Residents of Osogbo, Osun State, on Thursday said the high cost of rams and transportation fares significantly affected their Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Some residents who spoke with journalists in Osogbo said many family members could not return home for the festivities due to the hike in transport fares.

They also noted that they were unable to travel to meet relatives for the same reason, while the soaring prices of rams and cows made it difficult for many to perform the traditional sacrifice.

A resident, Gaffer Ismaila, said he could not afford to buy a ram or cow due to the high prices, adding that he opted for a smaller goat.

He said, “Thankfully, Allah has always made a way for me and my family to celebrate Eid every year, but this year was tough. An average ram that sold for N200,000 last year now goes for about N350,000. The price is far above my budget, so I had to settle for a goat to ensure we could still observe the sacrifice.”

Mr Ismaila added that the rising cost of pepper and other food items made it even harder to have an elaborate celebration.

“My family and some close neighbours had a low-key feast together,” he said.

He further noted that many of his relatives could not travel home due to the high cost of transportation.

Another resident, Hamed Akeem, said he could not travel to his hometown with his family because of increased transport fares.

Mr Akeem said it had always been his routine to celebrate the festival with his extended family, noting that this year was different.

“The cost of transportation is much higher than in previous years, so we could not travel. The prices of rams are also too high. All we could do was send money to our parents to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.

“My wife and children did not get new Sallah clothes because there was no money,” he said.

He expressed hope that the country’s economic situation would improve.

Similarly, an Islamic cleric, Hamzat Abdulsalam, said the essence of Eid-el-Kabir is sacrifice and urged Nigerians to remain patient.

He said Allah sees the suffering of the people and would make things better.

Mr Abdulsalam also advised Nigerians to continue praying for the nation’s leaders, expressing optimism that the country would overcome its challenges.

On the security situation, he described terrorists and bandits as enemies of humanity, adding that divine justice would prevail.

(NAN)