Emir of Daura hospitalised, Buhari offers prayers

President Muhammadu Buhari  on Wednesday prayed for the quick recovery of the Emir of his Daura hometown, Alhaji Umar Farouk-Umar.

The monarch was admitted to the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina State, amid fears of COVID-19 spread in Daura, though the cause of Farouk-Umar’s illness was not officially announced.

This came as the governor of the state, Mr Aminu Masari, shut the emir’s palace, saying that the decision was to prevent the spread of the infection.

“No ulterior motive to the decision to quarantine the palace.

“Palace is a place where people visit all the time; we take this decision to contain spread of coronavirus.

“Reports reaching me reveal that people in rural areas do not obey the order (on mass gathering). People gather during marriages, naming ceremonies, burials and other social gatherings.

“I have directed the emirs of Katsina and Daura to deal decisively with anyone violating the order”, the governor stated while giving an update on COVID -19 in Katsina.

Masari disclosed that the National Centre for Disease Control had already taken the samples of 89 people from the emir’s palace.

In his message, Buhari said he ‘’received the news of the emir’s sudden illness with concern and expressed best wishes for the speedy recovery of the monarch.’’

The President added, “I join the Daura Emirate and the entire people of Katsina State in praying for the recovery of our humble and dedicated emir, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar.”

Presidential spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, said in a statement that Buhari was satisfied with the progress the emir had made in his recovery.