The Federal Government has declared Wednesday and Thursday public holidays to enable Muslims to celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir even as prices of ram have gone beyond the roof.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, said the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the federal government.
Tunji-Ojo said that the holiday affirmed the federal government’s respect for the faith and spiritual heritage of Muslims globally.
He urged all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for Allah’s divine guidance in Nigeria, adding that the country remained in pursuit of peace, security and prosperity.
“Eid-ul-Adha is a festival of deep spiritual significance, grounded in the values of sacrifice, obedience to God and compassion for one’s fellow man.
“I send warm felicitations of the federal government to all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and in the diaspora,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Also Read: Muslims begin search for Sallah ram
Meanwhile as Muslims prepare to celebrate, prices of ram and basic ingredients have spiked in many markets, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria reveals.
At Kure and Old Gwadabe markets, Minna, tomatoes, bell peppers, and hot peppers were the most affected. RamTraders attributed the hike to scarcity and rising transportation costs.
A vegetable trader, Aliyu Magaji told NAN that prices had risen significantly over the past few weeks.
He said a large basket of tomatoes, which sold for N60,000 to N70,000 a month ago, now costs between N120,000 and N130,000.
A big paint bucket of tomatoes that previously sold for about N15,000 now goes for N30,000 to N35,000.
Magaji added that a small bag of hot pepper, previously priced at N42,000 to N45,000, now sells for N55,000 to N57,000.
He said a large bag of red bell peppers has jumped from about N80,000 to between N120,000 and N125,000.
The survey also found that a big bag of onions now sells for N45,000 to N50,000, up from N35,000, while a small bag costs N28,000 compared with N23,000 previously.
Another trader, Awwalu Tanimu, linked the price increase to the end of the cultivation season for the vegetables in most parts of the country, which had reduced supply to markets.
Tanimu explained that the short supply of tomatoes, red bell peppers, and hot peppers had caused a drastic hike in prices.
He also cited high transportation costs as another major factor.
A customer, A’isha Mohammed, decried the rising cost of vegetables and expressed concern that it could make cooking for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration difficult for many families.
Another shopper, Maimuna Abubakar, also lamented the price hike, noting that the pressure “is overwhelming” for many households.
“The situation is just overwhelming. I might only cook for my immediate family this Sallah because the quantity of tomatoes I bought for N4,000 just two weeks ago now costs N8,500, and they are not even readily available in the market,” she said.
NAN
