With the yearly Ramadan fasting commencing in less than 48 hours, Muslim faithful in Nigeria may face harder times considering
Gbenga Akinfenwa, Sulaimon Salau , AbdulGaniyu Alabi , Murtala Adewale , Mansur Aramide , Rotimi Agboluaje and Azeez Olorunlomeru the current food price crisis ravaging the country. Although many faithful see the situation• Price Of Vegetables Drops In Kano
They lamented that it was becoming a yearly ritual for them to observe Ramadam under a tensed economic atmosphere, recalling that many faithful were unable to observe the religious fast last year, as they couldn’t meet up with the basic needs. In Ilorin, Kwara State, a basket of ‘tatase’ previously sold between N5, 000 to N6, 000 is currently selling for N30, 000, while a basket of tomato that was between N3, 500 and N5, 000 has jumped to N60, 000.
“Even before the Ramadan, prices of food were so high to the extent that a serious and threatening drop in sales was recorded; increase in prices is an ongoing experience. Another resident, who is looking forward to observe the religious obligation, Alhaja Hafsat Hassan, said prices of food items are artificially inflated, warning against the potential consequences.
Muslims in the state decried the prevailing high cost of commodities but said they would endeavour to observe the fast because it is compulsory for them. For instance, a big basket of tomatoes at Yankaba market currently costs N12,000 against N30,000 it cost two months ago. A 70kg sack of scotch pepper costs N20, 000 but it was sold for N60, 000 about two months ago. Similarly, the price of a 100kg bag of onion dropped from N120, 000 to N25, 000 at Goundutse market in Karfi, Kura Local Council of the state. Nevertheless, the price of a 70 kg sack of pepper stood at N65, 000.
In Kuto, Panseke, Omida and Olomoore markets, the prices of food items have increased tremendously. A Civil Servant, Mrs. Afusat Lawal, who lamented the challenge, noted that as Muslims begin the Ramadan, the price of food items has increased. The Chief Imam of Alhaji Isa Elelu Central Mosque, Ilorin, Imam Abubakar Kamal, who also predicted harder times for Nigerian Muslim faithful during this year’s Ramadan, urged the government to adopt price control mechanisms to arrest the situation.
He said: “My advice to Muslims this Ramadan in the face of economic downturn is to avoid waste, eat moderately and share what they have with their neighbours. Speaking in the same vein, the Immediate past Vice Chancellor, Ahman Pategi University and Board member of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria , Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, said the fundamental principles of coping with difficult times lie with faith, discipline and patience, urging Nigerians to embrace these wholeheartedly.
“My advice is that we use the blessed month of Ramadan to draw closer to Allah. We should eschew sins and embrace righteousness. Let everyone accept responsibility and focus on being a better human being. Let’s be kind to one another; let’s be helpful; let’s be humane in the way we deal with one another because we are all accountable as we are all leaders at various levels,” Adedimeji said.
The National Human Rights Commission has raised the alarm over the increasing rate of child abandonment in Nigeria, saying that it received 339 complaints concerning the issue in February 2024. The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress , Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has taken the campaign for the entrenchment of internal democracy in Africa to neighbouring Ghana.