Reported by PrasieGod Nwafor from Osogbo
As Muslims in Osun State join the global community in celebrating Eid al-Adha, also known as Ileya, the joy of the occasion is overshadowed by the harsh economic realities facing many families. The skyrocketing prices of essential items, including the traditional ram, have forced many to scale back on customary festivities.
Mr. Kazeem Jimoh, a resident of Osogbo, shared his thoughts on the situation: “Today, we are celebrating Ileya because it is an important day in the world to commemorate the day God used a ram to replace the son of Prophet Ibrahim. We thank God for His blessings, but the current economic situation in Nigeria has made it difficult to celebrate as we used to. Everything is extremely costly. If not for God’s intervention, this day would not have been possible. We are managing ourselves and pray that our leaders make things easier for us. We should remain thankful and prayerful to God, as He alone is the most powerful.”
The financial strain is not only affecting individual households but also local businesses. Mr. Muhammad Saheed Adeoye, a bread baker and seller, lamented the impact on his trade: “Today is significant because after slaughtering the rams, everyone rejoices. However, the government is making things very difficult. My business, which thrives during the Ileya festival, is suffering because people can’t afford to buy bread. Few families can afford meat, and my advice to my fellow Muslims is to live within our means and avoid debts to celebrate.”
To Iyaafin Adepoju, who runs a beer parlor in Osogbo, expressed similar frustrations: “As you can see, there are no customers here. There is no money to buy goods, and pepper is scarce and expensive. This year is the worst we have experienced. The government’s policies are making life unbearable. Transportation costs are so high due to fuel prices that people can’t afford to go to the market. We are struggling to survive, but we thank God for life.”
Also, Alaja Monsurat highlighted the difficulties faced by many during this festive period: “Ileya is an important festival for Muslims, but this year is particularly hard. We can’t even host visitors because of the high cost of pepper. Many people have slaughtered rams, but there’s no pepper for stew. In my beer parlor, where people usually gather to celebrate, there is no one here today. The money that used to buy five items now can’t buy one. We are begging the government to ease our suffering. We are hungry, can’t pay school fees, and can’t afford basic necessities. The government needs to take urgent action.”
The economic downturn has cast a long shadow over this year’s Eid al-Adha celebrations in Osun State. As families struggle to make ends meet, the spirit of the festival remains intact, with many relying on faith and community support to navigate these challenging times. The hope for better days remains strong, as residents continue to call on the government for relief and intervention.
