By CHIDINMA EWUNONU-ALUKO

Some Christian faithful in Ibadan have decried the current harsh economic situation, occasioned by high inflation rate, saying this may impact negatively on their Christmas celebrations.

They stated this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan.

Mr David Akinbode bemoaned the inflation rate, saying it was worrisome and had negatively impacted on the living standard of most citizens.

Akinbode said unlike 2022 when the living standard was moderate, this year had been quite challenging for Nigerians economically.

“But for someone like me, I have decided to cut my coat according to available cloth, not according to size. I have decided to celebrate this year’s Christmas without running myself into unnecessary debt.

“I have informed my cousins and other relatives who used to celebrate Christmas in my house to stay back this year.

“I have also told my children not to expect new dresses this year but to dry clean what they already have for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“In addition to celebrating in modesty, I have decided to go for just one live chicken instead of the three that I used to buy in the past,” he said.

Akinbode further stated that Christmas expenses for this year in his home had been reduced to 30 per cent, while hoping that 2024 would be better.

“Notwithstanding, we still give glory to God for keeping us alive to witness this year’s Christmas,” he said.

Another resident, Mr Timothy Adepoju, attributed the hardship being experienced across the world, not just in Nigeria, as a contributory factor to the likely bleak Christmas for this year compared with how it used to be.

“This time last year, I had bought clothes for my wife and children, but as we speak, I am still waiting for the payment of the outstanding wage award by the Federal Government.

“If I get that money today, I will hit the market tomorrow and get many things done,” he said.

Also, Mrs Elizabeth Animashaun, a drinks seller, lamented that patronage had been very low this year unlike the previous years.

“I sell soft drinks and cold water. During a season like this, customers used to patronise me in their numbers. But now, there are no sales at all, and this is due to high inflation rate.

“We are just dancing away our sorrows, while trusting God to help us because it is only His intervention that we need at a time like this.

“Governments at all levels should also do their best to improve the economic situation of the country,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Iyabo Abiodun said the prices of chicken had gone so high that she and some others could not afford them.

“Imagine fowls being sold for between N12,000 and N17, 000, depending on the size. This is alarming.

“As things are now, I’m considering using ‘panla’ fish for Christmas because if I use N15,000 or N17, 000 to buy just one fowl, where will I get money to buy other foodstuffs?” she queried. (NAN)

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