Business

High cost of rams scares Muslims as Eid-el-Kabir approaches

Published

4 years ago

July 10, 2021

Less than two weeks to this year’s Eid-el-Kabir marked with the slaughtering of animals, the prices of rams have hit the rooftop.
There are indications that many may celebrate the Sallah without the traditional slaughtering of animals due to the high cost.
A survey of some of the ram markets in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country shows that the prices of rams, goats and cows have risen by about 100 per cent compared to what their prices last year.
The rise in prices has been attributed to scarcity of the animals due to high level of insecurity affecting the areas where they are reared as well as the displacement of those involved in the business.
A report by Daily Trust Saturday indicated that rams bought between N85,000-N90,000 last year now go for between N150,000 and 250,000, while those bought at N200,000 are now selling for between N350,000 and N400,000.
The current inflation in the country has also contributed to the hike in prices of the animals as well as other food items and commodities.
For instance, at Maigatari International Market, a border area in Jigawa State, dealers and buyers of rams are lamenting the astronomical increase.
They expressed fears that many worshippers won’t be able to afford rams to celebrate the festival.
A ram dealer from Lagos, Alhaji Lukman Babalola, said, “The price of ram this year is much higher, compared to the last year’s. I have been in this business for a long time now and this year appears to be different. They are telling us that it is because of the high cost of living, which has also affected the cost of feeding the animals, coupled with the fall in the value of the naira.
“A ram that we bought for between N85,000-N90,000 last year is now going for between N150,000-250,000 now, while the ones we were buying for N250,000 are going for between N350-N400,000 this year.”
Another dealer, Malam Sabi’u Yusuf, said, “The prices are high, compared to last year’s. This is as a result of the high cost of living and how we bought the rams from the Niger Republic.”
He added, “Now, we sell a ram for between N120,000 and N150,000. We even sell some rams between N500,000-N520,000.”
A member of Ram Dealers’ Association, Maigatari branch, Alhaji Mai Ungwa Adu’a, attributed the high price to the drop in the value of the naira, compared to the CFP of Niger Republic.
“Now, 200 CFP equals N1,000 if you change naira and bring goods from the Niger Republic. That is why there is an astronomical rise in prices.”
A ram seller at Old Abattoir, Garki, Abuja, Usman Yahuza, attributed the scarcity to the insecurity challenge in the North. According to him, some communities where dealers buy rams from have been under siege by the activities of bandits and kidnappers.
“I usually travel to Mai Aduwa Village in Katsina State to buy rams in large quantities. I hire vehicles to convey them to Abuja. But kidnappers and bandits attacked the community and displaced the people. This has led to scarcity and high cost of rams,” he said.
He also said, “Drivers charge between N1,500 and N2,000 per ram. A big ram which sold for N120,000 last year now sells between N200,000 and N250,000, while a medium-size ram which used to be N60,000 and N75,000 now goes for between M100,000 and 120,000.”
He said medium-size goats which sold for between N20,000 and N25,000 last year now sells for N30,000 and N40,000.
At Anagada Livestock Market located along Gwagwalada-Zuba -Abuja-Lokoja highway, only a few rams, goats and cows were on the ground.
A ram seller, Abdullahi Umar, attributed the scarcity to insecurity from the areas where rams were conveyed to the market.
“In fact, most of the rams and goats that you see here are usually brought from Maigatari in Jigawa State and Ilela in Sokoto State. But because of the security challenge in the areas, some truck drivers are scared to go to the villages to convey rams and goat,” he said.
He added, “Even if a driver agrees to go, he will charge a high fare due to the risk. This contributes to the scarcity and high cost of ram and goats in the market.”

Related Topics:Featured ram prices Sallah

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Railway

NRC targets moving 100 containers daily from Lagos to Kaduna, Kano by rail

Published

14 hours ago

March 6, 2025

Trends Admin

NRC targets moving 100 containers daily from Lagos to Kaduna, Kano by rail

There are plans to commence movement of containers by rail soon from Lagos port to Kaduna by rail with an initial target of 50 to 100 containers daily.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this when he received the management team of the ICNL, led by the Managing Director, Mr Omotayo Dada, at the corporation’s headquarters, Ebute Metta, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Only recently, the corporation re-launched the rail cargo train from Apapa port Lagos to Moniya container terminal deport in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a partnership deal with APMT.
The NRC MD had earlier paid a visit to ICNL headquarters in Kaduna, which paved the way for discussion on the resumption of container movement by rail to Kaduna, according to a statement by the corporation.
Opeifa said the corporation was willing to partner with major movers of large containers from across the country.
He said the corporation would continue to design products for companies willing to use the rail to move its cargoes.
He noted that with the ICNL partnership, the corporation hopes to move additional 50 to 100 containers per day from Lagos to Kano via Apapa, Ijoko, Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna.

