It was double celebration in Katsina Town last week as residents marked the Eid el-Kabir alongside a special maiden thanksgiving ceremony to mark the 86th year of the emergence of Katsina Province from the old Zaria Province in 1934.
Arewa Trust reports that the event tagged: “Yaumul Shukur” (Thanksgiving Day), was witnessed by dignitaries from the state, including top government officials, traditional rulers, politicians, businessmen and religious leaders.
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To show the significance of the day Katsina Province came into being, the Katsina State Government declared August 1, of every year as a day of special prayers to commemorate the event.
The Chairman of the 2020 Organising Committee of the day, Abidu Yazid Rafidadi, said the event was organised not because people of Katsina were not grateful to God before, but to further show how grateful they were for their transformation over the years.
Rafindadi said Katsina Province was carved out of the old Zaria Province by the colonial masters on August 1, 1934, and that from 2020 on, every year, it had been agreed that special prayers would be held for its development.
The Chairman of the Katsina State Council of Chiefs and Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, called for a special stakeholders meeting of sons and daughters of the state to come up with suggestions and ways that would advance the fortunes of the state.
Also, the Emir of Daura, HRH Umar Faruk, said over the years, the provinces of Daura and Katsina were merged which evolved into the present Katsina State, and that, “We should continue to live in peace to enable the state to prosper to greater heights.”
The Governor of the state, Aminu Bello Masari, explained that it was important for the state to have a day for such and to express gratitude to Allah for His blessings and bounties to the state.
Gov. Masari said the date was reached after consultation with the state history and culture bureau, and that the state government would direct local governments and academic institutions to always observe August 1, as prayers day in the state.
The governor prayed for rapid development of the state.