Coronavirus: Buhari cancels Sallah homage to Presidential Villa

- President Buhari urges the practice of coronavirus protocols as Muslims celebrate the forthcoming Eid-Al-Fitr

- Muslims will celebrate the end of the thirty days fast on Thursday, May 13, 2021

- The announcement was made by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu

President Buhari has urged everyone celebrating the forthcoming Eid-Al-Fitr to be mindful of the pandemic and ensure they adhere to the safety coronavirus protocol.

This comes as Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe get set to mark Eid Al-Fitr, a day that is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan.

According to the presidential aide, the President, First Family, his personal aides, members of the cabinet, and Service Chiefs who choose to remain in Abuja will congregate in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to observe the Eid prayers at 9 a.m, Guardian reports.

Mallam Shehu also added that there would be no traditional Sallah homage to the President by religious, community and political leaders after the prayer.

"As was the case last year, the President encourages such leaders to be content with modest celebrations at home in view of the pandemic,” he said.

The presidential aide also quoted the president as specially thanking the Ulama (Islamic Clerics) and all other religious (Muslim, Christian) leaders who had been praying for the wellbeing of the nation and its people.

”The President, in addition, takes this opportunity to condole with all who lost family members due to what he described as the ‘madness’ going on in parts of the country,” he added.

President Buhari called on all local leaders to talk to their youths and warn them against being used to incite and foment violence.

“If we attack institutions guarding us, who will protect us in future emergencies?” the president wondered.