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FULL DETAILS EMERGED| ANOTHER POPULAR NIGERIAN POLITICIAN IS DEAD JUST BECAUSE OF THIS.As Christians across Nigeria join in the global celebration of Christmas, many families are feeling the weight of the country’s ongoing economic challenges, which have made this festive season a bittersweet affair for many. ...Tap To Read The Full Story Here | ..Tap To Read The Full Story Here...
The soaring inflation, high transportation costs, and rising prices of essential goods have significantly impacted the traditional celebrations, making it harder for Nigerians to fully embrace the festive spirit.
This year, traveling during Christmas, typically a time for family reunions, has become financially daunting for many. Transportation fares have surged by over 50%, a direct consequence of the fuel subsidy removal and its subsequent effects on fuel prices. A commercial bus fare that once cost N15,000 has now risen to N25,000 for short-distance trips, with longer journeys—such as from Abuja to Lagos or Port Harcourt—now reaching N45,000, up from N30,000 just a few months ago.
Many Nigerians, particularly those in urban areas, have been forced to send money home instead of traveling themselves. For others, like those heading to villages in the Southeast and South-South, the decision to travel comes with the harsh reality of paying inflated fares. “The cost implications are huge,” said Abdulaziz Alowonle, a bus driver on the Abuja-Ilorin route. “Most families can’t travel together anymore. It’s usually the men traveling, leaving their families behind because of the high costs.”
While some are disheartened by the price hikes, others are determined to maintain their Christmas traditions. “We, the Igbos, don’t care about the cost of travelling during the Christmas season. It’s a privilege to return to the village,” said Nkwegu Julius, traveling to Ebonyi State, where he paid N40,000 for his ticket. Despite the high fares, he remains committed to the tradition of family reunions.FULL DETAILS EMERGED| ANOTHER POPULAR NIGERIAN POLITICIAN IS DEAD JUST BECAUSE OF THIS.
Alongside transportation costs, food prices have also skyrocketed. Essential items such as rice, vegetables, and meats have seen price increases of up to 100% in the past year, further tightening the financial strain on families trying to prepare traditional Christmas meals. A bag of rice that once sold for N75,000 is now priced at N107,000, while the cost of vegetable oil has more than tripled, from N6,000 to N19,000. In markets across Abuja’s suburbs, a chicken now costs between N15,000 and N20,000, a significant increase from the previous price of N10,000.
The cost of Christmas trees and decorations has also risen sharply, with a tree that cost N10,000 last year now selling for N15,000. According to Ike Uguru, a seller of Christmas decorations, fewer people are buying festive items this year. “People are more focused on affording food for the holidays than buying decorations,” he said, highlighting the shift in priorities as families struggle to make ends meet.
Despite these economic pressures, some Nigerians are choosing to press on with their holiday plans, seeing Christmas as a time to reconnect with family and uphold cherished traditions, no matter the cost. FULL DETAILS EMERGED| ANOTHER POPULAR NIGERIAN POLITICIAN IS DEAD JUST BECAUSE OF THIS.
However, for many others, the season is a reminder of the economic challenges that have made even the simplest celebrations more difficult to afford...Tap To Read The Full Story Here.
