The Borno State Government has declared Monday as a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year of Hijrah calendar.

The acting Governor of the State, Umar Kadafur, announced that Monday would be observed as a public holiday throughout the state.

Mr Kadafur said the decision was in honour of the Islamic New Year, which begins on the first day of the month of Muharram.

According to him, the public holiday aims to provide the Muslim community with the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Hijrah and to celebrate the Islamic New Year in unity and devotion.

He said that the Hijrah marks the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.

Muharram is also one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, as ordained by Allah (SWT) in the Holy Quran.

The acting governor extended his best wishes to the Muslims in Borno State and around the world, expressing hope for a peaceful, harmonious, and productive new Islamic year.

He urged the Muslim Ummah to uphold values of moderation, piety, tolerance, respect, dignity, and patriotism, which resonate universally.

Mr Kadafur also encouraged Muslims to coexist peacefully with the followers of other faiths, fostering bonds of fraternity, generosity, and mercy that unite humanity.

(NAN)

Zamfara lawmaker holds town hall meeting, pledges more developmental programmes  

States

NAN

“I have no any other priority than the interest of my constituents.’’

Pix: Zamfara State

A Zamfara State lawmaker, Abdulmalik Zubairu (APC-Zamfara) has sought support from his constituents to enable him deliver more dividends of democracy.

Mr Zubairu represents Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

He spoke during a town hall meeting with his constituents in Bungudu in the Bungudu Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

The meeting was organised by the legislator’s constituency office through collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, Community Sustainable Initiative.

The lawmaker lauded his constituents for their continued support for him, promising to deliver more projects to improve their livelihoods.

He said, “I will continue to implement more human development programmes with direct benefit to you and your families. I believe this town hall meeting would increase electorate’s participation in the democratic process. I have no any other priority than the interest of my constituents. I believe that the successes recorded within one year are not for me alone but for all members of the constituency.’’

He appealed to his supporters to pray for divine intervention in the current security challenges in the state.

In his remarks, the state Chairman, Coalition of NGOs, Ibrahim Tudu, urged the lawmaker to collaborate with his colleagues at the National Assembly to pass the North-West Development Commission Bill.

He stated, “We heard that the Senate has already passed the bill. We are appealing to you to mobilise your colleagues in the house to pass the bill so that our region will have more development in future.’’

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of a CSO, “Mu da Mata Multimedia,”Amina Ibrahim, commended the lawmaker for providing for the Women and Children Hospital in Bungudu town.

Ms Ibrahim said the project would tackle maternal and child mortality in the constituency and the state at large.

Earlier, the Executive Director, Community Sustainable Initiative, Lukman Majidadi, said the event was organised to facilitate a robust democratic process.

He said, “As CSOs, we want to ensure mutual relationship between the electorate and their representatives.’’

The event was attended by various stakeholders from the constituency including traditional, religious and community leaders, traders, farmers and herders groups.

Other attendees included a state coalition of NGOs, representatives of tertiary institutions and secondary schools, students unions and the media, among others.

(NAN)