NIGERIA: The northern Nigerian state where the United States staged Christmas Day air strikes targeting militants is preparing for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and trying to banish thoughts of the violence that has plagued the region. Sokoto state is home to Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, who typically announces the start of Ramadan in the west African country, during which Muslims fast for 29 to 30 days.