Sultan laments cost of living, calls for stability in prices of foodstuffs during Ramadan

By Mohammed kaka Misau, Bauchi

As the cost of living continue to sour in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III has appealed to business owners and other service providers not to use the Ramadan fasting period to hike prices.

The Sultan who made the appeal during the closing ceremony of the 36th National Qur’anic Recitation competition in Bauchi on Saturday said any further increase in prices of goods and services will make things difficult for people, particularly Muslims during the period.

The Sultan said that the present economic situation in the country should not be the reason for hiking of prices during the Holy month of Ramadan.

He urged Muslims particularly leaders to fear Allah and live peacefully, saying that they will account for their deeds on the last day.

The Sultan further advised them to continue to tread the path of peace in order to promote peaceful coexistence irrespective of religious differences across the country as well as pray for the leaders of the country.

The Sultan who commended all that contributed to the success of the event in one way or the other, posited that the competition did not only produce winners, but fostered unity among Muslims and other religions in the state.

While speaking, Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi, the host state, said his administration will take full scholarship responsibility of the winners of the Qur’anic Recitation.

The Governor who donated the sum of N10m to the winners of the competition also gave another N10million to all those who participated in the competition as well as the sum of N5m to all the judges.

Bala explained that the gesture was meant to appreciate them for what they did during the competition and to also serve as incentives for them to do more next time.

The Governor who said it was the third time Bauchi is hosting the event since it started in 1985, expressed gratitude that it will be recorded as one of his achievements.

He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III who is the President General of NSCIA for his untiring efforts at seeing that Islam took its rightful position as a religion in the country as well as the leadership that has continued to ensure success of the Recitation Competition over the years.

Bala called on the participants to use the messages contained in the Qur’an and offer prayers of peace and peaceful co-existence among Nigerian Citizens as well as improved economic development of the country.

He equally commended the management of Usmanu Ɗan Fodiyo University, Sokoto for organizing the Qur’anic Recitation Competition calling on Islamic Clerics to intensify efforts in educating the citizens on good virtues in order to escape the wrath of Allah.

The Governor also commended the courage of the youngest competitor, Amina Idris Muhammad from Cross River state, assuring that his administration will take up full scholarship responsibility of her education as well as support her for a better life to enable her concentrate on the reciting the Holy Qur’an.