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Sallah: Ram traders decry low sales amidst high prices, insecurity
As the countdown to Sallah festivities narrows, ram sellers across the country are currently grappling with a disturbing trend of low patronage.
Their voices showed frustration and worry as they attributed the slow patronage to a combination of economic challenges, spate of insecurity, and transportation costs for the animals sourced from northern Nigeria.
The PUNCH reports that some ram sellers in Ogun, Lagos, Gombe, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Sokoto states, observed the high prices of the rams ahead of the forthcoming Sallah celebration.
A cattle trader, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH at Ibafo, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Ibrahim Yusuf, explained that a big ram was sold between N500,000 and N700,000 with the least sold for N250,000.
Yusuf said, “Rams are so costly this year and the reason for it is the insecurity in the North. We no longer get rams there anymore. We have to travel to Mali most of the time to get the rams and the money we spend in that process is contributing to the huge prices”.
In Arepo, also in Ogun State, another trader who identified himself only as Muhammed said, “The effects of the activities of insurgents, banditry among others contributed to the surge in the prices of the rams as the supplies from the region had gradually reduced.
“The profits we make now are meagre compared to the amount we always spend on getting the rams here from Mali. Rams are very expensive this year and they are between N300,000, N650,000, depending on the size”.
Another seller in the Ijaiye area of Lagos, who refused to give his name, said, “Prices of ram are high now. You know what is happening in the country these days. The smallest ram here now is N300,000.
“Though if you have N200,000, I can still find one for you, generally, in this place, we have rams of N400,000, N600,000 and N800,000. It is not our fault. The cost of transporting the rams to Lagos is another thing, but there is nothing we can do about that”.
In Gombe State at Tike market in Pantami, a seller, Dan Garba, said, “Now, we have N800,000 ram, but last year, we sold the same size between N350,000 to N450,000. The cheapest ram here is N150,000 only. It’s not our fault; that (N150,000 ram) was the ram we sold for N75,000 last year”.
Another trader, Sultan Abubakar, stated, “Customers are not coming to buy. If customers don’t come, how am I going to take care of my family? I can’t sell below cost price. I will not realise my money”.
Similarly, in Kasuwar Shanu, Bauchi State, Olaniyi Musa, who said he bought and distributed rams to southern states (Oyo, Ogun, Ibadan, and Osun), claimed that the inflation in the country also affected animal prices.
Olaniyi maintained that the turnout of buyers this year was very low.
He said, “Compared to last festival season, the price of animals has skyrocketed. The inflation rate and shortage of rain have a significant impacted on the prices of the animals. Last year, we bought the animal at the lowest price of N40,000 to N45,000 while this year the lowest price is N100,000”.
On his part, the Treasurer of the Association of Buyers of Animals and Animals Feeds, Bauchi chapter, Zakariya Mato said rams were selling at the prices of N400,000, N300,000, N200,000 and N100,000.
He said, “There was a reasonable increase in the price compared to 2023 as the prices of animal feeds were also affected by inflation. The low turnout of buyers is not unconnected with the traditions in Bauchi State that the buyers arrive at the market two to three days before Sallah to buy the animal to avoid theft at home”.
In the same vein, Dahiru Garba who is also a cattle seller in the Bauchi market said, “Last year by this time my customers from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and other northern states were calling me on the phone to send animals to them”.
Buyers bemoaned the increased cost of the rams.
One of the buyers, Hassan Ismail, said that a medium-size ram that was sold for about N70,000 last year was now between N110,000 and N120,000.
He said, “It is disheartening that the price of these essential items is getting this high daily, how can an ordinary man celebrate this Sallah with this situation of things for God’s sake? I don’t think I will buy any Ram”.
Another buyer, Shamsudeen Ibrahim, said, “I have already made up my mind not to buy anything this year. I cannot kill myself or where do I have close to N200,000 to buy Ram this year? I will explain to my children and I am sure they will understand as times go this year”.
Also speaking, Abubakar Salami, who sells cattle in the market, said the market situation this year was bad when compared with what it was last year.
News
Army acquires 43 drones, wings 46 Turkey-trained personnel
The Federal Government has bolstered the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity with the acquisition of 43 Bayraktar TB2 drones, primarily for deployment in the North-West theatre of operations.
The Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig. Gen. U.G. Ogeleka, disclosed this on Tuesday during the winging ceremony of 46 personnel trained in the operation and maintenance of the drones.
The initiative, codenamed Project Guardian, aims to strengthen military operations against insurgency and other security challenges in the region.
