The emir of Damaturu, Dr Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar El-Kanemi, has appealed to traders to support the ordinary people by reducing the prices of essential goods in the state.
He expressed concern that the prices of essential commodities are much higher and unaffordable to the common man.
The emir, who made this appeal in his palace in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, said Nigerians suffer in many spheres of life.
He said, “There is an urgent need to call on business tycoons to lower the prices of food items to make it affordable to the poor.”
The monarch urged traders in the state to do everything possible to cut the prices of commodities in the people’s interest and to assist the less privileged.
He said, ” I want to inform you that we are worried about the rising prices of commodities in the state. We implored the traders to make essential goods more affordable for the general public.”
He emphasised that excessive profits, particularly on essential items like food, go against moral principles.
He acknowledged the economic hardship faced by the less fortunate, particularly their struggles to afford essential food items in Yobe and Nigeria as a whole.
He advised traders to explore ways to make their prices affordable to ordinary citizens without suffering financial losses.
The emir also urged organisations to redouble their efforts to assist people with disabilities and those with fewer privileges.