News
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
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zamfara Central has publicly called on philanthropist Yazeed Danfulani to contest for the senatorial seat in the National Assembly in the 2027 elections, citing his extensive humanitarian contributions and commitment to community development.
In a statement released on Sunday, the group’s spokesperson, Nuraddeen Garba Gusau, emphasised that the growing support for Danfulani transcends mere political sentiment.
“This is about Yazeed Danfulani’s proven dedication to the welfare of our people, demonstrated consistently without ever holding elected office,” Gusau said.
Danfulani, a prominent figure in Zamfara Central, has earned widespread admiration for his charitable initiatives.
He has funded the education of numerous children, offering opportunities to those who previously faced bleak prospects.
” His generosity also extends to providing financial and material aid to the less fortunate, helping families meet their basic needs.”
He said “Beyond individual support, Danfulani has bolstered small-scale entrepreneurs by distributing cars, tricycles, and financial capital, enabling many to achieve self-reliance.
“His efforts have significantly improved livelihoods across the region. Additionally, as a key supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Danfulani has played a vital role in strengthening the party’s unity and presence in the state.
The coalition believes Danfulani’s track record as a private citizen is a testament to his potential as a legislator.
“His selfless contributions are merely a glimpse of what he could achieve with the authority to legislate and attract development at the national level,” Gusau added.
News
Kaduna: Group calls EFCC, National Assembly, Kaduna state government’s intervention on alleged diversion of public funds
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, Eagle Brain Youth Transformative and Development Initiative (EBYTDI), Mr Daniel Ejembi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly and Kaduna state government to intervene on alleged hijacking of a federal constituency project intended for public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued by the Executive Director described the alleged diversion of the public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a.
According to him, “This diversion of public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a. We demand swift intervention by the Kaduna State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Assembly to recover misused funds and prioritize education for all.”
The statement stated that investigation reveals that a federal project sponsored by Yakubu Umar Barde, former member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, was alleged to have been unlawfully diverted to Fatima Academy, a private school owned by Abdulhadi Abubakar.
Ejembi explained, “The project, initially earmarked for constructing a public school, was instead executed at Fatima Academy, which lacks registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).”
He added that the contractor, Amrah Farms Nigeria Limited (RC-1523474), with directors including Abdulyekin Bello Tahir and Bello Halimat Sadiq, executed the project in violation of its original mandate, lamenting that public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a faced severe deficits, including dilapidated classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities, and inadequate learning resources, exacerbating educational inequalities.
The Executive Director called for immediate probe into the alleged diversion of funds by relevant anti-corruption agencies and also called for urgent construction and renovation of classrooms, toilets, and perimeter fencing in the public schools.
He also appealed for the provision of desks, learning materials, and safe water systems for students and advised for legal action against unregistered institutions like Fatima Academy and accountability for involved parties.
Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday morning.
Late Pope had been in and out of hospital in the last few weeks. He made a surprise appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Vatican on Sunday.
Details Later…