Kano State Government has lamented the continuous cancellation of traditional Sallah Durbar, adding that it has caused major financial losses, especially in tourism and local businesses linked to the yearly festival.

This was revealed by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Tajo Uthman, during the Hawan Nassarawa homage paid by the Emir of Kano to the Government House on yesterday.

Uthman mentioned that the government had started looking into requesting for financial help from the Federal Government to offset the revenue drop caused by the cancellation of the festival, adding that revenue generated from it was part of the Kano state budget.

“Kano State has suffered huge financial losses due to the cancellation of the Durbar. It is more than just a cultural event, it is an economic driver,” Uthman stated, adding: “It is high time we began demanding reparation from the Federal Government for the losses incurred over the past two years”

The yearly Durbar, a colourful display of horsemanship, traditionally draws thousands of spectators, including tourists from within and outside Nigeria. The event is a major source of revenue for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, artisans and traders.

He said: “When these tourists come, they stay in hotels, enjoy local food, watch the Durbar, and when their shoes get dirty, they pay people to clean them. Some even buy local snacks, like gurasa.”

He emphasised that the seemingly minor transactions play a crucial role in the local economy and state revenue, all of which have disappeared due to the cancellation of the Durbar.

“These are real losses for the Kano State government and its people,” he said.

“We included these revenues in our annual budget. Now that we’ve lost them, we’ll need the Federal Government to step in and cover the gap.”

In his remarks, Sanusi II asked the police to produce the killer of his guard that was macheted to death during the last Eid-el-Fitr sallah ceremony in Kano.

Reflecting on the incident that led to the killing by suspected thugs, the 16th emir lamented the refusal of the police to parade or prosecute the culprit, whom they (Police) confirmed his arrest.

Sanusi expressed worry that instead of the security to carry out due diligence on the mission of those who unleashed terror on his local guards, he received invite from the police intelligence unit, Abuja for interrogation over the incident.

Reacting on the Sallah Durbar ban, Sanusi said: “If they stop us from riding horse, we would drive in car, if they stop us from driving in vehicle, we would walk and if they restrict our movement, we would remain at home and still communicate to the entire world.”