The umbrella body for Muslims,
the Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI),
headed by Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has called on the federal and state governments to urgently address the economic and security challenges facing Nigerians before the situation worsens.
The religious body also called for the immediate release of all those arrested during recent protests against hunger and high cost of living in Minna and Suleija.
In a statement on Thursday in Kaduna, the Islamic body urged the business community to resist the temptation of hoarding food items for selfish gains.
The statement signed by Khalid Aliyu, secretary general of the JNI, noted that ordinary Nigerians were experiencing harsh economic difficulties, occasioned by food insecurity, inflation, abject poverty and insecurity which “calls for serious redress”.
The statement said, “The JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, with all sense of responsibility calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to urgently intervene over the difficulties Nigerians are passing through.
“This call is made over the exhilarating pains citizens are airing in both print and electronic media, inclusive of the social media, wherein Minna, Niger State and Lokoja, Kogi State Protests and other dissenting concerns being raised.”
Aliyu said,“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 Federal 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.“
According to the Islamic group, the call became necessary so that citizens would not be further provoked.
The statement cautioned government functionaries to choose their words very well while addressing citizens on the issues.
Aliyu said, “More so, the impending Ramadan fast heightens the urgency of our call, as access to three square meals becomes a luxury for many households.”
He said, “As believers, we understand that food security is synonymous with home security, as enunciated in the Glorious Qur’an 106:4.
“We equally implore 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.
“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”.
The statement called on all stakeholders to unite and be patriotic so as to implement measures that will mitigate the impact of rising food prices, ensure Nigeria’s continued path of growth so that development is not halted.
The statement prayed for guidance, protection, good health, peace for all leaders, and for tranquility to prevail in Nigeria.
“May Allah, the Most High, also provide the quickest relief to all problems bedeviling the Nigerian state.“ the statement added.
