By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
A Nigerian pastor has rallied over 1,000 Christian and Muslim volunteers to engage with traders in markets across Northern Nigeria, urging them not to increase commodity prices as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, led a delegation of Christian pastors and reverends to Barnawa Market in Kaduna South, where they met with the market’s chairman and union leaders.
“We are here to implore you to kindly lower the prices of foodstuffs as Ramadan approaches,” Pastor Buru stated.
“This will allow our Muslim brothers and sisters to fully participate in the fasting season.”
The team is initiating a widespread campaign throughout Northern Nigeria, advocating for price reductions on goods and services during Ramadan.
Pastor Buru emphasized that this initiative aims to encourage traders to make food affordable for Muslims during their fasting period.
“Our goal is to ensure that Muslims can purchase food and fruits at reasonable prices throughout the 30 days of fasting,” he explained.
“It would displease God for any trader to raise prices and exploit the sanctity of this holy season.”
Pastor Buru highlighted the importance of engaging with traders to emphasize the need for fair pricing during Ramadan, which begins in less than three weeks.
He urged them not to exploit the occasion through artificial scarcity or hoarding.
Every year, Pastor Buru undertakes similar outreach efforts before Ramadan, visiting markets in Kaduna and other regions of Northern Nigeria to plead with traders to reduce food prices.
“This year’s 2026 campaign commenced at Barnawa Market and will extend to other markets throughout the North, with the aim of appealing to traders to lower prices to facilitate Muslims’ participation in Ramadan,” he stated.
The campaign mobilizes over 1,000 Muslim and Christian scholars from across the 19 Northern states, advocating for market unions to reduce prices for the benefit of the holy month.
Pastor Buru assured that the team would continue their market visits to ensure that Muslims can afford food as Ramadan begins, stressing the urgency of their advocacy in light of rising food prices.
He noted that prior to each Ramadan, Christian and Muslim clerics typically convene discussions with traders about the significance of the holy month and the need to avoid unjust price hikes or creating artificial scarcity.
This marks Pastor Buru’s 15th outreach initiative in markets ahead of Ramadan in Kaduna and other Northern states, emphasizing the necessity for accessible and affordable food for Muslims during this significant period.
The clerics plan to visit Sheikh Gumi Central Market, Railway Market, and Barnawa Market, among others in Kaduna.
In separate comments, Reverend Titus Ishaya Joshua urged Kaduna marketers to show compassion by lowering food prices, suggesting that such actions would bring divine blessings.
Reverend Immanuel John echoed these sentiments, expressing solidarity with Muslims preparing for Ramadan and urging traders to refrain from exploiting the holy month through price increases.
In response, Mallam Abdullahi Suleman, Chairman of Barnawa Market, expressed gratitude for the visit and assured that market leadership would engage traders to take appropriate action.
“The rewards for any trader who reduces food prices during Ramadan are immense,” he stated, pledging to encourage compliance among market vendors.
Additionally, Youth Leader Mallam Gambo Abdullahi expressed his appreciation for the visit and called for ongoing prayers for peace and unity among Muslims and Christians in the country.
