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Kannywood Has Never Rejected Me Based on Religion or Ethnicity-Aboki

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Prince Daniel Aboki

 

Prominent Nigerian filmmaker Prince Daniel (ABOKI) has addressed recent media reports suggesting that he faced rejection in Kannywood due to his religion and in Nollywood because of his northern roots. In an official statement released to the public, the director of *Mai Martaba* unequivocally denied these claims and sought to set the record straight.

“My attention has been drawn to some publications with headlines suggesting that Kannywood rejected me because of my religion, and Nollywood because of my region,” Prince Daniel stated. He clarified that he had not granted any interviews to any newspaper or publication regarding the matter.

Providing context, Prince Daniel explained that the misunderstanding may have stemmed from remarks he made during a question-and-answer session at Nollywood in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, earlier this month. He described how, while discussing the challenges faced during the making of *Mai Martaba* and its journey to the Oscars, he had touched upon issues such as insecurity in the North-West, financial constraints, and the complexities of navigating Nigeria’s segmented film industry.

According to Prince Daniel, he had mentioned feeling caught between the perception of Kannywood viewing his work as Nollywood and Nollywood identifying it as Kannywood, due to his northern background. “This explanation was made with the best of intentions—to help the audience in the room understand the segmentation of the industry in Nigeria and how challenging it was for us at the time,” he explained.

He emphasized that his comment was misunderstood and clarified his relationship with Kannywood. “For clarity, Kannywood has never rejected me on the basis of ethnicity or religion. In fact, it has been my greatest pillar of support as a filmmaker,” Prince Daniel affirmed, citing the overwhelming support he received from audiences and industry practitioners during *Mai Martaba*’s cinema exposure.

Prince Daniel expressed gratitude for the inclusive environment within Kannywood, where he has practiced his craft and enjoyed immense support without prejudice. “I say with every sense of responsibility that I am a Nigerian filmmaker, though of northern extraction. I reside in Kano, where I practice my craft, springboarding from Kannywood,” he added.

Looking ahead, the filmmaker reiterated his commitment to working with his colleagues and the founding fathers of Kannywood to elevate the industry’s standards. He underscored his mission to share northern stories with the world and create employment opportunities for youth, challenging stereotypical narratives that associate the North with conflict and banditry.

Prince Daniel concluded by reaffirming his dedication to fostering unity and excellence within Nigeria’s film industry. “I remain committed to working with my colleagues and the founding fathers of Kannywood to elevate the standard of our industry—telling our stories to the world and creating employment opportunities for our youth,” he stated.

Prince Daniel’s statement serves as a clarion call for collaboration and progress in the Nigerian film industry, celebrating the diversity and richness of the nation’s cultural narratives.

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Eid-el-Fitr: Murtala Garo urges Muslims to sustain worship of Allah

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The former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo has urged the Muslim faithful to uphold dedication in the worship of Allah beyond the Ramadan period.

Garo said this in a Sallah message, on Saturday in Kano.
He congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the 2025 Ramadan fast and the Eid al-Fitr celebration.

The Galadima Garo reminded them that the teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadith, centred on peace, love, discipline, and humility.

He noted that the worship of Allah should not only be observed during Ramadan fast, but for lifelong.
While thanking Allah for the season, Murtala Sule Garo, a former Commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy Affairs, said that the celebration revolved around love, arms giving to the less privileged and peaceful co-existence with people of other religions.

Garo urged Muslims to use the period of the Sallah festivities to also pray for enduring peace in Kano and Nigeria at large.

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Sallah Durbar: Security embargo best interest of Kano, Says Emir Sanusi

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14th Emir Of Kano Muhammad Sunusi II

 

Emir of Kano and Khalifah of Tijaniyya, His Highness, Khalifah Muhammadu Sanusi II, has reacted to the recent ban imposed on Sallah Durbar, noting that the action becomes pertinent for enduring peace and development of the state.

Besides, Emir Sanusi declared that the annual traditional heritage that usually celebrated at the end of Ramadan is not a matter of life and death but a cultural symbol dated back to the 15th century.

Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was speaking while hosting eminent Islamic scholars and prominent personalities to Iftar dinner at the palace on Saturday.

The first class emir of Kano described peace as the only backbone of progress and development of any society, accepted to withdraw all planned activities of the emirate intended for the colorful Durbar, inscribed by UNESCO an intangible heritage of humanity.

Recall that the Commissioner of Police in Kano, CP Adamu Bakori under a joint security apparatus announced the ban on the proposed Sallah Durbar, citing impending security threat revealed by relevant intelligent notice.

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The Emir, however, reminded that he does not see the Eid El Fitr Durbar as “a matter of life and death”, adding that the lives and safety of Kano citizens are more paramount to him.

He, therefore, appealed to residents and the general public to remain peaceful and law abiding while cooperating with the security agencies to ensure law and order during and after the Sallah festival.

On his part, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Faruq, applauded the emir for his spirit of love and kindness. He stated that he experienced the Emir’s kindheartedness when was a lecturer at ABU in the early 1980s where he guided and supported them as his students.

The SSG expressed gratitude to the Emir for showing concern for the lives of Kano citizens, by his willingness to cancel the Eid El Fitr Durbar celebration.

Similarly, the Murshid (Chief Imam) of the National Mosque, Professor Shehu Ahmad Galadanci expressed deep appreciation to Emir Sanusi for exhibiting profound wisdom and knowledge as the leader of the Emirate.

Professor Galadanci also a former National Security Adviser aligned with the submission of the emir and emphasized that the lives and properties of people of Kano are more important than the Eid El Fitr Durbar celebration, applauding Sanusi for promoting peaceful coexistence in Kano.

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Sultanate Council Debunks Rumors on Non-Sighting of Shawwal Crescent

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The Sultanate Council has refuted claims circulating regarding the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the subsequent declaration of Eid-al-Fitr prayers on Monday. The council addressed the matter through an official statement posted on its verified Facebook page.

The post, written in Hausa, clarified that His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, has not made any formal announcement concerning the sighting of the Shawwal crescent or the date of the Eid prayer. The statement urged the public to disregard unverified reports and to await an official communication from the Sultanate.

The statement read:

*”Assalamu Alaikum. There is no place where His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, has declared that Eid-al-Fitr prayers will hold on Monday. Members of the crescent sighting committee are diligently performing their duties by gathering reports from various parts of the country.”*

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It continued:

*”At any moment, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, will make an official statement either confirming the sighting of the Shawwal crescent or otherwise. Any platform claiming that the Sultan has made a declaration about the crescent sighting is spreading false information. Please await an official announcement.”*

The statement emphasized the importance of following established protocols for crescent sighting to ensure that decisions regarding Islamic observances are made accurately and in accordance with tradition.

This development comes amidst heightened anticipation as Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe await the official confirmation to mark the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the month of Shawwal.

The Sultanate Council reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and encouraged the public to rely solely on authorized channels for updates. The crescent sighting committee is currently assessing reports from different regions of the country and will provide recommendations to the Sultan once their analysis is complete.

In the meantime, the council urged Nigerians to exercise patience and to refrain from sharing unverified information that could cause confusion or misunderstanding within the Muslim community.

 

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