Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has described the Kano Durbar as a fantastic spectacle, expressing delight at the colour, pomp and pageantry that characterised the display.
Prof. Osinbajo spoke to journalists on Tuesday after attending this year’s Durbar procession, which climaxed when the current Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero arrived at the palace to a tumultuous welcome of the crowd that witnessed the event.
The Durbar takes place on the second day of the Eid-il-Fitri , which marks the end of the Ramadan fast.
It is a colourful event with over 7000 thousand horse riders, dressed in different colours, joining the emir as he rides on horseback to visit the different quarters that make up the Kano Emirate.See below:
At this year’s Durbar, Vice President Osinbajo was joined by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje; the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Liang, the Minister of Small Industries in the Central African Republic, Mohammed Lawan, among other dignitaries to witness the ceremony.
“I think the Kano Durbar is a fantastic spectacle; so much colour; so much pomp; so much pageantry,” Prof Osinbajo said, adding “this is exciting and I am very, very happy to be here.”
The vice president also paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Kano after the Durbar, where he restated his appreciation of the cultural heritage of the Durbar.
“It is, I think, typical for Kano. Kano is a city of firsts. It is spectacular and I really enjoyed myself and I thank you all. I thank your Royal Highness for your hospitality and your warm welcome always.”
Gov. Ganduje said that the Durbar was celebrated in the four Emirates in Kano on the same day.
He said that the Kano Emirate is an institution “which is important in the sustainability of our culture, our tradition, peace and stability; peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic nationalities in Kano and very importantly for the socio-economic development of Kano.”
Welcoming the vice president, the Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who spoke through an interpreter, said that Vice President Osinbajo’s presence at this year’s Durbar would enhance the status of the event not only in Nigeria, but also in other parts of Africa and the world.
The Emir extended his greetings to President Muhammadu Buhari and prayed for continued peace and stability not only in Kano but in Nigeria and Africa.
Ime N
