BY AWELE OGBOGU
When asked about their plans for this year’s Christmas celebration, many could not help but reveal their anxiety over a celebration amidst worsening economic hardship, insecurity and not knowing what would happen next, from a potential fuel price increase to disease outbreak, among others.
Few weeks to Christmas, tales of anxiety are in the air for most Christians as they gear up for a low-key celebration due to economic hardship coupled with insecurity. Christmas is celebrated every year with funfair with many returning home to celebrate the festivity with family and friends.
This year, there is no rush for rice or clothing. Christmas discounts are slow in coming as businesses can hardly break even these days, not to talk of give-aways and other freebies for their customers. Indeed, people are taking each day as it comes. Due to the prevailing economic situation in the country, many say it may not be a rosy celebration this year.
A visit to markets in Asaba and surrounding markets revealed a rise in food prices while retailers and traders complain of low patronage. The Pointer reports that rice, tomatoes, groundnut oil and others which used to be highly sought after before Christmas are now out of reach of many residents. Speaking on how Christmas will be celebrated this year, Kingsley Gyubok, a federal civil servant in Asaba but a native of Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State said Christmas celebration for him this year will be low-key and simple. “Surely, I will celebrate the Christmas with what is available especially by reaching out to friends and family. But certainly, I won’t go into debts just for the day since we have no idea how life will be after the celebration”, he said.
Gyubok advised youths to be mindful of what they consume during the festivity and make plans for the future. “Parents should equally teach their children the importance of Christmas and not just the celebration. Let love lead, let tolerance guide us and let that humility of Jesus Christ be seen in Christians”, he said. Juliana Gregory said her celebration of Christmas would be low-key due to the high cost of food items as well as insecurity in many places. On her part, Salome Okeke, a single mother in Asaba said she will get the necessary food items for her children after which she will go to church and thank God for surviving the year under Tinubu. “I have no plan of going anywhere apart from church”, she added.
Joel Adegboyega, a business man, said “last year, you could get a cow for less than N100,000 but this year, even a small cow is above N200,000. All food prices are hiked beyond imagination and there is no increase in income. Even if we want to make it a big one, the money to foot the bills is not there, so it is going to be low-key”, he said.
Speaking to The Pointer, a cleric, Rev. John Joseph said hardship and other challenges of life are not new to the season, adding that Christians will celebrate the Christmas despite the inflation and hardship in the country. “We will disappoint Satan and his agents to find reasons to be happy despite the hardship because the reason for Christians celebration is above the pains of hardship and the high prices”, he said. He added that the Bible enjoins Christians to be wise in the way they do everything and urged Christian leaders not to expose worshippers to risks by planning big celebrations without proper security measures.
“It is only the living that can celebrate Christmas. We are appealing to all Christians to use the Yuletide for sober reflections. Those who are financially more endowed are expected to help those who have less at these difficult times.
Christians the world over celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ and use the opportunity to express love for mankind. However, this year’s Christmas celebration appears to be another bleak one as a result of hardships occasioned by high food prices among other factors. Every Christmas brings a feeling of nostalgia as Christian families prepare for exchange of gift items, visits and other activities while celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ every December 25.
Many business owners use the opportunity to hike prices of goods and services nearly beyond the reach of average families, thereby denying them the joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. In the transportation sector, fares are over increased by over 50% often discouraging many from travelling, except for more pressing reasons like wedding, child dedication, burial ceremonies, and family meetings, among others. The removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led to an increase in fuel prices and transportation fares. Consequently, many people have opted to send money to loved ones at home instead of travelling to villages for Christmas.
Also, as a result of economic hardship, occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, which has led to increase in food items and hitherto affordable items, many people have painted a picture of a bleak Christmas, compared to previous years. This year, many Christians and their well-wishers have shelved the idea of travelling as transport companies have increased fares.
Amos Uwem said that “There is always a pattern during the Christmas and New Year period. From my experience of over 20 years as a driver, many people travel to the village from the cities, while a few others move in the opposite direction. It is always a one-way thing. “Therefore, there are usually a few available vehicles available to travellers; so we have to maximise the situation by increasing the transport fares from between 20 and 50 per cent. “This is because drivers taking passengers to their villages often return without up to five passengers. In order words, they return with empty vehicles.
