Nigerian Muslim faithful Wednesday joined their counterparts in other parts of the world on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration which signaled the end of the 30-day fasting in the month of Ramadan.
Although the celebration was low-key in view of the rising costs of food and services, reports however have it that the celebration was hitch-free.
This year’s event was rather unusual as it was devoid of the normal sharing of foods and travelling to be with families.
This is coming at time the nation’s food inflation is put at around 37 per cent, a development that made the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to urge the federal government on the need to fix the challenges of inflation and insecurity.
Like in most parts of the country, the event went on smoothly in Lagos where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined other faithful to observe the two-rakat prayer.
…Event as low key
Unlike the previous years, the declining standard of living, occasioned by the rise in prices of food and services, made the event low key.
For instance, a resident of Abesan Estate in Mosan Okunola LCDA area of Lagos state, Alhaji Kayode Akintola, who in the past would share food to adherents of the two religions, begged friends for his inability to do same this year.
The usual fanfare was missing in most parts of the city with many grappling with the realities of the current situation.
Akintola said: “Normally, I used to share food among my non-Muslim friends, but this year, I have tactically avoided that. I only went to the mosque to pray and then attended only to my immediate family needs.”
He said the high cost of food items to him is the beginning of wisdom, noting that “it is not about reducing, I am tired, we aren’t getting friendly on the prices at all, it’s not funny.”
Also, Alhaji Abimbola Oke lamented that for the first time, he couldn’t take his family out to visit relatives as was his tradition.
“Things are just not as they used to be. The high cost of things is suffocating,” he added.
Frozen food dealers were not left out as they expressed their displeasure over the poor electricity supply and the cost of frozen foods.
Mrs Adeboye, a frozen food dealer, said the poor electricity supply was alarming and had caused a lot of damage to her business.
She said: “My big generator which normally supports when there is no electricity power is not functioning well and we have been experiencing poor electricity supply.
“Most of my frozen foods are spoiled, in fact, I am frustrated over the situation, it’s really tough on all of us, may God help us out of this mess.”
In a survey, a Kings’ oil, formerly N17, 000 per carton, now goes for N23, 500, while some sell at N25,000. Chicken flavour Maggi is now N25,000 from the previous N15,000.
A cartoon of fish at the Ipaja market is now sold for N80, 000 while a bag of rice is now oscillating between N88,000 and N90,000.
According to a trader, Mrs. Rashidat Balogun, the difficulties being faced in sustaining customers as a result of the hike in food prices is unbearable.
She asserted that prices of goods were still manageable in late 2023, but suddenly skyrocketed, thus leading to further depreciation in customer patronage.
She said: “If you buy an item of N1, 000 today, it will be N1,200 tomorrow. If you are buying one carton today, tomorrow is half for the same price because everything is going higher every day.
“I agree there is no money in the town, if there’s money, it wouldn’t be like this. Let me tell you that Kings’ oil, formerly N17, 000 per carton, now goes for N23, 500, some are selling at N25, 000. Chicken flavour Maggi was N20, 000 last week, but rose to N25, 000 this week.”
The trader said she had to drag her husband to the market for him to have firsthand information of the ugly development.
While a retailer, Ibrahim appealed to the government to Increase workers’ salaries and find a lasting solution to increase in prices of foods.
Also, Mariam, a trader who sells food items at Iyana Ipaja market, said the patronage this period had been low, adding that customers could only buy a few things.
“We, the traders and our customers are not happy with the current economic situation of the country, as consumers could barely afford to buy goods because of the hike in prices.
“As you can see, the traders are not in a festive mood as there is no hustling or bustling that usually characterises the season,” she said.
… Borno, Adamawa, Yobe observe peaceful Eid-el-Fitr
Meanwhile, thousands of Muslim faithful trooped out in Maiduguri, Yola and Damaturu – the capitals of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, respectively, to observe prayers for the Eid-el-Fitr.
The Eid-el-Fitr prayers held peacefully in the three states, known as the hotbeds of violence at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency.
There had been past festivities that were disrupted by the insurgent group.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and National Vice Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Ali Bukar Dalori, were among dignitaries that attended the two-raka’at prayer Wednesday in Maiduguri.
A colourful durbar was organised by the Shehu of Borno to mark the occasion.
The state’s Chief Imam, Shettima Mamman Saleh, led the prayer session at the Borno Central Eid ground, Ramat Square.
Delivering his khutba (sermon), Imam Idaini enjoined the Muslim Ummah to continue observing virtues learnt during the 30-day Ramadan fast.
The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, led members of the Borno Emirates Council.
Other dignitaries in attendance include the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, members of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Bukar Tijani, and Head of Service, Mallam Fannami, among other top officials and APC executives.
