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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.
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“Be dedicated to Nigerians as God is watching you”-Onaiyekan cautions Tinubu
The Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, says though more Nigerians voted against President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, he has a duty to serve all Nigerians.
According to him, Tinubu, the then-candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should switch from campaign mode to governance mode and serve every part of the country equally.
The respected cleric was a guest on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme on Channels Television.
Cardinal Onaiyekan warned Tinubu against running a polarised government where his political cronies are rewarded with appointments and the parts of the country where he got hefty votes are also rewarded with projects.
He said, “There are Nigerians who did not vote for APC. Granted that APC got the highest number of votes and that is why they have the right to rule us. But they also forget that there are millions of Nigerians who did not (vote for the APC).
“Whatever the rules say, the reality is that more people vote against Mr President than those who voted for him.
“Even if you are a minority government, which is what I call what we have now, you still have a duty to serve the people and to do all you can to give everybody what is their right, and to rule well.”
‘God Is Watching’
Cardinal Onaiyekan urged the President to do his best to move the nation forward as he would give account of his stewardship to God.
“Mr President, it’s about time you switched from campaign mode to governance mode. Elections are over. Campaigns are over. You now have to govern and govern the whole of Nigeria and every Nigerian.
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“And therefore, the whole system whereby high political offices are given as a reward for those who were political activists, I don’t believe that that is the best way to move the nation forward.
“I would say, now that you (Tinubu) have been declared the President of Nigeria, sit down comfortably on that chair. As a religious leader, I would say God has allowed you on that chair. If God puts you there, you must then know that he is watching you and that He will be asking you what you did on that chair,” he said
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Wema Bank Appoints New Deputy Managing Director and Executive Director
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s innovative leader in banking and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Managing Director and an Executive Director. These strategic appointments, approved by the Board, come as part of the bank’s commitment to ensuring strong leadership succession. The new roles will take effect on December 1, 2024, following the retirement of Mr. Oluwole Akinleye, the current Deputy Managing Director.
Mr. Akinleye, whose retirement will be effective November 30, 2024, has been a vital pillar of Wema Bank’s growth and transformation. Over the past decade, he has demonstrated exemplary leadership across various capacities, including overseeing the Southwest Business, Corporate Banking Division, Customer Experience Management, and Corporate Sustainability. His tenure has been marked by significant contributions to the bank’s strategic objectives and market positioning.
In expressing gratitude for his service, the Board of Directors and management of the Bank disclosed that Mr. Akinleye’s dedication and strategic foresight have been instrumental to Wema Bank’s transformation journey. He is deeply appreciated for his invaluable contributions and they wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
As part of its robust succession planning, Wema Bank has appointed Mr. Oluwole Ajimisinmi as Deputy Managing Director. Mr. Ajimisinmi, who joined Wema Bank in 2009 as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, was appointed as an Executive Director in 2020. With years of experience in corporate governance, strategic leadership, and banking, he is well-positioned to steer the bank towards its next phase of growth and innovation.
The bank has also named Mr. Olukayode Bakare as Executive Director, effective the same date. A seasoned finance and treasury expert with years of industry experience, Mr. Bakare has been a key driver of Wema Bank’s Treasury, Wholesale Funding, and Global Trade Business. His extensive expertise and leadership will further bolster the bank’s commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions.
Commenting on these appointments, the Board of Directors and management of the Bank said these appointments underscore Wema Bank’s commitment to building a future-ready leadership team. According to the Bank, Mr. Ajimisinmi and Mr. Bakare bring a wealth of expertise, passion, and a clear vision to their new roles. The Bank is confident that their leadership will propel Wema Bank to new heights, ensuring sustained innovation and value creation for its stakeholders.
Wema Bank remains committed to its mission of delivering cutting-edge banking solutions through technology and innovation. With these leadership changes, the Bank is poised to maintain its position as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s financial services sector.
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“How I almost died – Mike Tyson narrates a near-death experience before Jake Paul fight
Former World Heavyweight Champion, Mike Tyson, has opened up about how he nearly lost his life prior to his bout with Jake Paul on November 15, 2024.
In his narration, he stated that his condition was critical to the extent that he had to be given eight blood transfusions after losing half of his blood while receiving treatment at the hospital.
The legendary boxer indicated that he does not regret fighting Jake Paul, who is in his youthful age, and losing the bout in the eighth round is a feat to be proud of.
Tyson expressed his appreciation to his family and loved ones who supported him during the bout and even sent him words of encouragement after the defeat.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25 lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for,” Tyson wrote on X after losing to Jake Paul.
Social media influencer-turned-boxer, Jake Paul, defeated Mike Tyson via unanimous decision in their highly anticipated professional bout in Arlington, Texas.
Fighting in front of 72,300 fans at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Paul controlled most of the fight against Tyson, winning via unanimous decision to become the sixth fighter to defeat the former heavyweight champion in his career.
With the victory, Paul improves to 11-1 in his professional career, including seven knockouts, further cementing himself as a valid competitor in the sport.
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