Muslims celebrate amid tight security in Kano

Yobe imposes vehicular restriction at Sallah

• Shettima apologises over non-payment of workers’ salaries

• Sanusi, Ganduje, others seek peace, unity

Muslims yesterday celebrated the Eid-el-Fitri to mark the end of Ramadan fast amid tight security in Kano.The security agencies deployed their men with heavy arms
patrolling the city to forestall any possible attack and external aggression during the celebration.

The tight security was also noticed at the popular Kofa-Mata praying-ground where the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, led religious leaders, government functionaries, traditional rulers and prominent personalities to mark the end of the Ramadan.

In his sermon, the emir urged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and peace in their daily endeavours as encapsulates in the holy month.Also, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje charged Muslims in the state to continue to exhibit the strict spiritual teachings of the holy month of Ramadan in their daily affairs.

In another development, Yobe State Government has imposed restriction of vehicular movement across the state to ensure a hitch-free celebration.A statement by Director of Press Affairs to the Governor, Abdullahi Bego, said no vehicle would be allowed in any praying-ground throughout the state.

According to Guardian, In his message, Governor Gaidam said the people should keep faith and trust in God and continue to pray for improved security situation in the state.Meanwhile, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has apologised to workers for non-payment of their June salaries.

Shettima, who tendered the apology yesterday at the Government House immediately after performing the Sallah prayers at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, said the non-payment of the salaries was not intentional, as the state government had been paying workers’ salaries and allowances regularly for six years running.

He said the workers’ salaries would be paid on Wednesday.Others, who greeted Muslim faithful for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and celebration of the Sallah, included Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari; his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Masari said the lessons and discipline taught during the Ramadan could not have come at a more opportune time than now when the world is confronted by myriad of challenges, especially on economy and security.

Tambuwal, in a broadcast, enjoined the people of Sokoto State not to forget the lessons of Ramadan in the midst of merry-making.Bello, who observed his prayers at the Old Stadium praying-ground instead of Felele praying-ground where former governors, the Maigeri of Lokoja and other top personalities traditionally observed their prayers during the Eid-el-Fitri, called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious faith, to live in harmony with one another in the interest of peace and development of the country.

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