COVID-19 vaccine not mark of 666 — Anglican primate

Primate Henry Ndukuba Anglican Communion

Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to ensure they get inoculated against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic when general vaccination commences in the country.

Ndukuba said this at the February 2021 standing committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, which began on February 8 and ended on February 14, with a church service at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra.

A full text of the meeting obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday quoted Ndukuba as saying that many Nigerians had become complaisant about COVID-19 because of the unfounded campaign against the vaccines.

He said: “COVID-19 is already in our villages and communities; we have lost some members to COVID-19 infections. Many people are very complaisant and careless because they believe it is a rich people’s disease or it is not real.

“COVID-19 is real and it kills. Some people are peddling unfounded campaign against the COVID-19 vaccines; they suggest that anyone receiving the vaccine will receive the anti-Christ number 666.

“Let it be clear that COVID-19 is a virus that is ravaging the world and killing people. We give glory to God that we have higher survival rate in Nigeria.

“This disease is like polio, yellow fever and other virus diseases that we receive vaccines to prevent. Those who are infected are being treated and many recover.

“The medical personnel administer drugs to cure them which does not initiate them with the 666. This vaccine is like any other that we receive to prevent diseases caused by virus.”

The Anglican primate also urged Nigerians to always observe the protocols as issued by the presidential task force on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).