…as poultry sellers make brisk business
By Daniel Ayantoye and Olanrewaju Bello
As Muslim faithful across the globe celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, tomorrow, residents of Kwara State of Islamic faith have lamented the high cost of food items and rams.
Some of the respondents who spoke with our reporters said the celebration is likely to be low key for them and their families due to unavailability of money and the rising cost of food stuffs in various markets, especially in Ilorin metropolis.
At Mandate Market, a trader who identified herself as Iya Fathia, disclosed that prices of food items such as yams have increased a bit.
According to her, six pieces of yam, which was formerly sold at N600 is now being sold for N800.
Also, Abdullahi Musa, who sells pepper and tomatoes, admitted that the prices of food items have increased, adding that a basket of tomatoes now cost N3,000 while pepper cost N5,000 and onions N2,000.
According to another trader, identified as Iya Mariam, a bag of rice cost N16,300 while 25 litres of groundnut oil and palm oil is sold at N12,200 and N13,200 respectively.
For Mallam Hassan Sulaiman, who sells clothes at Oja-Oba, the level of patronage has been low as customers complained of being owed salaries for some months.
While some traders complained of low patronage, the reverse was however the case for those selling chickens and other birds in various markets.
According to our findings, those who could not afford ram settled for chickens, which are being sold between N2,000 and N3,500 depending on the size.
Speaking with our reporter, a customer who identified himself as Kazeem Ajide, said, โI came to the market with N23, 000 hoping to buy foodstuffs and perhaps a small ram but I ended up buying chicken as the cost of items in the market are unbearable at the moment.โ
Meanwhile some Muslims who travelled from various locations to celebrate the festival with their families, complained of deplorable condition of the roads and traffic gridlock.
โWe could not get a vehicle on time from Lagos and even when we ended up getting one, the traffic logjam at Mowe was terrible. That said, we thank God that we got home safely,โ said, Mariam Abdullahi, a resident of Lagos, who arrived Ilorin for the celebration on Tuesday.
…police, FRSC, NSCDC, others deploy 8,500 officers
By Matthew Denis and Ahmed Ajikobi
Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir celebration tomorrow, the Kwara State security agencies, which comprise the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Kwara State Traffic Management Agency (KWARTMA) have deployed no fewer than 8,500 officers to ensure a hitch free festival.
Speaking with this medium last night, the Kwara State Sector Commander of FRSC, Sunday Maku said, “We are providing 2,500 personnel across the state to ensure security of lives and property before and during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
“We also have six operational vehicles stationed in various strategic areas within the state and we also have operational order for the Sallah celebrations, so we are adequately prepared because as I speak to you, our men have been deployed for special duties most especially on busy roads.โ
Maku however called on vehicle owners to maintain traffic rules and regulations to avert accidents in the state.
In the same vein, the Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Kwara Command, Henry Bilesanmi, said 2,000 personnel have been deployed to sensitive locations within the metropolis and other towns as well as recreational facilities.
He appealed to the people to be law abiding during the celebration, as NSCDC will not hesitate to enforce law and order.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi said a total of 2,000 officers will take positions in key areas and eid ground across the state.
He said “We have deployed our officers and men to every nook and cranny of the state to secure lives and property during Sallah,”
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Kwara state Road Traffic Maintenance Authority (KWARTMA), Yekeen Bello, stressed that he will station all his officers in various locations in the state capital and communities to control traffic.
“All our officers will be on duty during the festive period to ensure effective traffic control, especially in the metropolis.โ
Meanwhile, the two compulsory rakat for the celebration is to be observed 8am at the Ilorin eid ground according to a palace source.
