By Maria Famakinwa

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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, hold meetings with age grade and associations among others.     

       However, with few days to December 25, it is surprising that the excitement, thrill and splendor that usually herald one of the most celebrated festivities in the past appear to be missing this year as Nigerians groan over 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 cost of living reaching unprecedented level 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 and the frightening level of insecurity across the country. “Even my children that usually demand for Christmas gifts and clothes hardly ask this time around, they tend to understand the plights of their parents.

 “What matter 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 are able to 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 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 congo of local rice is N1,400. That of beans is N800, Sawa, a fish that I could afford now goes for N400 per one. Two of my three children are in higher institutions. My family has been surviving on loans facilities from different online loan application. 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 help 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 after many months of ASUU strike which almost affected their academics.

The country’s present conditions are enough to discourage one from celebrating, but as Christians, our faith and trust for supply are in God.”

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 brings home were not enough to cater for the family’s needs.

“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. I cannot remember when last I bought a bottle of kerosene. We depends on sawdust and firewood.

“That Christmas is 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 on God who 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 but I never knew living would be this tough. In fact, prices of foodstuffs were better last year than this year when many could not eat three square meals per day.

“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 benefited. I pray they should be able to do 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 will not be able to carry out all his plans.

He said: “My plan was to buy new clothes for my wife and children and give out gifts to friends but I have cancelled all that due to the situation on 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 in a year.

“People should understand that Christmas celebration goes beyond eating rice and chicken but it is to give thanks to God for life. It is only the living who can celebrate Christmas. 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 condition is tough no doubt, but God has been sustaining us. Let’s celebrate Christmas within our means,” he advised.