From Maiduguri to Lagos, Port-Harcourt to Zamfara, the high cost of ram is turning people away from buying the first out of the six eligible animals for a rewarding sacrifice.

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Every year, hundreds of millions of Muslims across the globe buy, slaughter and share rams, sheep, 'he', goats 'she' goats, camels or cows among their families, relations, neighbours, the poor and needy to celebrate the sincere intention of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael in line with Allah's injunction.



Sadly, for security reasons, economic hardship and high cost of transportation, the sacrificial lambs are everywhere but in most states, not affordable. So, it was not altogether surprising when days before the feast, it has emerged that only few people can afford a sacrificial lamb.

One of the two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide, Eid-el-Kabir also referred to as Festival of Sacrifice, Greater Eid or Feast of Sacrifice, is an important religious holy day in Nigeria. The feast falls on the tenth day of the twelfth and last month of the calendar. That is approximately seventy days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

Reports from investigations carried out by LEADERSHIP in some states of the federation reveal that prices of rams vary but both sellers and buyers agree on one thing: the bigger the animal, the higher the price. Though not measured by the size of the animal, Ustaz Aminu, a Muslim Cleric in Abuja says any animal eligible for sacrifice must be healthy. "This is a fundamental factor. But it is unfortunate that people now go for the most expensive ram as if that is what Allah requires. Allah does not look at the size of the animal offered for sacrifice, He looks at the spirit behind the act. "

LEADERSHIP checks in the South-South states of Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa show a drastic rise in the prices of rams. At Aduwawa Livestock Market, Benin City, Edo State, the price of rams ranges between N60, 000 and N80, 000 as against N35,000 and N50,000 last year. Aliko Haruna, a ram dealer in the market blames the rise in price to the harsh economic situation and increase in the transportation of the animals from the Northern part of the country. Haruna said sales have been on the low in spite of the Great Eid.

According to Abubakar Jibe, a popular ram trader in Zango Market of Warri, Delta State, the price of ram ranges between N35, 000 and N45, 000. The story is not different in Slaughter Market (Air Force Junction), Mile 3 and Slaughter House (Rumuokoro), all in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A ram dealer in Rumuokoro who gave his name as Adamu revealed that average price of ram ranges between N45,000 and N120,000, as against N30,000 and N90,000 last year during the Feast of Sacrifice.



A visit to Swali and Tombia markets of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 showed that the price of ram was between N20, 000 and N40, 000. Speaking to LEADERSHIP in the state capital, Mr. Ayas one of the customers said the price was too high. "I came to buy three rams but as it is now, I can only buy two."

Reports in the North East states of Borno, Adamawa and Bauchi also reveal a rise in ram price. In Gamboru Kasuwa Shanu, Maiduguri, Borno State, the price of ram is between N25, 000 and N100,000 against N15, 000 t0 N80, 000 last year.

LEADERSHIP findings show that the Boko Haram activities are the major reason for the price rise. Kassim, a dealer of rams in Maiduguri said most of the people from whom he buys rams in the village no longer supply the animals because of insecurity. "They no longer rear the animals so we go very far to buy and it is ideal that we make a little profit." At Jimeta Cattle Market, Yola, Adamawa State, the price of ram is between N15, 000 and N50, 000 depending on the size. Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Mallam Yakubu, a ram seller in the market said though the price is low, people cannot buy because of lack of money. However, in Tike Azare, Bauchi State, Mallam Abdulsalam, a lecturer in the College of Education, Azare revealed to LEADERSHIP that the price of ram ranges between N15, 000 and N60, 000 as against N10, 000 t0 N45, 000 last year.

Market survey conducted by LEADERSHIP in the North Central states of Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau show a sharp variation in prices. At Asakeyo and Shange markets of Lafiya, the Nasarawa State capital, rams sell for between N15, 000 and N93, 000.

Umar Isa, a ram seller in Asakeyo Market reveals that Igbo's economic power ,  . .  .  .

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hausas need to wake up and smell the coffee . . . .

. . . . before the coffee smell them

why wouldn't they plead with Yoruba people
after killing our brother,they expect us to patronize them
stupid people

I did not see where they begged the Igbos to buy their Ram. Your topic is mis-leading.

what wont one hear on nl. Hausas need not beg igbos to buy their pastures.

Wetin concern Igbo's for this thread?

See vulture,see barber!

@Poster are u deranged what has the above got to do with igbo, u even had to alter the original story.

What is wrong with u?

i have always known that the poster is a cretin