Hunger: Damaturu Emir begs traders to consider poor people, reduce food prices in Yobe

In view of acute hunger pervading the land, the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi II, Ibn Umar Al-Amin Elkenemi has appealed traders in the State to reduce prices of food stuff and other essential goods so that poor people can affordably buy.

He expressed concern that poor and common could no longer afford to buy essential goods.

LEADERSHIP on Sunday quoted the first class traditional ruler to have said, people are suffering from hunger in the land, stressing that, “there is urgent need to call on business tycoons to lower the prices of food items to be affordable to the poor.”

In the interest of the poor masses, the monarch said, traders in Yobe State should do whatever they can to reduce prices of food stuff and other essential goods so that it would go a long way in assisting the commoners.

According to him, “I want to inform you that, we are worried about the rising prices of commodities in the state. I implore the traders to make essential goods more affordable for the general public, especially the less privileged.”

He emphasised that excessive profits, particularly on essential items like food, go against moral principles while charging government officials to continue assisting the less privileged persons.

He acknowledged the economic hardship faced by the less fortunate, particularly their struggle to afford basic food items in Yobe and Nigeria at large.

The traditional ruler further advised the traders to sell at affordable rates and to explore various means to make their prices accessible to ordinary citizens.

He also urged various organisations in the society to redouble their efforts in assisting persons with disabilities and less privileged to survive this period.