By Bala Ajiya

DAMATURU -As Muslims all over the world celebrate Sallah, the celebration was, however, without excitement in Damaturu and other towns in Yobe State due to the present down turn in the economy.

Most Muslims, especially civil servants, were disappointed as there was no salary or salary advance for them to  celebrate the Sallah. To make matters worse, the Governor who left the state for Saudi Arabia on the lesser Hajj a week before the end of the fasting together with his top government officials, was yet to return.

Even the normal goodwill message for Muslim faithfuls in the state was not broadcast because the governor and his top officials are not in the country.

The atmosphere in the state was dull as the people were not happy. The governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam many feel, has not demonstrated enough concern for the welfare of the people.

It would be recalled that the late Governor Mamman Ali, in order to make the Muslims  enjoy the sallah celebration last year, paid salary advance to all civil servants, a measure that was commended by civil servants in the state including Christians who also benefitted from the salary advance.

Our correspondent who went round the market in Damaturu observed that there were less activities as only few people patronised the traders in the market.