“Between May and September 2022, a team of 35 officers and 11 soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s routinely piloted aircraft system regiments underwent specialised training in Turkey on the operation and maintenance of the Bayraktar TB2 drones,” Ogeleka said. “The training crew included multi-piloted aircraft pilots, mission operators, avionics, and mechanical engineers and technicians.”
Out of the 46 trained personnel, 14 are multi-piloted aircraft pilots, seven are mission operators, and 23 are engineers and technicians.
Ogeleka presented 22 of the trained personnel for the winging ceremony, noting that the others are actively engaged in operational duties.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, praised the acquisition of the drones and the training of personnel as significant steps toward enhancing the army’s professionalism and combat readiness.
“The winging of these 22 officers and soldiers as pilots and certified maintenance engineers is a morale booster for others in service,” Oluyede said. “It confirms their readiness to operate and maintain the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones in our inventory.”
Oluyede further revealed plans to procure additional unmanned aerial systems in the coming year to strengthen military operations across all theatres in the country.
The drones will play a critical role in addressing security challenges in the North-West, a region plagued by banditry and insurgency.
Their advanced surveillance and strike capabilities are expected to significantly enhance the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness.
This development underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve national security and highlights the Nigerian Army’s drive to modernize its arsenal and build capacity within its ranks.
With more unmanned aerial systems set for acquisition, the military’s ability to conduct precise, real-time surveillance and combat operations is poised for substantial improvement.
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Ondo Assembly mulls 10-year jail term for land grabbers
The Ondo State House of Assembly is considering a bill that proposes harsh penalties for land grabbers, including up to 10 years imprisonment for forceful entry or illegal takeover of properties.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has further reinforced the fight against land grabbing by signing an Executive Order to prohibit such activities.
The order aims to end forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties, and fraudulent or violent conduct related to land in the state.
To strengthen enforcement, the governor has established a Task Force to protect property rights, uphold the rule of law, and ensure a secure environment for property owners and residents.
The proposed bill also includes severe penalties of up to 21 years imprisonment for selling family land without the consent of the family head or secretary.
Hon Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, the lawmaker representing Ondo West Constituency 1, who sponsored the bill, spoke during a public hearing on the bill
Hon Ogunwumiju assured stakeholders that the bill would improve land administration, protect landowners, attract investors, and foster peace and development in the state.
He explained that the bill sought to regulate land dealings, protect landowners and buyers, penalise encroachers, and criminalise unregistered agents.
Ogunwumiju said the bill proposed penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for forceful entry or takeover of properties and up to 21 years for selling family land without the consent of the family head or secretary.
Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Olamide Oladiji, urged committee members and stakeholders to ensure the bill served the interests of the people.
He said the bill would maintain order in the state and impose necessary sanctions on offenders.
“Land grabbers pose a significant threat to property acquisition. Their activities ranging from trespassing, forceful occupation, and illegal sales of properties to multiple buyers must be confronted decisively.”
Majority Leader and Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the bill, would benefit the society at large
Ondo Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Kayode Ajulo said the bill would enhance land administration and complement the executive order signed by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Stakeholders including traditional rulers called for full implementation of the bill when signed into law.
News
FG earmarks N250bn for Lagos-Abuja rail project in 2025 budget
The federal government has made an allocation of N250 billion in the 2025 budget for the Lagos–Abuja mass transit rail project.
This budgetary investment is part of a broader plan to revitalize Nigeria’s infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.
The government’s focus on infrastructure development is rooted in the belief that it is a cornerstone of long-term economic planning.
By investing in critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, energy, healthcare, and education, the administration aims to create a conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investment.
The Lagos-Abuja rail project, in particular, is expected to have a transformative impact on the Nigerian economy.
By improving transportation connectivity between two major economic hubs, the project will facilitate the movement of goods and people, reduce logistics costs, and stimulate economic activity.
Additionally, the project is expected to create numerous jobs, both directly and indirectly, contributing to the country’s overall employment rate.
The government’s infrastructure investments are also aimed at addressing regional disparities.
By connecting different parts of the country through improved transportation networks, the administration hopes to stimulate economic growth in underserved regions, reduce poverty, and promote equitable development.
The 2025 budget signals the government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.
By investing in critical projects like the Lagos-Abuja rail line, the administration aims to lay the foundation for a more prosperous and connected Nigeria.
However, the success of these initiatives will depend on effective planning, efficient implementation, and transparent governance.
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