Ganduje allows Eid prayers to take place across Kano State this Friday after meeting with imams

GOVERNOR Abdullahi Ganduje has approved the holding of Eid prayers across Kano State this Friday despite the coronavirus pandemic still being virulent across the state after holding a meeting with 30 top Islamic scholars.

Kano State has the second highest number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria after with Lagos with a total of 842 people being affected. Across Kano State, a total of 36 have died from the virus, just two behind the 38 casualties suffered in Lagos, prompting the federal government to impose a state-wide lockdown.

Yesterday, Governor Ganduje extended the lockdown imposed by the federal government on the state by another two weeks. However, any gains made from this could be lost this Friday as the governor accepted and approved recommendations by a selection of 30 Islamic scholars in to allow Friday Prayers to hold this week.

Tanko Yakasai, Governor Ganduje's spokesman, said his principal gave the directive after a lengthy consultation with the Islamic scholars and other government officials. He disclosed that the imams were, however, directed to ensure that everyone wears a face mask, as well as guarantee the use of sanitizers and the washing of hands.

Mr Yakasai said: “This means that the relaxation of the lockdown on the days of Monday and Thursday will continue but Friday prayers will also be allowed as well as Eid prayers, however, traditional Eid celebrations in the state will not be allowed. Imams should also observe spacing as well as making brief sermons and observing social distancing."

He added that the government had also inaugurated a committee that will oversee the distribution of hand sanitizers, sanitation equipment as well as face masks to mosques. Kano State has been particularly hard-hit as it does not have the health facilities of Lagos and at one stage, its only testing centre had to close because many of its staff contracted the virus.