Nigeria’s Federal Capital city, Abuja saw its economic activities slow considerably early on Thursday as residents, many of who were seen traveling out of town, began preparations for the Id-el-Kabir celebrations.
Businessday observed that activities were low key as at Thursday afternoon in and around some usual busy areas of the city, like the Central Business District, Federal secretariat, Kuje, airport road, Area 11 Garki, among others.
Human and vehicular movements in most parts of the areas visited slowed, apparently, because most people, particularly Muslims had travelled to celebrate Id-el-Kabir with their families, while some had gone home quite early from work.
For instance, the very busy Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was seen deserted when our correspondent who had visited for a business meeting observed.
“I have never seen the CBN like this,” a visitor told BusinessDay correspondent, expressing similar surprise.
Muslims all around the world are celebrating Id-Kabir on Friday. But ahead of the celebrations, the Nigerian Federal Government declared Friday, September 1 and Monday 4, 2017 as public holidays to mark the famous annual event.
Abdulrahman Dambazau, Minister of Interior, declared the public holidays last Monday in a statement congratulating the Muslim faithfuls and urging all Nigerians to use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country’s democracy.
The minister equally assured Nigerians of their safety in all parts of the country, as he emphasized that security agencies had been directed to maintain the peace and protect lives and property.
Muslims in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were seen earnestly preparing for celebrations. Most of them, including Christians had already travelled to celebrate with their families, hence the slow pace in activities.
President Muhammadu Buhari travelled Wednesday to his Daura, Katsina State country home, where he will be spending the Eid-el-Kabir holiday with his family.
President Buhari proceeded to Daura after presiding over his first Federal Executive Council meeting, the first he was attending in four months, having been away in London receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
BusinessDay observed that activities also low at the Presidential Aso Villa on Thursday, as it was not quite full with the usual human and vehicular presence.
It was also observed that some offices closed as early as 1pm with a fewer number of people seen going to the mosques for prayers, indicated most workers and usual visitors had travelled or already commenced their holidays.
Banks in the capital were however, seen working as normal, but the banking halls visited at the heart of the federal Capital Territory were crowded with many civil servants making last minute withdrawals to make purchases for the Sallah celebrations.
At United Bank of Africa, Area 11, Garki, full banking activities were ongoing as at 1:40pm, but there were long queues of people trying to withdraw money against the long weekend.
In Eco-bank, Area 11, around 2:30pm, the bank was also operating, with a similar long queue at the Automated Teller Machine, ATM.
The vendors around area 11 complained about low patronage due to low human movement.
“The Closing hour for the Banks remains normal. We are closing by 4pm as on normal working day,” a security official with Kingsguard security told BusinessDay at ECO Bank located at the Federal Capital Development Authority in Garki District of the federal Capital Territory told BusinessDay.
Amaka Okafor, a banker with First City Monument Bank confirmed to BusinessDay that the surge in the number of banking customers was because most workers in Ministries and agencies of government had received their salaries and are making last minute transactions, ahead of the long holidays.
“The Salary has been paid both by some agencies of government and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council workers have been paid, as I have notices most of them am handling their account have already signaled interest of making withdrawals”
At the Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, our correspondent observed gradual ease of passenger flow at about 4.30 pm, indicating minimal traffic rush at the Airport at the time.
“There was not much rush. Perhaps the Economic realities is taking its tolls on the People. But for most senior civil servants whose family are not staying here, many of them had also came earlier in the day for their travels, “Madaki Titus, an official with Federal Airport Authority told BusinessDay.
At the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, most civil servants had closed as at 2pm, either to travel to their home town or to make final preparations for Sallah.
It was also observed that most shops in some popular Abuja markets owned and run by Muslims were shut as they were said to have traveled for the Eid
Meanwhile, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy Ike Ekweremadu on Thursday, urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the dreams and aspirations of building a strong, united, economically sound and politically stable country.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, felicitated with Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid- El-Kabir, while charging all Nigerians irrespective of religion to use the occasion to pray for the greater glory of the country.
He stated that the Muslim festival which falls on Jummat day (Friday) is unique as it carries a dual promise that all prayers offered during the Eid and Jummat have a double assurance of bringing Allah’s blessing to Muslim faithful and their country.
“It is significant that the Eid-El-Kabir and Jummat will be celebrated in one day,” Saraki said. “This tells us that all prayers offered during this solemn day will no doubt command double mercies of Allah towards us all.”
He called on all Muslims to seek Allah’s grace for the peace, unity, security and economic development of the country.
He equally enjoined Nigerians to pray for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari and God’s guidance for all persons in positions of authority – from the Presidency to the wards – as well as all those directing affairs in the private sector of the economy.
In a related development, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has enjoined Nigerians to eschew all forms of recrimination and imbibe self-sacrifice, forgiveness and other higher virtues that promote national unity and development.
Ekweremadu made the call in his goodwill message to the Muslim Umah on the occasion of Eid el-Kabir.
He said: “I congratulate our Muslim brethren on this occasion of Eid el-Kabir. This season of conviviality presents another opportunity to reflect on our national challenges and the way forward.
“No nation realises its full potentials without equity, justice, unity, and peaceful co-existence. I enjoin the Muslim Umah and indeed all of us to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, and love that the season represents in order to move the nation forward”.
While also enjoining the Muslim Umah to cease the opportunity of the Sallah to recommit the nation into God’s hand, the Deputy President of the Senate wished the Muslim Umah a merry and hitch-free Eid el-Kabir celebration.
