Kaduna: Pastor bemoans prolonged keeping of corpses in mortuary

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry at Sabon Tasha, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state, Pastor Yohanna Buru, has expressed dismay over prolonged keeping of corpses in mortuary before burial.
He made the assertion while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday.
According to him, the practice of abandoning corpses in hospitals due to religion, cultural beliefs or lack of money for decent burial, is inhumane.
He explained that, such corpses take long time before burial, and family or relatives pay high bills to keep such corpses in hospital instead of putting them in their final resting places.
“It costs a lot of money for some families to be keeping the corps of their loved ones at mortuary for months or years before final traditional burial.”
“ Preparation for decent burial, also contribute in keeping corpses for long time before burial, and this have devastating effect on the corpse “ He said
While calling on hospital authorities to equally improve in the condition of the mortuary, Buru also kicked against dumping of all kinds of trash and plastic pollution on graveyards,.
He also called on Nigerians to be God-fearing and respect cemetery because it is the final abode every person.
Pastor Buru lamented that of cemeteries in Nigeria are in bad condition, as most of them have turned out to be latrines, refuse dumps, hideouts for criminals and as ritual zones, which has posed a threat and concern to the country.
“ The graveyards are not looking good due to the large numbers of plastic pollution surrounding the premises, which need to be recycled.
“In order to make graveyards look clean, dumping of refuse and animals. grazing in the premises must be avoided,” Buru stated.
“The use of insecticides at the graveyard promises should be avoided because of its health hazard and the damage to the soil
“Cemeteries hold great significance to communities across the country, and it’s important to remember their value throughout our lives.
“A graveyard must be properly secured and fenced to avoid trespass or encroachment to the premises. It is not a grazing site for animal, neither a place of smoking (Indian) hemp.
“The surroundings of most of the cemeteries are not good looking due to lack of sanitation exercise by both worshippers. We must respect the dead ones and protect their environment against all forms of trash and plastic pollution in their premises,” Buru stressed.