The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Tuesday paid a Sallah homage to the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Government House amidst tight security.

The homage, an age long tradition was altered this year due to the police-imposed ban on Durbar activities.

Unlike the traditional Hawan Nassarawa procession where the Emir rides on horseback through the city, he instead traveled in a convoy of vehicles via an alternate route in a low-key movement to the Government House.

There was heavy deployment of security along the route from the Emir’s palace to the Government House.

Meanwhile, explaining the historical shift in the Emir’s Sallah visit, Professor Tijjani Naniya, a historian and former Head of the Department of History at Bayero University, Kano, noted that before 1940, the Emir, as the head of the Native Authority, only paid a courtesy visit to the Resident (British colonial administrator) and returned to his palace.

“But by 1940, when the outskirts of Kano (Wajen Kano) were created and populated, the Emir began a broader visit to see his people, giving rise to the present-day Hawan Nassarawa tradition,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Sanusi expressed gratitude for witnessing another Sallah and emphasised divine destiny in unfolding events.

“We are grateful to God for allowing us to see this day and witness this special moment of greeting the governor once again on the occasion of Sallah,” he said.

The emir also acknowledged the role played by the Kano State House of Assembly in his reinstatement, stating, “We commend the Assembly members who acted within the confines of the law to bring us back to what is rightly ours.”

He further called on local government chairmen to emulate Governor Yusuf’s leadership and development initiatives.

In his response, Governor Yusuf welcomed the emir and his entourage, thanking them for their continuous support and efforts to unite the people of Kano.

He praised Emir Sanusi for his commitment to religious and social harmony, noting that his efforts to unite different Islamic sects were a significant achievement.

On governance, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Kano into a megacity, emphasising ongoing infrastructural projects, including the rehabilitation of roads to eliminate potholes.

Regarding local government leadership, Yusuf revealed that he had introduced a performance-based competition among local government chairmen to encourage effective governance.