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COVID-19: Eid prayers to hold in Kano as ‘Hawan Sallah’ is canceled
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Kano state government has agreed to allow Eid-el-Fitr prayers to hold across the state after reaching an agreement with Islamic scholars and Imams on safety measures against COVID-19 to be observed during the ritual.
This was announced by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who held a meeting with Islamic clerics at the Government House, Kano on Monday.
“Government also considers it convenient to allow the conduct of Eid prayers in all five emirates in the state under strict observance of safety and prevention protocols,” Mr Ganduje said.
Ban on Friday prayers also lifted
Mr Ganduje also said Friday prayers, which have been banned in the state for weeks, would now be performed with the supervision of the Kano Hisbah board, which would ensure that worshippers comply with safety measures.
He explained that movement would be eased three times in a week–on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, adding that the free hours are from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
“In this regard, we have briefed the Hisbah board to hold meeting with Imams and also deploy its personnel to Friday mosques across the state to ensure that worshippers comply with personal hygiene through maintaining of social distancing, hand washing and use of sanitizers,” he said.
‘Hawan Sallah’ canceled
Mr Ganduje however said all festivities including the traditional ‘Hawan Sallah’ (Sallah durbar) have been canceled across all five emirates in the state.
“However, there will be no Sallah festivals in all emirates including the traditional Hawan Sallah,” the governor said.
“While government of Kano state will also continue to work toward ensuring that together we stand to fight the deadly (coronavirus) disease,” he added.
PTF slams fresh 2 weeks lockdown in Kano
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has declared a fresh 2-week lockdown in the state, after the initial lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 27, 2020 expired last week.
Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha said the renewed restriction of movement would allow the government to further check the spread of the coronavirus disease.
“Advisedly, the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which stricter enforcement and persuasion measures will be pursued,” he said during the daily media briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja.
According to Mr Mustapha, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved recommendations including the following:
“Maintain the existing lockdown order in Kano for an additional two weeks;
“Imposition of precision lockdown in states, or in metropolitan/high-burden LGAs, that are reporting a rapidly increasing number of cases, when the need arises.
“This would be complemented with the provision of palliatives and continued re-evaluation of the impact of the interventions; and Aggressive scale up of efforts to ensure that communities are informed, engaged and participating in the response with enhanced public awareness in high risk states.”
Aminu Abdullahi
The former Emir of Kano has on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll.
Kano Focus reports that the pictures of the visit were published on a Facebook page linked to former Emir named ‘Sanusi ll Dynasty’.
Though the reason of the visit was not stated, but the former Emir has paid similar visit to Lamido of Adamawa in his capacity as leader of Tijjaniyya sect in Nigeria.
Emir Muhammad Sanusi ll
Aminu Abdullahi
Kano State Government has expressed commitment to revive the long existing relationship with Pakistan.
KANO FOCUS reports that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje gave the assurance on monday while receiving the Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria Muhammad Tayyab Azam at the Government House.
Ganduje represented by his deputy Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said Kano endowed with lots of potentials is open for people to come and invest, particularly those from Pakistan.
“We are happy for showing commitment towards reviving the long relationship between us. I can remember the partnership we have in the engagement of Pakistani teachers in our schools which has yielded a lot today.”
“Even in the area of agricultural mechanization we have partnered with Pakistan especially in the supply of tractors to our farmers,therefore I feel if we continue to explore agriculture it will be beneficial to both Kano and Pakistan”.
The Governor also commended Pakistan for showing interest in reviving the bilateral relationship with Kano State.
In his remarks the Pakistani High Commissioner Muhammad Tayyab Azam described the visit to Kano as historic and important being the first state he visited since assuming office.
“I know the importance of Kano as hub of business in Nigeria, after Lagos Kano is next where there is business opportunity”.
“There was a time in Kano when most schools have many Pakistani teachers..my aim is to bring back that relationship”.
He however pointed out that Kano and Pakistan have similarities in both values and culture therefore it is important to deepen the relationship so as to sustain the partnership in the areas of health and agriculture as that will create opportunities for our people towards boosting the economy.
The High Commissioner was accompanied during the visit by Pakistani Consul General in Kano Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai.
Aminu Abdullahi
The Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF) has resuscitated it Kano State chapter and nominated a 14- member Interim Executive Committee to run its affairs for the next six months.
Kano Focus reports that the Forum has mandated the new leadership to organise a general congress that may elect a new council.
A statement issued on Monday by the publicity secretary of the Forum Bello Sani Galadanchi reported that at the inaugural ceremony presided by a member of ACF Board of Trustees, Halliru Akilu, the non- partisan voluntary organization also nominated delegates to its National Executive Committee ( NEC) engagements.
Akilu, a retired Brigadier- General, tasked the new leadership to work in unity, and restore all ACF organs and activities for the betterment of our society.
He stressed that the ACF which is apolitical, believes in the unity of the country, but aspires to see the glory of the north restored, and the economic fortunes of the region tapped for the greater benefit of our people and the nation as a whole.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the ACF Interim Committee, NaShehu Hassan Abubakar thanked the congregation for finding him worthy of the enormous responsibility.
Abubakar, a retired Air Vice Marshall (AVM) assured the ACF National body and people of Kano State of his determination to steer the ship creditably, selflessly and in strict compliance with ACF desire to improve the lot of our people, as well as agitate for their rights.
Other committee members nominated at the ceremony include Aishatu Yakubu Maijama’a (Deputy Chairperson); Shehu Aliyu (Vice- Chairman); Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya (Secretary); Sani Bala Tela (Assistant Secretary); Rabia Hussein Adamu (Treasurer); and Mairo Bello (Assistant Treasurer).
Others are Mahadi Sadiq Abubakar, (Financial Secretary); Hafsat Namadi Bebeji (Assistant Financial Secretary); Bello Sani Galadanchi (Publicity Secretary); Tanimu Ibrahim Getso (Assistant Publicity Secretary); Kabir Mukhtar (Legal Adviser); Muhammad Kabir Haruna (Assistant Legal Adviser); and Azimi Namadi Bebeji (Auditor).
The inaugural ceremony attracted Youth and Women wings of the ACF whose members were nominated into both the executive committee and the NEC.
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is apolitical and socio-cultural association of leaders in Northern Nigeria formed in 2000 to protect Northern interest in the political scene.
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