In his message to people of the state, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum called on citizens to intensify their prayers for the total restoration of peace in the state and other parts of Nigeria.
“Glory be to Almighty Allah for allowing us to witness this year’s Eid festival. I urge the people of Borno State to intensify their prayers for peace to reign in Borno and Nigeria.
“I also want to urge the people of Borno State to be law-abiding and patient with the government. We are doing everything possible to reduce the hardship faced by our people,” Zulum stated.
Governor Zulum noted that while the emergency gas plant experienced some engineering faults, both the state and federal governments were working on how to exploit the hydroelectric sources to provide electricity to Maiduguri.
Zulum said: “I am aware Borno State has been witnessing blackouts due to the vandalisation of the electricity transmission towers along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway. As a result, the people of Maiduguri Metropolis and its environs have been witnessing water shortage.”
He said: “I want to assure the people of Borno that government will do everything possible to restore electricity to Maiduguri.”
In Yola, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the Waziri of Adamawa, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri joined other faithful at the prayer ground, with Imam Ahmadu Bobboi leading the session.
In his sermon, Bobboi urged Muslims to live in peace and embrace the spirit of forgiveness and tolerance.
He prayed for peace and stability of Adamawa State and the nation in general.
A colourful durbar was also held by horsemen from the 36 districts of Adamawa Emirate.
In Yobe, Deputy Governor Idi Gubana led government delegation to the prayer observed at Damaturu Central Mosque.
The Chief Imam, Sheikh Goni Kamsulum, who led the prayers, enjoined the Muslims to continue practicing the lessons they learned about keeping brotherhood during the month of Ramadan.
He also called on parents to monitor their wards and the company they keep to ensure discipline.
In his Sallah message presented by his deputy, Governor Mai Mala Buni congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the one-month Ramadan fast and wished them a peaceful celebration.
He reminded the people of the need to continue praying for the unity, peace, security, and prosperity of Yobe and Nigeria in general.
…ACF’s Sallah message to FG on nation’s challenges
And in its Sallah message, the ACF felicitated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and globally, even as it tasked the federal government on measures to mitigate security and economic challenges facing the people.
Speaking Wednesday in its end of Ramadan message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF decried the economic challenges dwindling the purchasing power of average Nigerians, inflationary pricing of goods and services and the attendant fall in the standard of living, unemployment and hunger.
It, however, urged against reckless spending by government officials and uncoordinated distribution of palliatives that has caused more problems than proffer solutions.
“ACF notes that lessons must have been learnt from the Ramadan period and in particular from partaking in the month-long devotion to sacrifice, spiritual introspection, compassion, deep sober reflections on the meaning of life and death as well as of God’s benevolence and mercies, rejection of sybaritic luxuries and frivolities, fellowship with and goodwill to fellow beings, especially the needy, in our communities. ACF notes the many tough challenges that ordinary citizens currently face, including runaway inflation, unemployment, rapid fall in standards of living, insurgency, terrorism and banditry, etc.
“Most regrettably, these problems are more dire, acute or even chronic in the Northern states of Nigeria. Sadly, public policy responses, in line with the covenant between citizens and the state, to such problems, remain weak and ineffective at best. ACF calls for urgent attention, by government at all levels, to the demonstrable rapid decline in living conditions of citizens occasioned by recent government policies such as removal of subsidies on the prices of petroleum products, floating of the Naira, and astronomical hike in the cost of poorly supplied electricity.
“The burdens of such policies are becoming too heavy, being portent ingredients of citizens’ discontent, social chaos and unrests. Recent episodes of looting of public and private goods in several locations are pointers of what lies ahead if things are allowed to slide unchecked. ACF calls on citizens to remain steadfast in prayers. God Almighty has a purpose for and the answers to all tribulations that people face. Daunting as it seems, ACF steadfastly envisions a prosperous Nigeria where justice, equity and hope will prevail over despair and hopelessness.
“Against national current challenges, ACF: Calls for roll out of rational public policies aimed at the qualitative easing of purchasing power challenges, create opportunities for economic empowerment; Calls on public functionaries to shun provocative profligacy and reckless ego-massaging and self-serving spending of tax-payer funds; Warns against very poorly organised and chaotic distribution of “palliatives”. ACF prefers simple, transparent and effective community-based distribution system with adequate security coverage,” the body said.
The ACF also “warns the general public against resort to looting of public and private storage facilities; vehicles in transit ferrying goods across the country. Economic challenges should present no excuse for brigandage, lawlessness, as ultimately, it is the same ‘ordinary citizen’ that experience losses in lives, limbs and property; Solicits support and prayers for Nigeria’s security agents in their resolve to rid the country of criminality, insecurity and instability; and prays that all terrorists, bandits and other criminals on rampage will reflect on their fruitless intentions, repent and rejoin the culture of peace and compassion.”