The current economic crisis being faced by ordinary Nigerians occasioned by food insecurity, inflation, abject poverty and insecurity is distressing and calls for serious redress, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Jama’arul Nasir Islam (JNI) have told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Sultan also called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to urgently intervene over the difficulties Nigerians were passing through, saying that the call became necessary following the public lamentations in both conventional and social media, including street protests in Minna, Niger State and Lokoja, Kogi State.
A statement issued by Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, Secretary-General, JNI, on behalf of the group and the Sultan, posited that, “In light of the troubling impact of hoarding and inflation on the availability and affordability of essential goods and services, particularly food items, the JNI is therefore compelled to raise its voice on the matter. We have been inundated with reports and pleas from ordinary Nigerians, expressing their anguish over the soaring prices of basic necessities.
“We urgently call on the FGN and State Governments to intervene before the situation worsens. Likewise, all those arrested during the protests should be released and future recurrence be avoided through synergy and prompt interventions.
“This call has become necessary such that citizens would not be further provoked. Government functionaries are also cautioned to choose their words very well while addressing citizens on the matter. More so, the impending Ramadan fast heightens the urgency of our call, as access to three square meals becomes a luxury for many households.
“As believers, we understand that food security is synonymous with home security, as enunciated in the Glorious Qur’an 106:4.”
Sultan and JNI equally implored the business community to resist the temptation of hoarding for selfish gains, instead they should make essential commodities more affordable, by lowering prices, so as to serve as an act of charity for them, adding that, “Let us emulate the generosity of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by being more generous and kind, especially during Ramadan.
“As we approach Ramadan, we urge all levels of government to extend assistance to the less fortunate, as reports of their plight are both alarming and worrying. All stakeholders must unite in patriotic fervor to implement measures that mitigate the impact of rising food costs, ensuring Nigeria’s continued path of growth and development is not halted.
“In this time of challenge, Sultan and JNI prayed for guidance, protection, good health, and peace for all leaders, and for tranquility to prevail in Nigeria,” adding that “May Allah, the Most High, also provide the quickest relief to all problems bedeviling the Nigerian state. Amin.”
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