preparing for the week-long service from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th July 2021 in honour of Prophet TB Joshua’s life and legacy. He will be laid to rest at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria,” the church had stated.

But the Minister of health, Osagie Ehanire on Monday disclosed that a team from the ministry, led by the Director of Public Health, is working closely with Lagos and Ogun State governments to advise the funeral planning committee for the cleric, to ensure covid protocols are observed, in anticipation of large turnout.

He said, “We are strongly advising virtual participation. In view of our efforts to limit 3rd wave, self preservation measures will be needed.”

Speaking further, the Minister urged everyone to continue to take proactive steps, adding that reports from the 69 treatment facilities that provide Covid-19 services, indicate that as of Monday, only 4.55 percent of beds in isolation wards were occupied.

He added that no patient on admission is using oxygen presently.

He stressed on the need for health personnel at Isolation and Treatment Centres and other frontline workers to study global events, including interventions of countries experiencing COVID-19 surge.

“The observations will inform review meetings of stakeholders, to increase shared knowledge and strengthen clinicians’ discretion.

“We are strengthening surveillance at the points of entry to check importation, particularly of virulent Covid strains and be able to identify and get them under control.

“We continue to train specialists in Intensive Care, to be familiar with new ventilators, with which we are stocked,” he added.

Nigeria recorded just two new covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, giving the country a total of 167,467 confirmed cases as of Monday, out of the 2,266,591 samples tested. This is a test positivity rate of 1.2 percent.