President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, joined Muslim faithful to observe Eid Kabir prayers at the Dodan Barracks in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Eid-el-Kabir festival is celebrated by Muslims worldwide on the 10th day of the Hijri month of Dhual-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar.

Accompanied by top government functionaries, the President arrived at the Eid praying ground at 8:55 am on Sunday.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; businessman Aliko Dangote, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, and other dignitaries are also at the praying ground.

Earlier, the President enjoined Nigerians to reflect on the essence of the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, which bears strong meaning and significance for the nation.

He made the call in his message to the Muslim Ummah on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, an event that denotes sacrifice, faith, and obedience to the will of the Almighty.

“The President acknowledges the sacrifices that Nigerians have made in the past one year as his administration sets the nation on a firm pedestal of growth and development.

“President Tinubu affirms that the sacrifices and great expectations of citizens will not come to nought as already propitious outcomes are beginning to manifest with the economy strengthening and vibrancy returning to critical sectors,” a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, read.

President Tinubu urged citizens to spare a prayer for the nation for continuous peace and stability while working according to purpose in promoting unity, peace, and progress.

“The President acknowledges the sacrifices that Nigerians have made in the past one year as his administration sets the nation on a firm pedestal of growth and development.

“President Tinubu affirms that the sacrifices and great expectations of citizens will not come to nought as already propitious outcomes are beginning to manifest with the economy strengthening and vibrancy returning to critical sectors.”

The President also reassured Nigerians that his administration is prioritizing their physical, social, and economic security and will not relent on this noble endeavour.

The 16th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, is currently holding Sallah durbar.

The Emir had earlier led Eid prayer and sermon at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque.

The Eid prayer was observed at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque due to heavy rain that flooded the premises of the Eid ground which could not be used.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other cabinet members observed prayer with the Emir.

The Army, Police, Civil defence and others provided security.

Emir Sanusi took the usual route back home and casually stopping along the way to receive greetings and homage from individuals and groups riding on a horse.

Recall that the Kano Police command had announced a ban on Sallah durbar after a joint security meeting in the State.

However, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, faulting how the police arrived at such without consulting him as the Chief Security Officer of the State.

Meanwhile, the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero observed his Eid prayer at the Nassarawa mini palace as earlier announced.

The embattled Emir had also announced the cancellation of durbar activities during the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has linked the recent cholera outbreak in the country to poor sanitation and a shortage of resources. 

There has been a spike in cholera cases in recent weeks in the country with Lagos State confirming 15 casualties.

While speaking about the NCDC’s response to the disease, the agency’s  Director General Jide Idris blamed hygiene issues as part of the reasons for the cholera outbreak.

“If you go back to this cholera case, to me, it’s a problem of poor sanitation, both personal and environmental; it’s a problem of lack of access to water. The easiest way for good personal hygiene is hand-washing, especially after using the toilet, and before you cook your food,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunrise show on Saturday.

“But in a situation where you tell people to do hand-washing and there’s no access to water, it’s a problem. So, I think everybody, including the Federal Government, the state government, different agencies, local governments, even the people themselves, the community, have to come around.”

The NCDC boss called on governments to provide access to clean water and toilets as part of measures to prevent the outbreak of the disease.