Kano, Osun declare Thursday Public Holiday in Commemoration of Islamic New Year

The government of Kano and Osun states have declared Thursday 20th August as Public Holiday in commemoration of the Islamic New Year – 1442AH. Thursday is expected to be 1st Muharram, which is the first day of the Islamic New Year. 

In separate statements issued by the Commissioners for information of both states,  the state governments urged the citizens to be cautious in their celebrations.

According to Funke Egbemode, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, the holiday is to afford Muslims in the state the opportunity to celebrate the new year. The Osun state government went further to warn against large gatherings of any kind in the course of the celebration. Workers in the state are also mandated to report back to work on Friday. 

The tradition of observing Islamic New Year holiday started in Osun during the administration of the immediate past governor, Rauf Aregbesola. The New Year has been commemorated with a holiday, annually, since then.

On his part, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba made the information available in a statement signed by him and issued to journalists in the state. The statement noted that the State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje urged Muslims in the state to use the occasion for sober reflection and to offer prayers for continued peace, prosperity and general development of the state. 

The Governor further prayed for God’s intervention in the coronavirus pandemic currently battling the world and the dwindling economic conditions. The governor also assured citizens of Kano State of the commitment of his administration to improving their well being.