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa; Managing Director, Inland Containers Nigeria Ltd, Mr Omotayo Dada, and the Head of Commercial Services, Mrs Odetunde King Abigail, during the courtesy call on the NRC MD…on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Director of Operations and Commercial of the corporation, Mr Akin Osinowo, said the corporation was in talks with many manufacturers, including the Dangote Group of Companies and BUA, among others.
He added that the NRC still continues to service Lafarge, taking cement consignments from Ewekoro to Osogbo and Ilorin.
He however said any company or terminal operator partnering with it is meant to add value to rail movement by using their size and status to prospect new customers in order to boost the railway’s haulage capacity.
He said the ICNL is a long standing customer of the corporation, adding that some of the factors that led to the stoppage of cargo movement especially on the narrow gauge are being addressed.
He said issues such as insecurity, especially between Minna and Kaduna, and the washouts of several portions of the rail tracks, among others, were being aggressively addressed either by the corporation’s team of engineers or by the Federal Government.
The NRC management and that of ICNL expressed commitment to continue their engagement and draw a road map for quick commencement of container freight to as far as to Kaduna and Kano on the western line.

Auto

Suzuki By CFAO slashes prices of Grand Vitara GL, GLX SUVs, EECO van in promotional campaign

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Suzuki By CFAO slashes prices of Grand Vitara GL, GLX SUVs, EECO van in promotional campaign

Suzuki by CFAO has commenced a nationwide promotional campaign, slashing prices of three outstanding models in a move to give Nigerians an opportunity to own durable, fuel-efficient and stylish Suzuki vehicles at affordable rate.
The fast-growing automobile dealership in Nigeria says in a statement that the limited-time offer also comes with added benefits designed to maximise customer value and return on investment.
The three models, Suzuki Grand Vitara GL, Grand Vitara GLX, and the Suzuki Eeco van, come with exclusive incentives such as one-year free service and free registration, apart from the price slash.
General Manager of Suzuki by CFAO, Madam Aissatou Diouf, says, “The Suzuki brand under CFAO remains committed to delivering affordability, innovation, and reliability to its customers.
“We encourage potential buyers to take advantage of this offer before it ends. Customer feedback continues to reinforce Suzuki’s reputation for quality, fuel efficiency, and overall satisfaction.”
The auto firm says the promotional offer allows customers to drive home the Suzuki Grand Vitara GL for ₦46 million, instead of ₦48 million, while the Grand Vitara GLX is currently available at ₦53 million, down from 55 million, and the Suzuki EECO van for ₦19.5 million, down from ₦23 million.

Grand Vitara GLX
This is a feature-packed SUV with a robust design, sophisticated styling, and cutting-edge technology.
It comes equipped with 1.5L, 2WD automatic transmission (FS), panoramic sunroof, power door mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, 9-inch touchscreen audio system, 360-degree camera, outstanding fuel efficiency of just 4-5 litres per 100km.

Grand Vitara GL
This variant features a 1.5L engine, 2WD automatic transmission (FS), power door mirrors, alloy wheels, and fabric seats while maintaining the same remarkable fuel efficiency as the GLX.

Suzuki Eeco van

This is for businesses and entrepreneurs seeking affordability and efficiency.
It is a versatile and reliable vehicle, perfect for a practical and affordable transportation solution.
It is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine and delivers 54 kW (73hp) of power and 101 Nm of torque;
5-speed manual transmission.
Its other features are exceptional fuel economy of just 4-5 litre per 100km; low maintenance costs and practical features such as manual air conditioning, park assist, and fabric seats.
Basic safety features, including seatbelts, a driver-side airbag, and an audio system with AM/FM radio and USB connectivity are available.

Exterior features
Compact design: The Eeco Panel van has a compact design, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Sliding doors: The van features sliding doors on both sides, providing easy access to the cargo area.
Rear door: The rear door is designed for easy loading and unloading of cargo.

Interior features
Spacious cargo area: The Eeco Panel van has a spacious cargo area, perfect for carrying goods, equipment, or tools.
Vinyl flooring: The cargo area features vinyl flooring, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Tie-down points: The van has tie-down points to secure cargo and prevent shifting during transport.

Safety
Driver airbag: The Eeco comes equipped with a driver airbag for added safety.
Seatbelts: The van features seatbelts for the driver and passengers.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS): The Eeco has ABS to prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking.

Comfort/convenience features
Manual air conditioning: The van which can accommodate 5 to 7 passengers features manual air conditioning for added comfort.
Power steering; The van features power steering for easy maneuverability.
The auto firm notes that this is a golden opportunity to own a Suzuki vehicle at an unbeatable price and urged interested people to visit any Suzuki by CFAO dealership nationwide to take advantage of this limited-time offer before it runs out.