Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has declared that he will get the COVID-19 vaccine to avoid being prevented from entering some countries.
Mr Adeboye who made the declaration while addressing a congregation of worshippers at the monthly Holy Ghost Night, said he would get vaccinated, should it be a prerequisite for visiting other countries for work of the gospel.
“If there are nations in the world that say I can not come to preach the gospel there because of vaccination, I will do anything for Jesus Christ,” the renowned cleric said during the overnight programme.
Addressing claims that he was against the vaccine, he maintained that in as much as it is for the gospel, “if they asked me to get vaccinated 10 times, I would be vaccinated.”
Mr Adeboye dismissed reports that he advised worshippers against the vaccine, admonishing them to receive it “rather than living in fear or doubt,” he added that “If you believe that getting vaccinated would put your mind at rest, then go ahead.”
Speaking further, the cleric criticised governors who threatened to sanction residents for refusing vaccines as well as prevent them from gaining access into large gatherings.
Recall that Edo state, in August announced that only vaccinated residents would be given access to large gatherings. Similarly, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency also announced that Nigerians who refuse to be vaccinated should get ready to be sanctioned.
But Mr Adeboye explained that the doses available is not enough for 10 per cent of the population, just as he noted that “it means 90 per cent of the people will not be able to access their money. We will need to go back to the olden days of keeping money, I hope you know this system.
“Well, I believe they just want to make us laugh and you know in Nigeria, we need things to make us laugh,” he further stated.
Meanwhile, Mr Adeboye, in May, commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on how he handled COVID-19 in the state.
“We have heard and seen your show of faith in God, particularly in dealing with the Coronavirus. It takes a man of faith to have acted the way you did and we are very, very pleased with you,” the cleric told Mr Bello during a visit to Lokoja, the state capital.
The governor had vehemently denied the existence of the contagion, while also controverting vaccines development efforts.
Mr Bello also refused to allow for COVID-19 testing in the state’s health facilities and vowed not to partake in the vaccination. He later soft-pedaled to allow mass inoculation in the state.