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Tourists lament cancellation of 2025 Eid-el-Fitr Durbar in Kano

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Several tourists have expressed disappointment over the abrupt cancellation of the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr Durbar, a popular traditional horse-riding festival, in Kano State.

More than 160 tourists had traveled to Kano to witness the annual Sallah Durbar, which is renowned for its grandeur and cultural significance. The cancellation, announced shortly before the event, left many visitors disheartened.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kano, Mr. Virgil Taylor, a tourist from the United States who spent a year planning his trip, described the experience as disheartening. He arrived in Nigeria on March 28, 2025, only to learn of the Durbar’s cancellation.

“Kano Durbar, as I understood from my research, was the biggest Durbar to visit. I only learned that the Durbar was canceled when I arrived in Kano. I was terribly disappointed because I had made significant financial commitments to the trip, arranging everything in advance,” Taylor said.

The first-time visitor to Nigeria noted that the Durbar represented a unique and historic opportunity for him, one he had long anticipated. Despite the setback, he appreciated the efforts of the Executive Secretary of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, Mr. Ahmad Yusuf, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, for providing alternative experiences for tourists.

Taylor, however, urged the Federal Government to minimize the issuance of security threats that could deter investors and tourists from visiting Nigeria. “Despite the financial cost, I consider my visit a blessing and would consider returning, hoping not to be disappointed again,” he added.

Similarly, Lekan Yusha’u, a UK-based Nigerian and polo agent, expressed frustration over the cancellation. He noted that his visit, along with the invitation extended to his friends, was largely inspired by UNESCO’s recognition of the Durbar as part of its heritage program.

“They have never ridden a horse in such a long procession. My goal, along with a couple of friends, was to ensure that within the next year, we put the Kano Durbar procession in the Guinness World Records. Kano Durbar has the largest gathering of horses in the world, with over 4,000 horses participating in a single procession,” Yusha’u said.

He revealed that he had spent over £6,000 on his flight alone, excluding other expenses, and had met over 160 foreign tourists who had come for the same event.

Yusha’u urged the Kano State Government to capitalize on the event’s global appeal, emphasizing that the Kano Durbar is unique to northern Nigeria.

“Both the state and federal government should not disappoint us again by canceling the Kano Durbar,” he said.

The annual Durbar festival in Kano is a cultural showcase that attracts visitors from around the world, featuring colorful horse parades, traditional dances, and displays of local heritage.

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What is acute myocardial infarction? Ozzy Osbourne’s cause of death explained as death certificate is released

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His grieving widow, Sharon, and two of his kids, Jack and Kelly, visit tributes in Birmingham

Ozzy Osbourne‘s cause of death has been confirmed—but what is an acute myocardial infarction?

It was one of three things listed on the 76-year-old Black Sabbath rocker’s death certificate, which was released yesterday afternoon.

The document cited out of hospital cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction as the dad-of-five’s cause of death.

An acute myocardial infarction is a medical term for a heart attack, and in Mr Osbourne’s case it was connected to coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease is when fatty deposits (plaques) build up in the arteries.

This substance can narrow the arteries—a process called atherosclerosis—which reduces blood flow and increases the risks of heart attacks.

Furthermore, chunks of this plaque, which is made predominantly of cholesterol and other fat cells, can break off and cause obstructions, which can also trigger a heart attack if it affects the blood’s movement through the body.

Out of hospital cardiac arrest refers to falling ill outside of hospital—in Mr Osbourne’s case he became unwell while at home—and according to the British Heart Foundation, this is a medical emergency which fewer than 1 in 10 people survive.

The Black Sabbath star died aged 76 at his Buckinghamshire estate

 

Mr Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, and autonomic dysfunction refers to bodily functions which are affected by the condition.

The British Heart Foundation claims that in the UK, coronary heart disease—which includes heart attacks—is the cause of 66,000 deaths each year.

This translates to roughly 180 deaths per day, or one death every eight minutes.

In England and Wales alone, over 55,000 deaths were attributed to coronary artery disease—also referred to as ischemic heart disease—in 2019.

While Parkinson’s Disease itself doesn’t kill, studies have linked it to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease—including coronary artery disease.

