Its December, the last month of the year, accompanied with its hallmark cool harmattan breeze. ‘Happy new month’’ felicitation text messages have been flying around since the very first day of this month which ordinarily should evoke sweet memories. For, as the Christmas/holiday season sets in and a new year beckons, there should generally be that feeling of bliss from within. Alas it is different this year. Beneath that unctuous “Happy New Month’’, ‘Happy Last Month’ greetings lie a tinge of anxiety in everyone and for not a few, fear as to whether they, we shall all be able to navigate through this December, unscathed.
December is usually laced with countless social, religious and cultural gathererings cum festivities. COVID clipped many outdoor events last year, leading to cancellation of many shows. With the COVID restrictions relaxed, the gatherings are back, albeit attendees would be required to wear nose masks, although this is observed more in the breech. Still, Nigerians who generally are an outgoing and partying people are looking forward to return of all forms of entertainment. December is the crowning month of all entertainments at village, community, state and federal levels. We are already in the holiday mood.
All four Saturdays of December, except Christmas Day are already packed full, fully booked for multiple wedding ceremonies nationwide. As December 25 falls on a Saturday, the remaining three Saturdays of this month are especially busy for marriage events; Saturday, December 18, in particular. Most people attending social and other festive occasions this December would be masking their concerns, putting up pretensious, diplomatic cheerfulness. They would constantly, albeit secretly, be thinking up how to survive this December, amidst dwindling purchasing power with runaway inflation, rising unemployment, all of which make everyday living quite a struggle for most Nigerians. Many Nigerians have fallen into the category of those who live per day, that is, buying what is needed everyday rather than the former practice of stocking up necessities for weeks as this is no longer sustainable given harsh economic realities.
As a matter of fact most households now eat twice or once a day. The notion of having three square meals everyday is now archaic, only the rich can afford such luxury now. Even preparing the two or one solitary daily meal for the table is becoming more exerting. Cooking gas which is associated with middle income earners and some low income households has had its price skyrocket by some 100 per cent, leading to scarcity and rising cost of other alternative energy fuels as firewhadood and charcoal, resulting from increased demand for them.Kerosine been a ‘no go’ area for most people.
Firewood sellers have run out of stock as roadside eateries and other restaurants that dot our neighbourhoods apparently mop them up to enable them remain in business by maintaining their current menu rates. Consequently, charcoal retail prices are also rising. I predict that sooner or later restaurants and their ilk would have to raise the cost of a plate of food if they are to break even.
Their customers would then have to adjust their eating habits accordingly. Food is among the basic necessities of life here; the others being shelter and clothing. We have to eat in order to keep body and soul together. Price of a sachet of water once regarded as the cheapest thing one can buy in our country has been doubled.
Every other retailer/trader in every other sector has also followed suit. Normally people expect price increases in the month of December, occasioned by rise in demand as households prepare for the yuletide. To sidestep this, many people buy up things for the celebrations in this first and second week, in advance. In recent times however, prices of consumer goods have been increasing so frequently that most have resigned themselves to fate regarding what to expect in the market place. The situation calls prudent management of one’s scarce resources, thus we have to cut our cloth according to its length, according to what we have at hand.
Hampers, once a common feature of December as Christmas gifts by corporate and government organizations are fast disappearing. Cow meat, a delicacy of this season has been priced out of reach of many, caused by prevailing insecurity, cattle rustling by bandits and the perennial herders/farmers conflict.
Chicken, the most popular during this time is no less expensive as the sellers too complain of astronomical cost of chicken feeds. Whereever you turn to, inflation stares you in the face. There would be less Christmas shopping this December as many people make do with what they have, digging out previous wears to give them a sparkling wash and crisp ironing to make them look as good as ‘new’.
Fortunatley in this part of the world Christmas clothes are ‘bottom box’ wears, they are worn only for special occasions. So, the previous ones can still serve same purpose, especially for children that are more obsessed with Christmas than adults. More and more families are withdrawing their children/wards from private schools to public schools. Private schools have joined the long queue of organizations now charging what is apparently cut throat rates for their services. They give a litany of reasons why this is so. When you consider that there are house rents, school fees, utility bills to be settled, you would understand why many, many Nigerians are literally, wearing long faces this December.
Added to this is that the tribe of money lenders is diminishing. Nobody is willing or rather is in a position to lend his/her neighbor a kobo at this time. The only ones ready to part with their monies are the cut throat professional money lenders who live by it. The rumour that fuel could rise above N200 per litre next year is giving many Nigerians sleepless nights; because, it would have ripple effects on virtually every other sector. Should it become reality, then cost of most goods and services would not only shoot to the roof as they currently are but above the roof. Many are relunctant to travel to their villages this December, much as they would like to. They are watching their pockets, watching over market trends, worrying over mounting January bills. This December is like no other.
Ikeano, a journalist, writes via [email protected] 08033077519
