The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has declared Wednesday, July 19, as a public holiday in the state in commemoration of this year’s Hijrah 1445.
Wednesday, according to the Muslims, marks the first day of Muharram 1445AH, the beginning of the Islamic New Year.
The holiday was declared in a circular signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
While congratulating the Muslim faithful on the commencement of the New Year, the governor enjoined them to “use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity and sustainability of the state in particular and the country in general”.
Recall that Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, had declared Wednesday, as the first day of MUHARRAM 1445H, which is equivalent to the 29th of Dhul hijja, 1444 AH.
The monarch stated this in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto, Yahaya Muhammad Boyi.
Boyi stated that the Sultanate Council announced the decision due to the lack of positive sighting reports of the crescent in Nigeria.