This is because Parkinson’s affects people’s ability to walk and move around, making it near impossible for them to maintain a basic level of fitness, which keeps the vascular system healthy and functioning.

His passing came just weeks after he appeared on stage for his farewell concert at Villa Park stadium in his native Birmingham.

Due to Parkinson’s-related mobility issues, he performed while seated on a giant black throne.

Due to mobility issues caused by Parkinson’s Disease, Ozzy performed seated on a throne

 

His grieving widow, Sharon, and two of his kids, Jack and Kelly, visit tributes in Birmingham

 

The concert, three weeks before his death, saw him reunite with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for the first time since 2005.

More than 42,000 fans packed into the venue for the Back To The Beginning show, during which he told the crowd in his final speech: ‘You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

There were more than 5 million sign-ups to the concert’s livestream, too.

The concert raised £140 million for charities close to Mr Osbourne’s heart, Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.

In a statement shared last month, Ozzy’s family said he died ‘surrounded by love’, adding: ‘It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.’

Mr Osbourne passed away on July 22 surrounded by his family at his Buckinghamshire Estate, where he was subsequently laid to rest last week.

The private funeral was attended by his family and a host of rock royalty.

His widow Sharon, 72, and their children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack, were joined by stars including Marilyn Manson and Ozzy’s lead guitarist Zakk Wylde during the event at the family’s 250-acre estate.

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David Adewuyi: Are solar panels safe for my building rooftop – What you must know

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For the last two decades in Nigeria, there have been massive adoption of solar power systems as an alternative power source to the age long unstable power supply, high electricity bills and also as a profitable alternative to fossil fuel generating plant.

Generally, those that make the switch to this innovative solution have their solar panels installed on their roof tops in other to harvest adequate sunshine which is the source of energy that is DC (Direct Current). The direct current is then converted into AC (Alternating Current) used in powering their homes or business places.

In recent times, there have been videos circulating the internet showing houses on fire with captions such as, “solar panels burnt down the house”, “stop putting solar panels on your roofs” and so on. This has created panic in the solar sector and has become a cause of concern from some existing and intending solar users to use their roofs.

 

What is a solar panels?

A solar panel also known as photovoltaic (PV) panel is a major component of a solar system that converts photons from the sunlight into electrical direct current(DC) which is then used to power a house through an inverter or without an inverter if the appliances in use are DC appliances.

Solar panels are majorly made up of silicon solar cells, glass covering ,encapsulant, aluminum frame and junction box with extending short MC4 cables. So, can solar panels cause fire on your roof? Let’s find out in this article.

Why solar panels are installed on the roof?

As I earlier stated in the introduction, the primary reason for having solar panels on the rooftop is for better harvesting of sunlight and to avoid shadows as much as possible. This is why it has always been the general spot where residential and some commercial solar panels are installed.

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Police recruitment: PSC chairman warns against racketeering

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A head of official announcement for the recruitment of Police cadet ASP, inspectors, the Police Service Commission has warned that it will deal decisively with anybody who intends to involve himself in any form of racketeering or fraud in the recruitment of qualified Nigerians into the Nigeria Police Force.

Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, in a statement said the Commission will soon begin the processes for this year’s exercise which will include Cadet ASPs and Inspectors.

The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd), mni, gave the warning when he paid a courtesy call on the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Kayode Oladele Esq, and its Management team on Wednesday, 30th of July, 2025.

DIG Argungu, who led a PSC team that included Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission, warned that any unacceptable behaviour, sharp practices or untoward acts during the recruitment processes will be resisted and deviants sanctioned.

He maintained that though the date for another recruitment of qualified Nigerians into the NPF has not been fixed, there can’t be a better time to seek the partnership and cooperation of the Federal Character Commission as one of the reliable and pivotal stakeholders in the Police recruitment process.

The PSC Chairman assured that there must be transparency, accountability and equity in the recruitment process.

The issue of discretion, waiver, or replacement, he said, negates the principle of fairness and equity, and so must be totally avoided.

Welcoming his guests, Hon. Kayode Oladele, Esq, the Federal Character Commission boss, saw the courtesy call as not only a demonstration of inter-agency cooperation but also a testament to a shared commitment to the ideals of fairness, justice, equity and national cohesion as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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