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FCT residents celebrate Sallah amidst high cost of rams, foodstuff
Muslim faithful in Bwari community in the FCT, celebrated the 2024 Eid-el Kabir amid high cost of rams and other food items, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Some of the residents told NAN in separate interviews on Sunday in Abuja, that the economic situation would not deter their joy and cost them the celebration.
Mr Aliyu Nafada, a Muslim faithful in Sabon-Gari community, Bwari, said the cost of ram had increased and was almost unaffordable due to the prevailing economic challenges.
“I went to Dei-dei market last week to purchase a big ram but ended up with a small one because I could not afford the big one.
“The one I ended up buying cost me N85,000, while the big one I wanted to buy was sold for a negotiable price of N190, 000.
“Many buyers went there and couldn’t afford the rams and they went home disappointed,” he said.
Nafada said that he also bought perishables like tomatoes and peppers at exorbitant prices, adding that no matter the situation, the celebration would hold.
Mr Rilwanu Isah, a commercial motorcyclist, said that people were only trying to fulfill their religious obligations but Allah did not put a burden on anyone, who could not afford the sacrifice of ram.
He said: “I could not afford a ram last year and even this year because the price keeps going higher due to the inflation in the economy.
“If Allah permits me to buy, I will, but people must know that Allah has not put a burden on any Muslim who cannot afford a ram.
”It is good if you can afford a ram, if you can’t, just celebrate either way.”
Isah said that he bought just two kilograms of beef for N5, 500 each, tomatoes worth N5, 000 and four ‘mudu’ of rice for N9, 600, to cook and make merry with his family, friends and neighbours.
However, another Muslim faithful, Malam Adamu Sale, a public servant, told NAN that with the help of his wife, a business woman, they were able to buy one ram at N220,000, for the celebration.
Sale said that since his family could not afford to travel for the holiday, as they usually do each year, it cost him less to celebrate in Bwari alongside other friends and neighbors.
“As you can see, we just came back from the praying ground to thank God for today, we will go home to perform our sacrifice, eat and share with others.
”After that, we can go out to see places of recreation, if not today, tomorrow.
“We will definitely celebrate, irrespective of the economic challenges because we are grateful to Allah for life.”
He also noted that, celebrating the day on a Sunday with Christians going to Church was a sign of unity and a blessing.
A NAN correspondent, who visited some ram selling points and markets in the area, reports that an average-sized ram was sold from N80,000, with some going as high as a negotiable price of N500, 000.
A big basket of tomatoes was sold for N190, 000 as compared to its previous price of N150,000 in May.
A smaller baskets and mini buckets of the perishable item was sold from N10,000 to N15,000 respectively.
NAN further reports that sacrificing a ram during Sallah, also known as Eid al-Adha, holds profound religious significance for Muslims.
It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command, demonstrating immense faith and submission.(NAN
The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision that recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). In a decisive ruling, a five-member panel declared that the Court of Appeal lacked the legal authority to determine the party’s leadership matters.
In a unanimous verdict, the highest court in the land stated that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction over the matter. The panel observed that since the case revolved around the internal leadership structure of the Labour Party, it fell outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
The ruling reinforced the long-standing principle that leadership disputes within political parties should be resolved internally, rather than through judicial intervention.
The Supreme Court stressed that leadership struggles within political parties are purely internal matters. According to legal principles, courts should not interfere in such issues, as they fall under the party’s constitution and governance framework. By upholding this legal doctrine, the apex court reaffirmed that political parties must settle their leadership crises independently.
The Supreme Court upheld the appeal lodged by Senator Nenadi Usman and a fellow appellant, ruling that their claims were valid. Their appeal challenged the earlier judgment, arguing that it was flawed due to jurisdictional overreach. After thorough legal scrutiny, the Supreme Court found merit in their argument and ruled in their favour.
The legal battle also involved a cross-appeal filed by supporters of Julius Abure, who sought to challenge the decision against their leader. However, the Supreme Court dismissed this cross-appeal, declaring it unsubstantiated and lacking merit. The ruling effectively ended the legal contest over the Labour Party’s chairmanship, cementing the judiciary’s stance on non-interference in party leadership disputes.
Bitcoin experienced sharp fluctuations following President Donald Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement, initially surging to $88,000 before dropping to $82,000.
By April 3, it stabilized around $83,000, with the broader crypto market down over 4%. Major altcoins like Ethereum and Solana also declined over 6%, hitting multi-month lows.
Analysts see the tariff news as reducing market uncertainty, potentially attracting institutional investors.
Despite higher-than-expected rates, experts believe the clarity could help Bitcoin regain momentum toward $90,000. Bitcoin ETFs, led by BlackRock, recorded $218 million in inflows on April 2, reversing prior outflows.
Kraken’s Thomas Perfumo challenged the idea that institutional interest stabilizes crypto, emphasizing that volatility signals demand for a scarce asset.
Some analysts viewed the sell-off as an overreaction to trade policy concerns, highlighting Bitcoin’s resilience as a store of value.
With ETFs showing strong demand, Bitcoin’s price may stabilize and rise, though market participants remain cautious, monitoring trade policies and economic conditions.
Violent clashes between pastoralist groups and settled farming communities have long been a challenge in South Sudan.
However, the recent outbreak of violence in the northern Ruweng Administrative Area has further heightened concerns over the nation’s fragile peace. At least 30 people lost their lives after an armed youth group launched a brutal attack on a northern South Sudanese town, according to local officials.
The incident, linked to an escalating cattle raid, saw the town briefly fall under the control of the attackers before security forces regained control.
The violence began when a group of armed youth stole lambs earlier in the week. Security forces quickly intervened, forcing the raiders to retreat. However, instead of dispersing, the group reorganised and launched a more aggressive attack on Abiemnom the following day.
Local Minister of Information, Simon Chol Mialith, confirmed that despite resistance from local youth and security personnel, the town was overrun by the Mayom armed youth. The attack led to significant casualties and destruction before security forces were able to reclaim the town.
On Wednesday, the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) successfully pushed the attackers out, restoring a semblance of calm. However, the scale of the destruction was already severe, with over 40 individuals injured in addition to the fatalities.
Although reports suggest that some of the deceased were members of the armed groups, official confirmation remains pending.
The attack comes at a time of growing instability in South Sudan, with tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar intensifying. This political rivalry threatens to unravel the delicate 2018 peace agreement that ended the nation’s five-year civil war.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with continuous unrest. Despite its vast oil resources, the country remains impoverished, with conflicts like these exacerbating economic and social difficulties.