By Saheed Afolabi and Motolani AbdulGafar
Muslim faithfuls are still lamenting the galloping prices of rams a few hours to the Eid-el-Kabr festival tomorrow.
Though slaughtering ram(s) is part of the religious doctrine for all eligible Muslims for sacrifice during the festival, it is not compulsory for a Muslim who has no wherewithal to do so.
At the time when the costs of food items are at higher rate, it is expected that people would have low celebration of festivals.
However, despite the high cost of rams and other items, a survey by ECHONEWS revealed that some Muslims were still making efforts not to deny themselves the ecstasy of the festival.
As at Sunday when this report was filed, few Muslims patronised the ram sellers, getting their rams in preparation for the Sallah.
Some of the Muslims who spoke to ECHONEWS said since they could not have elaborate celebration last year due to outbreak of Covid-19, they have to celebrate it this year.
Some of the ram sellers confirmed moderate sale despite high cost of the animals.
The market survey by ECHONEWS revealed that the minimum price of a sizeable ram is between N50,000 and N80,000. A medium size ram costs between N90,000 and N150,000depending on the seller and location.Bigger rams cost as high as N450,000 to N520,000.
Cows have also become expensive as a medium size costs about N190,000.
The Seriki of Ram sellers in Oke Afa, Ejigbo, Adamu Ibrahim disclosed that the prices of rams in this festive period have gone higher this year compared to previous years.
He noted that transportation cost of bring the animals down to Lagos from the North contributed to the high cost of the rams and cows.
For example, he said to transport a full truck of rams of about 200 to 250 rams from the North down to Lagos, one would spend about N450,000.
Saheed Alimi who deals in selling cows and rams at Pako bus stop Isolo opposite the plank market said: “The prices of cows and rams are on the high side and they keep increasing by the day. For example, a ram that was sold at the rate of N50,000 last year is sold for N120,000 this year. The same thing applies to the cows as a price of cow which was about N150,000 last year now go for N250,000 to N300,000 this year. Also, a cow which we sold for N500,000 last year is now between N700,000 and N800,000.”
Alhaji Abdulrahman Saleh from Yobe State who also specialises only in rams and goats disclosed that it is normal for increase in the prices of rams.
“Its normal for price of rams to be on the increase because there is nothing that is not on the rise in Nigeria at the moment. So, automatically it also affects the price of rams and goats. The price of ram (wooder) now is N140,000 which was about N70,000 last year, same also applies to the goats whose prices range from N25,000 to N60,000 depending on the size.
“For now, people aren’t showing up like previous years but we are hopeful of getting sales even on Sallah day because people will still troop out in their numbers to buy the rams because some don’t have a place to keep it, so they prefer buying it on Sallah day.”
Speaking on their preparation for the Sallah, Alhaji Ridwan Suenu,a resident of Ejigbo, said he is preparing like all other Muslims in the country.
“I am preparing like all other Muslims and by the grace of God, I am going to slaughter a ram if Allah gives me the capacity, though rams are expensive compared to last year and we all know why. I will spend the festival like a gentle man.”
Mr. AbdulRasaq Shittu, a native of Oyo who resides in Isolo said he and his family members have decided not to travel to their home town for the festival as usual but hinted that he has got a ram if N85,000 to slaughter for the festival.
However, the Chief Imam of Ejigbo, Alhaji Mikhail Sanni admonished the Muslim faithfuls not to force themselves to get ram by all means, emphasising that killing a ram is not a must for those who do not have the means.