- Kano seeks federal compensation for economic losses from Durbar festival cancellation.
- Durbar, a UNESCO-listed event, boosts tourism and state revenue.
- Festival banned for two years over security concerns.
Kano Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Tajo Uthman, has requested the federal government to compensate the state over the cancellation of the annual durbar celebration.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Durbar is a festival held during Eid-el-Kabir and Eid-el-Fitri celebrations which begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the emir and his entourage on horses.
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Uthman, while speaking when the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II visited Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State at the government house, said the durbar cancellation has led to significant economic losses.
Uthman said, “We thank Almighty God for sparing our lives and keeping us in good health to be here today to celebrate with the Emir of Kano, which is our very own tradition.
“Since the coming of the white men, it has been the tradition for the Emir to pay Sallah homage to the governor in this house.
“As you know, we have about five major Sallah celebrations, and they are now part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage list.”
He added that the event, which draws both local and international tourists, has been a source of revenue to the state.
According to him, the repeated ban of the durbar has affected the state’s annual budget and has also led to huge financial setbacks.
Uthman said, “Because of this global recognition, people from around the world come to witness the celebrations. When they come, the money they spend becomes internally generated revenue for both the state and the local government.
“But with the cancellation of the durbar, Kano state and other northern states have been losing that revenue. That is why I’m calling for reparation to cover the gap in our budgets and offset the economic loss caused by the cancellation.
“The Durbar is a major source of revenue, and we must begin to apply to the federal government for compensation so we can recover from these losses.”

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This is the second year the Kano Police Command has announced the ban on all durbar activities as it was earlier cancelled in 2024 due to“security concerns” and the need for public order.
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