By Maria Famakinwa

Christmas day is always looked forward to by Christian families as it is a time to show love, bond with family members, unite with friends and hold meetings with age grades and associations, among others.  

However, with few days to December 25, it is surprising that the excitement, thrill, and splendour that usually herald one of the most celebrated festivities in the past appear to be missing this year as Nigerians groan under economic hardship.

Indeed, this year’s Christmas is different. For some Nigerians, the prevailing economic situation did not just dampen their joy, it has denied them the usual colourful celebration. Economically, most Nigerians have struggled through the major part of the outgoing year with the cost of living reaching unprecedented levels just as the people’s purchasing power has continued to plummet. Some Nigerians spoke with The Hope on their preparations.

A public servant, Mrs. Olufunke Ayaba, explained that for many, it has been tales of woes and despair following the unending economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and the frightening level of insecurity across the country. “Even my children who usually demand Christmas gifts and clothes hardly ask this time around, they tend to understand the plights of their parents.

“What matters most to me is thanking God for life. I will celebrate Christmas as it comes. I told my husband that if it is fish we can afford on December 25, so be it. We are planning on how to pay our children’s school fees for next term. We have four children in private secondary schools. There is no point having an expensive Christmas celebration and not being able to pay their school fees next term.”

A similar experience was shared by a civil servant, Mr Abu Olomu, as he bemoaned the suffocating economic state of the country which he said has affected everything, including foodstuffs. He stated that these are difficult times for average Nigerians and that keeping one’s body and soul in good shape is no longer a child’s play.

His words: “A rubber of local rice is between N3000 and N3500 while that of foreign rice  goes for N4000 and above, depending on the brand. A rubber of white beans at a time was sold for N3500; thank God that the price has been reduced to N2000 now. What is most surprising to me is the Sawa fish that was known as the choice of the poorest of the poor. As we speak, a medium-size Sawa goes for N1300 while you must have N1500 to buy the big size. Titus fish is no go-area as one goes for N2500 and above depending on the size. The same goes for other foodstuffs. Two of my three children are in higher institutions. My family has been surviving on loan facilities from different online loan applications. My wife is also servicing loans, all to make ends meet. Things are expensive, and everyone is feeling the pinch.

“However, as Christians, we cannot but rejoice at the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ but I must be wise with it. I will be seen as an unserious father if I fail to pay my children’s tuition fees, especially those in higher institutions. Whatever money I can get now is for my children’s education against next year which is just a few weeks away. With the present economic situation, it is wise to celebrate with wisdom. Though, Christmas is a time to show love I cannot borrow or steal to show love to others, which is against the preaching of love which the Bible admonishes us to show, ” he said.

The story is the same with a petty trader, Mrs Blessing Onuoha, who urged the Federal Government to bring down the prices of foodstuffs for the masses’ sake. The woman who lamented that she could barely feed added that her sales and what her husband brought home were not enough to cater to the family’s needs.

Her words: “I sell pap and vegetables while my husband is an okada rider, yet our income is not enough for our large family. I have five children. Three in secondary school and two in primary, as you can see things for yourself, we are struggling to cope. I only cook rice mostly on Sundays except when a good Samaritan gives us rice because it is not convenient for me to buy a rubber of rice for N3000, which cannot last us three times. I cannot remember when last I bought a bottle of kerosene. We depend on sawdust and firewood.

“That Christmas is a few days away is not my concern, what is bothering me and my husband is how to balance up this year’s house rent before next year to avoid pilling up debts.

“For the Christmas celebration, I am hoping that God will send people to bless my family with foodstuffs as he did last year. Though I promised my children last year that this year’s Christmas would be better, I never knew living would be this tough. Prices of foodstuffs were better last year than this year, when many could not eat three square meals per day. Things would not have been this hard if the fuel subsidy was not removed.

“Is it not frustrating that we cannot pay for a room apartment? The place is no longer conducive for my family, yet we struggle to meet up with the payment. I don’t want to bother myself about how we will celebrate Christmas because God has always been sending helpers to us. Last year, my church distributed rice and vegetable oil to the needy which I also benefitted from. I pray they should be able to do the same this year because that is my family’s hope. Otherwise, we will fall back to garri, which is still affordable for my family.”

A Surveyor, Mr Akeem Ajiboye, explained that the harsh economy would not affect his Christmas celebration, though he would not be able to carry out all his plans.

He said: “I planned to buy new clothes for my wife and children and give out gifts to friends but I have canceled all that due to the situation on the ground. I have told my family to exercise patience till when things improve. However, I will make sure that we have enough to eat during Christmas because it comes once a year.

“People should understand that Christmas celebration goes beyond eating rice and chicken. It is to give thanks to God for life. If you are thoughtful enough and remember that many who started the year are no more, you will have every reason to thank God. If you understand the fact that some people up till now are still missing without any trace, you will appreciate God better. Let’s forget about the removal of the fuel subsidy that brought untold hardship to us, but thank God for sparing our lives because some people who can sustain themselves despite the harsh economic situation have died. It is only the living who can celebrate Christmas. Let’s give God the grace for life and celebrate Christmas within our limits. When you see December 25 in that light, you will be less worried about what to eat or put on but be grateful to God for sparing your life. Living conditions are tough no doubt, but God has been sustaining us. Let’s give thanks to God for keeping us safe despite all odds and celebrate Christmas within our means,” he advised.