•Durbar, other activities cancelled Though peaceful and hitch-free, the Eid-el- Fitr was celebrated in a low-key in the commercial city of Kano, apparently because of the fear of terror attacks.
The usual fanfare such as horse riding and Sallah procession associated with the celebration were missing.
Also abandoned was the popular Dubar that raises the ecstatic value of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration to mark the end of Ramadan fast.
Muslims in Kano State restricted their activities to prayers in the mosques after which they retired home for their Sallah meal.
The Wanbai Kano and senior councillor in the Kano Emirate Council, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, attributed the cancelation of horse riding and Sallah procession by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, to the security situation in the state.
However, the various mosques in the state capital recorded huge traffic of worshipers.
In his Sallah sermon, the Chief Imam of Kano State, Prof. Sani Zaharadeen, advised Nigerians to be more tolerant, united and ensure peaceful co-existence regardless of culture, religion or political differences.
Sanusi told journalists that all traditional activities marking the end of Ramadan fast and the Eidel- Fitr celebration would not be observed this time around owing to insecurity and Ado Bayero's failing health.
The Wanbai Kano, however, advised district heads in the 44 local governments of the state to observe the ceremony in low key in their domains and turn up on the third day after Sallah to pay homage to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at the Government House.
Sanusi then urged the Federal Government not to relent in its efforts to rid Nigeria of the dreaded polio virus.
He also called on the residents of the state to assist security agencies with relevant information in their efforts to fight insurgency.
The Wanbia Kano also prayed for peace, security and socio-economic development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
According to him, the nation can only overcome its challenges if the people tolerate one another
National Mirror