Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the umbrella body of Muslims in Nigeria led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'adu Abubakar has called on the federal and state governments to intervene in the rising cost of living before the situation worsens.
The umbrella body of Muslims in Nigeria, which made the call in a statement issued on Thursday, which was signed by its Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, implored the business community to resist the temptation to hoard for selfish gains.
Titled ‘The Need To Address The Inflation Crisis In Nigeria,’ the JNI said that instead of hoarding foodstuffs, business owners should make essential commodities more affordable by lowering prices to serve as an act of charity for them.
Lamenting that the current trying-time ordinary Nigerians are experiencing, occasioned by food insecurity, inflation and abject poverty is distressing, the group urged Nigerians to emulate the generosity of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by being more generous and kinder, especially during Ramadan.
It said, "The JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, with all sense of responsibility calls on President Bola Tinubu’s government 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.
"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.”
The apex Muslim body explained that its leadership had been inundated with reports and pleas from ordinary Nigerians, expressing their anguish over the soaring prices of necessities.
It said, "We urgently call on the FGN 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. This call has become necessary such that citizens would not be further provoked.
"Government functionaries are also cautioned to choose their words very well while addressing citizens on the matter. More so, the impending Ramadan fast heightens the urgency of our call, as access to three square meals becomes a luxury for many households. 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. All stakeholders must unite in patriotic fervor to implement measures that mitigate the impact of rising food costs, ensuring Nigeria's continued path of growth and development is not halted.
"In this time of challenge, we pray for guidance, protection, good health, and 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. Amin."