Economy

Abia, Imo Muslims Livestock Dealer Blame Low-Key Sallah Celebration On Poor Economy

Published

6 months ago

June 7, 2025

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Abia, Imo Muslims Livestock Dealer Blame Low-Key Sallah Celebration On Poor Economy

Abia, Imo muslims livestock dealer blame low-key sallah celebration on poor economy. In Abia, a roadside livestock dealer, Zakiru Husseini, said that the price of ram shot up by over 100 per cent.

Across-section of Muslim faithful in Abia and Imo states have blamed the low-key Sallah celebration on the economic downturn and high cost of livestock.

Speaking in separate interviews in Umuahia and Owerri, they complained that many families could not afford to buy ram because of the price hike.

Meanwhile, some of the livestock dealers attributed the low patronage recorded during the celebration to the more than 100 per cent increase in the price of ram in the market.

They also blamed the high cost of ram on the hike in transportation cost, saying that they were spending so much to bring down the rams from the North to South.

In Abia, a roadside livestock dealer, Zakiru Husseini, said that the price of ram shot up by over 100 per cent.

Mr Husseini said that a small ram sold for N60,000 last year now goes for N170,000, while a medium-size ram, sold at about N100,000 now sells for about N300,000.

He also said that the biggest ram, sold between N200,000 and N300,000 now sells for N600,000 or more.

According to him, the cost of transporting livestock from the North to Abia had put his business under serious stress.

“In the past, it cost between N1,000 and N2,000 to transport one ram from the north to Abia, but today, I pay N6,000 for one,” he said.

According to him, the hike in transport cost also affected other livestock and traders are finding it difficult to cope.

“Three years ago, if you had N1million you could buy between 20 and 30 goats, but now it is not the same. The situation is very frustrating and discouraging for us in the business,” Mr Husseini said.

He called on the Federal Government to evolve policies that would address the issue of high cost of transportation.

Also, Mohammed Mamman said that the price of livestock, especially ram, doubled because of the high cost of feeding and transporting them to Abia.

Mr Mamman said that one ram presently sells for between N150,000 and N200,000, arguing that the amount was beyond the reach of an average Muslim.

He also said that most of his customers resorted to observing the Eid in prayers alone this year, hoping that things would improve by next year.

In a related development, reports noted that transportation cost remained stable from Umuahia to other parts of the country, even during Sallah celebration.

The fare from Umuahia to Abuja costs N22,500, Umuahia to Kaduna costs N25,000, Umuahia to Bauchi costs N30,000, Umuahia to Owerri costs N3,000 and Umuahia to Port Harcourt costs between N4,000 and N5,000.

Also, from Umuahia to Lafia is between N18,000 and N20,000, while Umuahia to Jos is N25,000.

Umuahia to Calabar costs N13,500 and Umuahia to Lagos costs between N35,000 and N41,000.

A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who identified himself only as Francis, said that transport fares were stable, the Sallah celebration notwithstanding.

Mr Francis said that he anticipated a slight increase in fares after the festival when holiday makers would be returning to their base leading to a rush.

In Imo, livestock sellers in Owerri, the state capital, lamented low patronage during the celebration.
A visit to the livestock market on Egbu Road showed that the dealers still had a large stock of unsold animals.

A trader, Usman Halilu, stated that he bought 20 rams ahead of the celebrations but had only managed to sell three as of Saturday morning.

Mr Halilu said, “I always sold at least 25 rams during festive periods in previous years.”

Mr Halilu said that a large ram, sold at about N350,000 last year, now goes for at least N400,000, while those that sold for 200,000, now sell between N260,000 and N300,000.

He blamed the hike in the price of livestock on the high cost of animal feeds and transportation.

Another livestock dealer, Hassan Aliyu, said that the cost of transportation from the North shot up significantly before the Eid celebration, which reflected in the hike in the price of the rams.

He also said that goats, sold between N80,000 and N90,000 about one month ago, now sell above N110,000, while some go for as high as N120,000.

Interstate transport fares remained stable from Owerri.
From the city to Abuja by a 14-seater sprinter bus ranges from N35,000 to N39000, and between N28,000 and N45,000 to Lagos.