The few passengers they pick along the way pay little money for the driver to add to his fuel money. “Again, it is not our fault that the demand for vehicles to travel is usually not met because so many people want to travel, whereas there are only a few buses available. Simple mathematics or economics will tell you that we will have to use the opportunity of many demands to make money while travelling to the village as we will lose when coming back to the cities with empty buses. Moreover, bus fares are usually more affordable compared to air fares.”
It is not a surprise that prices of food items have skyrocketed as many citizens are known to hike prices when it is celebration time, thereby making items unaffordable particularly at festive periods. For instance, prices of onions, yam, rice, beans, semolina, fish, tomatoes and other items are usually hiked by traders, who cite high transportation costs, high demands and other factors as reasons.
A market survey conducted by this reporter in showed that prices of almost all the food items, especially those needed to celebrate the Yuletide, have increased. Appallingly, there appears to be scarcity of Naira notes at ATMs and banking halls.
A civil servant, Mrs. Blessing Oghenekaro said Point of Sale (PoS) operators were making matters worse by hiking charges. “I won’t be making a mistake to say this is going to be the bleakest Christmas ever to be celebrated by Nigerians. I had the worst experience on Wednesday when I visited different ATMs in Asaba, but didn’t get a single cash in all the banks I visited.
“At the end, I was forced to patronise a PoS operator. Imagine having money in your account and not having access to it. How are we going to enjoy Christmas without cash? On his part, a businessman, Mr. Joseph Nnamdi, said money is important in celebrating the yuletide as there are many aged people without bank accounts that would appreciate cash from their family members.
“Cash is needed to celebrate Christmas. There are so many things cash is needed for, including gifting people. For instance, you can’t transfer money to your grand mother and other people who may not have bank accounts or knowledge of digital banking. Such people need physical cash, which is why the scarcity of cash is pointing to a bleak Christmas”, he said.
“Discouragingly, many private establishments hesitate to pay salaries to their workers, thereby directly and indirectly contributing to the workers’ plights at Christmas. A worker in a logistics firm said his organisation has not paid for his services since October and that there is no possibility for his travelling home to celebrate the Yuletide.
He said: “I come from Cross River state and I usually travel to my hometown every Christmas to celebrate with my family back home as we usually get a week off to celebrate the Yuletide. However, there is no possibility of travelling back home this Yuletide as a result of the non-payment of salary by my organisation. I really wanted to travel home this yuletide because I didn’t go home for Christmas last year. However, I don’t see that happening this year.
“I think the situation of the economy is generally affecting organisations. My office usually didn’t owe salary before, so the situation is a troubling one. I have not received my salary since October, so it will be a miracle to get it this Christmas. It is really discouraging so I am even looking for another job. If the situation persists, I will leave the organization by next year because I don’t see any future here again with the non-payment of salary I really worked for. Imagine when others will be preparing for Christmas, mine is with a bleak outlook because of the nonpayment of salary.”
On her part, a businesswoman and mother of three, Mrs. Gloria Attah, said the cost of living will not allow her to travel with her family as they usually do every yuletide. She said: “A lot needs to be done as there is hunger and suffering in the land and people are helpless. I am appealing that more measures be put in place to ameliorate the sufferings of citizens and enable them to enjoy the coming festive period. There is a high cost of living in the country with little or no money to purchase items.
“I am almost forgetting that Christmas is about a month away because I am yet to see or smell it around my vicinity, unlike how it had been in the past. Things are very tough and many families struggle to feed and get by. I thank God for my petty business because it puts food on my table.
“We always travel to the village as a family every festive period. This time, I do not think we are going anywhere because the cost of fueling our vehicle to the village is very high, and I can’t guarantee the safety of my family on the road.
An economic expert, Amaka Chiwuike Uba, said many Nigerians will still over spend at Christmas, despite their poor economic status.
He said: “As the 2024 Christmas approaches, one can only hope that a deeper understanding of the prevailing challenges and a collective desire for change will eventually encourage a shift towards more prudent spending habits. The reevaluation of societal norms, coupled with a recognition of the long-term consequences of extravagant celebrations amidst economic hardships, may provide a glimmer of hope for a more sustainable and equitable future for all Nigerians.
