Eid-el-Kabir 2024: Why Your Ram Slaughter Bill Don Increase

Photo: The Punch

My people, if you think say this Eid-el-Kabir go be like the previous ones wey you fit just carry your ram go abattoir without breaking bank, I get bad news for you o! Our brothers for Jigawa State don announce say they go increase the slaughter fees, and this thing go affect all of us wey dey plan to celebrate this holy festival.

Wetin Dey Happen for Ground?

According to reliable information wey we gather, the butchers association for Jigawa State don make am clear say the cost of slaughtering and processing meat during this Eid celebration go increase well well. The reason no be far-fetched at all - na the same wahala wey dey affect every other thing for this our beloved country: transportation cost don skyrocket, and inflation don bite everybody including the butchers themselves.

You see, these butchers no be wicked people o. Na just say the cost of doing business don increase for them too. The diesel wey them dey use for their generators don cost pass before, the knives and other equipment wey them need don expensive, and even the transportation of live animals to the slaughter houses don cost more than usual.

How This Thing Go Affect Your Pocket

For those of us wey dey plan to slaughter ram this Eid, make we prepare our mind say we go spend more money. If before you fit slaughter your ram with N2,000 to N3,000, now you fit spend up to N4,000 or even N5,000 depending on the size of the animal and where you dey.

This increase no be small thing o, especially for average Nigerian families wey don already dey struggle with the current economic situation. Many families wey dey plan to buy ram for this celebration fit now dey think twice because of these additional costs.

Smart Alternatives Wey You Fit Consider

But no panic! Your boy don think am through, and I get some budget-friendly alternatives wey you fit consider this Eid season:

• Group Slaughtering: You fit arrange with your neighbors or extended family members to buy one big cow together instead of individual rams. This way, the slaughter cost go divide among more people, making it cheaper for everybody.
• Choose Smaller Animals: Instead of going for big rams wey go cost you plenty money for slaughter, consider smaller goats. The slaughter fee go reduce, and you still go get your meat.
• DIY Processing: If you get the skill or you know somebody wey sabi, you fit handle the initial processing yourself after slaughter and only pay for the actual killing. This go reduce your overall cost.
• Travel to Neighboring States: If the increase for Jigawa too much, you fit check neighboring states where the fees might still be reasonable. But make sure say the transport cost no go cancel out the savings.
• Early Planning: Some abattoirs dey give discount for people wey book early. Try reach out to your local butcher make you arrange something before the rush period.

The Bigger Picture

This Jigawa butchers situation na just reflection of wetin dey happen across Nigeria. From Lagos to Kano, from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, everywhere you go, the cost of living don increase, and religious celebrations no dey exempted from this economic pressure.

E pain me say something wey suppose bring joy and spiritual fulfillment to families now dey cause financial stress. But make we no allow this economic wahala take away the spiritual essence of Eid-el-Kabir. The festival na about sacrifice, gratitude, and sharing with others, not about how big your ram be or how much you spend.

My Take on This Matter

As I dey watch this development, I dey reason say maybe na time for us to redefine how we celebrate our religious festivals. Instead of putting pressure on ourselves to do big slaughter wey go break bank, maybe we fit focus more on the spiritual aspect and find creative ways to still honor the tradition without going broke.

Some Islamic scholars sef dey talk say if the cost of ram dey cause financial hardship for you, you fit use that money do other good deeds like feeding the poor or helping needy families. After all, the main purpose of the sacrifice na to show devotion to Allah and help those wey no get.

Way Forward

For those of you wey still want proceed with traditional slaughter despite the cost increase, my advice na say make you budget well well. Don't borrow money or sell important things just to slaughter ram. The festival suppose bring peace, not financial headache wey go last till next year.

Also, try negotiate with your local butchers. Some of them fit be willing to reduce their fees small if you explain your situation well or if you don dey patronize them for long time.

At the end of the day, whether na big ram or small goat, whether you slaughter for abattoir or join group slaughter, the most important thing na the intention behind the act and how you use the celebration to strengthen your relationship with your creator and your community.

Eid Mubarak in advance, my people! Make we celebrate with wisdom and moderation.