As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has made a plea to traders nationwide, urging them not to increase the prices of foodstuffs during the period.
Addressing journalists at his Wadata palace in Bida, Niger State, the royal father, who also serves as Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, stated the importance of compassion and empathy, especially towards the less privileged, during Ramadan.
Etsu Nupe implored traders to align their business practices with Islamic teachings, stating the significance of conducting fair trade and assisting neighbors in need.
“As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, traders should empathize with ordinary people and reduce the costs of food items to attract Allah’s blessings to their businesses.
“Those considering raising prices during Ramadan should contemplate the consequences before Almighty Allah on the day of judgment,” the monarch said.
The royal father expressed concern over the tendency of some traders to exploit the Ramadan season by hiking prices, contrary to the spirit of the month.
He therefore appealed to all traders nationwide to lower prices during Ramadan, pointing out that the period was an opportunity to seek God’s favor through fasting and acts of kindness.
Abubakar further stated the responsibility of affluent individuals to support the less privileged, particularly by providing food items and financial assistance.
He urged wealthy Nigerians to utilize their resources to alleviate the hardships faced by the poor and widows, thereby contributing to the well-being of society.
He added, “This is the period wealthy Nigerians should strive to assist the less privileged in the society by providing them with food items and cash to ease their hardships especially by using their God-given wealth to assist the poor and the widows because this will go a long way to alleviating their sufferings.”
