Amidst the economic hardship and financial difficulties, Nigerians join their counterparts across the globe to celebrate Christmas and New Year with hope in their hearts.
In Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria, the situation is not different from other parts of the country, as the prices of essential goods and transportation have caused many citizens of the state not to travel to celebrate the Yuletide with their families and friends.
When Voice of Nigeria (VON) visited the Lafia Neighbourhood Market, the turnout of people was not much as compared with the year 2023.
A trader who sells hair and nails, Mr. Emeka Chwukudi, said the turnout of customers this year is very low and worrisome.
“When I try calling people to come toss my shop and buy hair and nails, some would even insult me saying we are looking for money for food not to buy this nonsense, it breaks my heart, as is only when my goods are purchased that I can also buy food to take to my family,” she said.
When VON visited a beauty salon at Isa Mustafa Agwai Polytechnic Lafia, the hairdresser, Faith John, lamented about the level of turnout of customers in 2024, which was very bad as compared to 2023; some who managed to come for their hair and nails complained of the high cost of the hair and nails.
A customer at the beauty parlour, Miss Doris Peter, said the high cost of the hair and nails made many of us girls not to make our hair or fix our nails for the celebration.
“A hair which was sold at the rate of N3000 in 2023 is now N4500 while breading which was N2500 in 2023 is now N5000, also the nails which I fixed during yuletide in 2023 for N2000, is now N7000, you can see the price tag for yourself, it just too much, with this price and current economic situation, how do you expect many girls to be able to beautify themselves this season?”
Voice of Nigeria extended its coverage to Lafia Modern Market to investigate the prices of essential items such as chicken, goats, tomatoes, pepper, and onions. It felt like another “battle of Musagan,” with prices skyrocketing.
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A single chicken now costs ₦25,000, a sharp increase from ₦10,000 in 2023. Similarly, the prices of local chicken, goats, and cows have also surged significantly, reflecting the steep rise in market costs.
Though the Renewed Hope Initiative of the Nigerian First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, distributed the sum of N200,000 thousand naira each to 250 elderly citizens across the thirteen local government areas of Nasarawa State, which helped to relieve beneficiaries and their families during the Yuletide period.
The First Lady further congratulated the senior citizens who had been selected as beneficiaries. Urging them to remember to prioritize their health even as they all enjoy and celebrate the festive season.
“Eat well, stay hydrated, and do a little exercise like walking and getting adequate rest. Spend quality time with loved ones and do what you enjoy and makes you happy,” she noted.
Voice of Nigeria went around the state capital Lafia to get the people’s view on the New Year resolution.
A student, Yusuf Umar, said, “I prayed for the Renewed Hope as president Bola Tinubu promised since assumptions in office in May 2022, because at the rate at which Nigeria is going, we only pray for good things as we entered the 2025 healthy.”
A businessman, Ahmed Jibrin, said, “I hoped and prayed that President Tinubu keep to his promise, as none of what he said has come to pass because Nigeria has been suffering since his inauguration when the fuel subsidy was removed. Nigerians continue to suffer to date. I just don’t want any negative thoughts for my dear nation; that is why I only pray for the good of the country.”
A civil servant, Mrs. Ruth Polycab, said, “As a civil servant, all I can wish and pray for is the betterment of the country, as we are suffering due to the economic hardship on the ground.”
Despite the harsh economic situation, Nasarawa State citizens were still able to have a joyous end-of-year celebration and prayed for a better year in 2025.
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