For some time now, the joy and excitement that accompany Sallah celebrations in Yobe State had been absent, no thanks to the insecurity of life and property that enveloped the area. It was a security risk for people, especially children, to be seen outside let alone visiting during festive periods.
However, with the security checks put in place by the Federal Government when it declared a state of emergency in the state and two others, normalcy gradually returned to the troubled state owing to the military actions of the Joint Task Force (JTF) that waged war against insurgents.
It was gratifying that the just-concluded Sallah celebrations went without the ususal terror. Children trooped to the streets in joyful mood to celebrate and visited friends and relations.
In their new dresses, they savoured the fresh air on the streets of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital. They wore make-ups, eye-catching shoes and spectacular eyeglasses as they called on friends and relatives.
Parents were equally not afraid to allow their children to leave the enclave of their home to roam the streets, visit their friends, relatives, family members and so on due to the improved security situation in the state.
In the last Sallah celebrations worshipers deserted the Eid praying grounds in the state capital, with many preferring to stay at home for fear of attack by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
This year’s Eid celebration, however, witnessed hundreds of thousands of worshippers at different praying grounds in the state capital.
Our correspondent who was at the Yobe Mosque during the Eid prayers saw a huge crowd that turned out to perform the prayers. It was, however, observed that many worshippers were late for the two Rakat prayers due to the tight security checks to the entrance of the praying venues which include phase 1; Waziri Ibrahim; Nyarnya and Yobe Mosque.
Immediately the prayers were concluded, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu headed straight to the WAWA Hall of the Government House, Damaturu which played host to orphans from YETIM Care Foundation and other dignitaries in the state.
While speaking to the gathering, Mr. Aliyu admonished leaders and followers to retrace their ways to Allah for a better society.
He regretted that the love shared on festive periods like Sallah among neighbours in the past has vanished. He called on such lost love to be renewed as a mark of brotherliness and love for one another for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
The Deputy Governor also urged the people for a more sober reflection on the Sallah day than allowing the day to pass like any other day.
“There are so many lessons we Muslims are supposed to draw from this celebration. We need to reflect more on this day instead of just eating and drinking like any other day.
“If we miss out on the importance of fasting that has brought us to this day, then we are missing out completely on the rewards that come with it,” Mr. Aliyu said.
The orphans from YETIM Care Foundation, after some quaranic citations, prayed for peace in the state and the country as a whole.
Mr. Aliyu also commended the security operatives for restoring peace in the state, even as he called on the people to be patient with the soldiers who he said are risking their lives for the people to have peace.
“I thank God that last Sallah; we did not witness this kind of turn out. But today, security has improved in the state. I must say that it is the commitment of the JTF. Let us be patient with these soldiers and co-operate with them. They take the bullet, risk their lives for us to have peace. So, why can’t we give them the co-operation they need. After all, they are doing it for our sake?” Mr. Aliyu said.
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Yobe State chapter led by its chairman Rev. Garba Idi also paid Sallah homage to the Deputy Governor during which he stressed the need for religious tolerance. The state CAN leadership further praised the state government for the efforts made so far in restoring peace.
The Emir of Fika and the Chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs His Royal Highness Mohammadu Abali Ibn Mohammadu also led a delegation of traditional rulers in the state to pray with the Deputy Governor on the Sallah celebration.
Addressing the traditional rulers, Mr. Aliyu advised them to step up enlightenment campaigns for more education of the youth so as to avoid keeping bad companies.
According to him, sound moral and religious upbringing and strict monitoring of children will go a long way in solving the insurgency problems, stressing that no parent will advise his child to follow bad company.
In his remarks, the chairman of Yobe State Council of Chiefs and the Emir of Fika regretted how the economy of the state has nose-dived due to the insurgency. The royal father called on the state government to come up with more youth-oriented programmes and other economic empowerment programmes to revive the economy of the state.
He also called on government to impose strict laws against indiscriminate felling of trees. He rather suggested that tree-planting campaigns should be encouraged to tackle desertification.