Muslims Livestock Dealer

Meanwhile, prices of food items, including rice, tomatoes, onions, yam, groundnut oil, and vegetables, surged significantly in major markets located on Douglas Road, Relief and World Bank areas.

At Relief Market, a trader, Judith Ikenna, said a bag of pepper, which sold for N150,000 previously, now sells for N200,000.

Ms Ikenna further disclosed that a basket of chili pepper, popularly called shombo, also went up from N120,000 to N180,000.

She said that tomatoes also went up significantly with a basket now selling for N180,000 as against N130,000 last week.

Musa Abubakar, who sells grains, said a 50kg bag of rice now sells between N110,000 and N120,000.

He said, “Many families are struggling to afford food and ram due to the harsh economic situation in the country.”

Related Topics:Abia economy Imo livestock Market security

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Economy

ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

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ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku

ADC is Nigeria’s only reliable political party, others brought insecurity, hunger, says Atiku. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubukar says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only reliable political party in the country, noting that others have brought insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment.
Speaking in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state, during the official opening of the ADC state secretariat, Abubakar said the party is ready for a 2027 victory but urged Nigerians to unite to rescue the nation.

He also asked Taraba residents to take part in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, adding that their participation is crucial to reversing Nigeria’s worsening hardship.
“I am in Taraba to inaugurate our new party office of the ADC, and I want you to hold the party with integrity,” Channels Television quoted Atiku as saying.

“Do not allow anybody to deceive you with any other party, because we have tasted other political parties, and they brought nothing but insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment. “The youths and women should know that we are doing this for them to have a better future, and I am holding on to their promise. “ADC will win Taraba state and win Nigeria as the only reliable political party.”

ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party

Abubakar, who formally joined the ADC on Monday—17 months before the 2027 general election—said his experience across political platforms convinced him that the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties lack the capacity to rescue the country.

He resigned from the PDP on July 16, citing “irreconcilable differences” within the opposition party as his reason for leaving.

Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

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Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development

Akwa Ibom governor pledges commitment to tourism, blue economy development… commends Editi Effiong for projecting State’s tourism potentials

As part of his effort to encourage tourism and enhance the State’s blue economy, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to encourage and reward young professionals who are willing to collaborate with his administration in promoting the positive image of the State through the ARISE Agenda.

The Governor made this known while fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after embarking on inspection of a locale of a movie, “The Black Book 2” (Old Scores), at Ishiet Beach/Market in Uruan Local Government Area.

He commended the movie Producer and Director, Mr. Editi Effiong, for his talent, vision, inspiration, and creative ability to project the tourism potentials and boost the economy of the State.

Governor Eno charged young Akwa Ibomites to shun divisive tendencies, be inspired, and emulate the creative effort of successful Akwa Ibom sons and daughters by joining hands to develop the tourism and blue economy of the State.

“The impression is amazing, seeing that we have one of our own trying to pull the world down here.

“I would love to thank and encourage him, and to let our young people see that Akwa Ibom has what it takes to drag the world’s attention.

“It depends on what you see. Someone can see this place and write one story about a swamp that has been abandoned and make all the noise. Another person sees this place and makes a great movie out of it that will market this place to the world and is able to attract the attention because of the work he has done here,” he said.

The State Chief Executive pledged his encouragement, support, and collaboration with Editi and other young Akwa Ibomites to enable them rise to the zenith of their calling.

“We are going to work with him. Editi is a young man I have known very well. This is one thing I say to our people in the diaspora, let’s partner. Come back home, whatever you see out there, bring it back here, and let’s work together.

“I think that is the story, and I am really impressed. If you know the number of people that have visited this State in the course of this film, the talents, and the caliber of artists that have been here, then this young man deserves an award and our support,” he added.

Ibom Deep SeaPort

On his part, the movie Producer and Director, Effiong, appreciated Governor Eno for his visionary leadership and passion for tourism development.

He expressed gratitude to the Governor for creating a hospitable and tourism friendly ecosystem to enhance talent exploration through the provision of good road network and quality modern facilities which distinguished the State as one of the most treasured locations in the country.

Crime

EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

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EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation

EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.

Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.

“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”