By Jimoh Ahmed, Owo.

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Muslim faithful in Akoko, Owo and Ose local government areas of Ondo State joined their counterparts around the globe on Thursday to commence the 2023 edition of the Ramadan fasting.

However,  they will be doing this in the face of the  cash scarcity problem,  rising cost of feeding and continuous hike in the price of foodstuffs in the area.

The  Hope  can authoritatively say that the usual glamour, enthusiasm and charitable activities associated with the beginning of Ramadan was very low due to prevailing economic situation in the country.

Meanwhile banks were also not helping the situation as some banks refused to open while few that operated did not pay cash under the pretext that there is no cash in there vaults.

This is coming on the backdrop of the decision of CBN, Nigeria’s apex bank to release old naira notes of N1000,  N500 and N200 in their custody to Deposit Money Banks for onward release into circulation.

A muslim faithful and the former Secretary to Akoko Divisional Council of Ansar Ud Deen Society of Nigeria, ADS, Alhaji Bakai Momodu said the cashless policy had negatively affected the charitable aspect of the Ramadan fasting while the poor and the needy are now at receiving ends.

In his goodwill message to muslims on the fasting period,  the Olubaka of Oka Akoko, Oba Dr Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, congratulated them for witnessing this year’s Ramadan fasting  ,urging them to observe the holy month with fear of Allah not minding the present situation.

The monarch appealed to well to do to extend their arms of fellowship to the needy.

Oba Adeleye encouraged Muslims to pray for leaders in the country, particularly the incoming administration to be a successful one.