How RCCG, Winners, Dunamis are supporting government to combat COVID-19
Aside shutting worship centers to avoid large gatherings as part of measures to help contain the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria, some churches in the country have started stepping up by pulling resources together in support of government’s fight against the deadly virus.
Nigeria recorded a surge of over 300% in the number of confirmed cases in the past week which prompted response from corporate organisations and individuals who have been donating to support the government and those at the frontline of combating the spread of the deadly virus. As of 2pm Wednesday April 1, 2020, Nigeria has 151 confirmed cases.
In some European countries – Ukraine, Spain and Portugal, churches are offering to convert their worship centers to care centers and hospitals and are also donating medical aids to support the fight against COVID-19. In Nigeria, churches are also rising to respond to the crisis that is affecting every aspect of life.
Here are some of the Nigerian churches that have responded to COVID-19 fight
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
RCCG has donated 11 intensive care unit beds fitted with ventilators to Lagos, Ogun and Plateau states as part of its support for the fight against the spread of COVID-19 cases in the country.
The church in a statement said it will not relent in its effort to impact lives positively by providing spiritual and physical support to everyone in the country.
In addition to this, the church also donated 8,000 hand sanitizers, 8,000 surgical face masks and 200,000 hand gloves to Lagos state.
Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel):
The church which said it barely makes noise about its philanthropy and responsibility to the nation, has donated ambulances, test kits, thermometers, amongst others to Lagos and Ogun states.
A statement by the Chairman of the Church’s Editorial Board, Prof Sheriff Folarin quoted the General Overseer of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo as saying “the church would continue to render medical, material and spiritual support to the government and the people to ensure that the situation in Nigeria does not explode or become intractable.”
The church also donated 400 bags of rice, 150 bags of beans, 400 bags of garri, 500 gallons of vegetable oil, among other foodstuffs to be distributed as palliatives to the less privileged who are likely to be the worst hit by the lockdown.
Other items donated are 20 cartons of latex hand gloves (10 boxes per carton), 10 cartons of disposable face masks (40 boxes per carton), 40 pieces of infrared thermometer (gun-shaped type), 500 pieces of personal protective device (PPE) Hazmat suit, two boxes of pulse oximeter (10 per box), and two cartons of blood pressure monitor (10 per carton).
Dunamic Church
Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Abuja, with the largest church auditorium in Nigeria, donated medical equipment worth millions of Naira to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA.
Pastor Paul Eneche and other leaders of the church made the donation to the FCT Minister.
Items donated by the church include eight units of hospital beds and mattresses, two units of the height measuring sticks, one unit examination couch, two units of diagnostic sets, three units sphygmomanometers, one standard unit Micro Haematoent centrifuge, one standard unit of Gynecologic couch, two units infant weighing scales, two units sets of oxygen cylinders, five packs of oxygen face masks, five cartons of regular face masks, one unit of the automatic stretcher, six pieces of drip stands.
Other items are one standard unit of an ultrasound machine, 20 liters of methylated spirit, personal protective equipment collective, 20 liters of Dettol, one standard unit of hospital screen, 10 pairs of medical boots, and also non-medical equipment include seven units of standing fans, one unit of 5 KVA generator, and two units water dispenser and other items.
