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WikkiData: Food Prices Soar as Christians Celeberate 2024 Christmas

Prices of foodstuff and animals primarily used during Christmas celebration have soared as Christian faithful set for the 2024 Yuletide.

WikkiTimes survey of Markets in Bauchi few days the commencement of Christmas and New Year festive periods have confirmed rise in prices of basic food items and livestock commonly slaughtered during these periods in comparison to the 2023 festive period.

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WikkiTikes confirmed the prices increases and low patronage in the popular Muda Lawal Market in Bauchi metropolis and a weekly market in Darazo LGA, with prices of cows and chickens doubling previous year.

Ahmad Ibrahim, a marketer in Darazo said this year’s prices have doubled that of previous year with a grown-up ram selling averagely at N250,000 a price that you can buy two rams of the same size in 2023.

According to him, prices of goats which are popular during Christmas and New Year celebrations also skyrocketed with a middle goat selling at N60,000 on the average. He said it was sold at N40,000 last year on the average. 

“This year the price has risen unlike last year, now for you to buy a reasonable ram you must be having N90,000 and above. This one you are seeing is N250,000”, said Ibrahim.

“In a festive period like this, this market will be filled with buyers, some making last minute purchases, but look at the market today, only sellers dominate the market as buyers are not coming. This is as a result of the prices” he added. 

Ibrahim said a ram of N100,000 last year is now above N200,000 while a buck (male goat) of N50,000 below is being sold at N90,000 or N80,000 minimum. He noted that most of the customers coming to buy prefer small ones due to their low prices. 

Corroborating Ibrahim, a poultry trader in Muda Lawan Market, Mustapha Dan Madiga said there is a sharp increase in prices of chickens which he said drive away buyers.

Dan Madiga said a local chicken that could be bought for N3,000 is now being sold at N7,000 while guinea fowl prices also rose to N8,000 and above in some markets.

“The price of chickens has skyrocketed due to inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies. Last year, a chicken could be bought for N3,000, but now prices range from N7,000 to N20,000. Many Christians cannot afford this for their celebrations,” he said.

Abubakar Bappayo, another trader in Darazo market said, “last year we bought chickens at N2,500 but this year it is either N3,500 or N5,000, and the one we bought at N5,000 last year it is now N9,000 or more and we have to add our charges being middlemen”.

Aminu Mai Manja, a palm oil trader in Muda Lawal Market bemoaned the situation, as according to him the items being commonly used during the festive season and households have been jacked up.

 “Last week, a 25-liter gallon of palm oil sold for N57,000, but it has now risen to N62,000. Yet, customers are not coming, and the market is no longer crowded as it used to be during Christmas,” he noted.

The story is the same at Kasuwar Shanu, a major cattle market in Bauchi. Alhaji Auwal Garba, a cattle trader, described the market as deserted, with very few customers. 

“Before, you could buy 100 cows for N10 million, but now the same amount buys only 10 cows. The removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government has worsened inflation and weakened purchasing power,” he stated.

However, WikkiTimes analysis of the prices of perishable items shows slight decrease in prices of tomatoes, irish potatoes etc, with little patronage from would be-buyers.

Malam Muhammad Sani and Babangida Mai Doya, vendors specializing in perishables, expressed concern over the dwindling customer base. 

“Despite prices dropping compared to last year, people are not coming to buy. The economic downturn has left many financially vulnerable. Last year, a basket of tomatoes sold for N13,000, but now it goes for N11,000 or N12,000, yet there are no buyers,” Sani, lamented

On his part, Babangida said “last year, a sack of Irish potatoes cost N110,000, but it now sells for N100,000. Similarly, onions, previously sold at N250,000 per sack, now go for N200,000”. 

“Despite these reductions, customers are scarce due to the tough economic conditions,” he said in a lamenting voice.

Christian Faithfuls Expressed Mixed Feelings

Reverend Benga Adeniji, former Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Misau LGA chapter said despite all year preparations, the increasing prices of basic commodities is unbearable to many Christians and their families.

According to him many faithful originally from the South but now living in the north have forsaken going home to celebrate the periods with family due to increase in transport fares and high cost of living.

“Actually, the situation now is just for us to give glory to God for making us alive and healthy to witness this period. The prices of basic commodities have doubled while others tripled, it is higher than previous years”.

 The Reverend Father said last year, many families in his church have visited home to celebrate the festive season, but this year none of them travelled.

“Last year many church members went home but as I am talking to you now, we are all here in Misau. The high cost of living is much.  For instance, if I go to Oyo, I’ll be spending N50,000 just to go there alone. Last year, with N100,000 you can finance your journey to and fro and some spendings”, he said.

On her part, Victoria Joseph, a Bauchi resident, lamented that skyrocketing prices of commodities and high cost of living makes her unable to afford other things she used to do during these festive periods.

“Surviving now is difficult. Prices have doubled, making it hard to afford basic commodities”,she said. 

Similarly, Elizabeth Emmanuel said “now people have to weigh the necessity of an item before buying,” noting that sometimes she has to buy what she needs not minding the prices as a necessity.

 “The choice is yours—to buy or leave it. We just have to adapt to the situation,” she said.

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