By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The present economic downturn in the country is taking its toll on sellers of rams in various markets across the country ahead of the Muslims’ festival of Eid-el-Kabir next week.
Next Monday and Tuesday, Muslims in the country will celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival and would be expected to slaughter rams.
But the prices of rams in the market are driving many of them away, which the sellers are not happy with. They have mostly complained of low patronage.
At some markets visited by Business Post on Monday in Lagos, the prices of moderate rams range from N65,000 to N150,000, while the bigger ones go for N180,000 to N220,000.
Few of the markets visited by this reporter included the Kara Market on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Agege Market and Mosolashi Market at Iyana-Ipaja
A seller identified as Adamu Mohammed at the Mosallashi Meat Market in Lagos, told Business Post that sales have not been encouraging at all.
“People have not been coming to buy rams because of the hardship in the country. Last year was better. Things are hard,” Mr Mohammed told this reporter.
Another seller, who identified himself Alhaji Danladi Umaru at Agege, said those who come to buy rams turn back immediately they are told the price.
He said they have only managed few sales since last week, but hopes things get better before the end of the week.
The sellers were unanimous in their appeal to the government to ensure the economic situation in the country gets better. The sellers said they are already thinking of the loss they would incur if they are unable to sell the rams.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka