The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Saturday, told Muslims to look out for the crescent moon on Sunday (today) signalling the start of Ramadan, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
According to NAN, Abubakar made the call in a statement by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof Sambo Junaidu.
Junaidu said, “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that May 5, which is equivalent to 29 day of Sha’aban 1440A.H., shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1440A.H.
“Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Ramadan 1440A.H. on Sunday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan.”
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which the Muslim conduct the compulsory full month fasting.
Meanwhile, ahead of the religious exercise, prices of tomato and pepper have soared by 60 per cent in some markets in Lagos, according to NAN.
A NAN survey conducted at Mile 12, Oke Odo, Oyingbo and Iddo markets, Lagos, showed that a 40-kilogramme basket of tomato, which cost N5,000 two weeks ago had risen to N12,000.
Similarly, a 50-kg basket of bell pepper (tatashe) has risen to N12, 000 from its previous price of N6, 000; 50kg Chilli pepper (sombo) costs N9, 000 as against N5, 000, while a basket of scotch bonnet pepper (rodo) costs N13, 500 as against N9,000.
Alhaji Haruna Mohammed, Market Leader, Mile 12 Perishable Traders Association, attributed the price increase to off-season effect and cost of transportation.
He, however, maintained that the prices of the food items were still relatively cheaper compared to the same period two years ago.
Mohammed said the influx of perishable food items from South-West states and Cameroon into the market would augment the shortfall of supply from the North, and ensure that their prices were not too expensive.
Conversely, the price of a bag of onion decreased from N15, 000 to N13, 000; 25 litres of palm oil dropped from N9, 000 to N8, 200 and five litres of vegetable oil cost N2400.
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