“Monies are spent recklessly on unnecessary items and extravagant indulgences, driven solely by the desire to conform and be regarded as part of the lavish spending crowd. Simultaneously, many individuals are burdening themselves with debts in a desperate attempt to fulfill their Christmas shopping desires. At the end of each year, numerous employers bestow bonuses upon their employees, which, instead of being saved for rainy days, are impulsively squandered during the festive season. The societal expectation placed upon parents to provide their children with a grand Christmas experience often leads to a sense of failure if they cannot afford extravagant gifts.
“Considering the prevailing cost-of-living crisis and the mounting pressure on incomes, it is crucial for Nigerians to re-direct their spending towards essential and affordable indulgences. It is imperative to prioritise prudent use of resources during this year’s Christmas festivity, as Nigeria may encounter even more profound economic challenges in the approaching year. Wisely managing personal finances is not only a prudent approach, but also a profitable one, ensuring stability and sustainability in the face of adversity.”
Uba said “worries have been whirling up in the minds of Nigerians as the Yuletide draws near. Most roads in the South eastern part of the country are militarised and covered with check-points purposely suited for extortions. Not minding the hardship, while the economy and body language of the sly, furtive APC political leaders make everyone anxious and nervous.
Christmas, a cultural and religious festivity, was first celebrated in Rome around 336 A.D. Controversies have surrounded the celebration of Christmas among Christians, such as the Arians in the 300s and the Puritans in the 800s. Preparations for Christmas involve a multitude of activities, and people typically buy decorations, food, and gifts for children in their families and for friends. The Christmas Day celebration traditions of carols, gift exchange, food, and music are gradually fading away. Christmas joy used to be the most memorable, with Father Christmas dressed in his fluffy red and white costume, greeting children with hugs and gifts. Christians around the globe celebrate Christmas with great enthusiasm each year. The essence of Christmas goes far beyond material possessions, transcending any circumstances. It is a celebration of hope, love, and compassion. While some have said that inflation and insecurity can never stop Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, this year’s festivities are proving especially difficult for many families. Low purchasing power has traditionally dampened Christmas cheer, and even basic cooking ingredients like onions, spices, and condiments are beyond the reach of many Nigerians, let alone staples like rice and beans.
The cleric, Rev. Joseph said Christmas tells us that Jesus Christ came into the world to fight injustice and secure freedom for the oppressed. “Is there someone you can be kind to today? There are hurting people all around us who desperately need to feel noticed, to feel loved and wanted. They need someone to show them kindness. The Government on the other hand should not revert to Mr. Grinch; who is so mean, so dull and too demanding as Christians celebrate Christmas.
Rev. Joseph said “Christmas is an annual festival commemorated by Christians and non-Christians alike all over the world. The Christmas holidays, bonuses, and gifts brighten the face of workers, employees and fill the bump of expectancy in every life. “In conclusion, we must understand that regardless of the challenges Nigeria faces, thriving during these difficult times enhances the true meaning of Christmas. While adults previously worried about over-indulging during the holidays, such concerns are not a luxury in 2024 in Nigeria. As we struggle, endure, and survive, we may wonder if there is an end in sight. We must search for common ground and acknowledge that political leadership around the world, particularly in Africa, falls short. Family issues, entrepreneurship struggles, health challenges, and unexpected setbacks can make us feel like there is no hope. However, instead of dwelling on pity, regret, and anger, we should focus on recovery. We have a choice: focus on what we have, keep things simple, reach out to others, embrace traditions, and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Do you find that some people use this occasion to over-indulge in eating and drinking? Does drunken, rowdy behavior disturb the peace of your community? Although many sincere people demonstrate outstanding kindness and consideration at Christmas, their efforts do not prevent the damaging of family relationships so common at this season. You may well ask then,
“Why does Christmas produce such excesses of bad conduct?’ Basically, because it can be unchristian for many. Can you imagine Christ being pleased with that? Hardly. Indeed, in frank terms, the Bible reasons that “What fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial [Satan]?”, he preached. Nevertheless, investigations showed that many do not need to be preached to as they are being guided by their pockets which is getting lighter by the day as Christmas approaches, while hunger and hardship exacerbates.
