Encomium
With the skyrocketing prices of food stuffs and other commodities, bread winners are moaning and feeling the heat. State governments are owing salaries and privately owned companies downsizing. ENCOMIUM Weekly sampled opinions of bread winners about the state of the economy and how they are coping…
MARTINS OBEKPA
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes, the state of the economy has made things quite difficult. And it is so sad that things are the way they are now.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
The pain is in all areas, it’s so bad that I can’t even tell which area is more saddled.
What do you think is the way out?
The federal government should make adjustments where necessary, so people won’t die of suffering.
- DAMILARE
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Things are not as easy as they used to be. Working and taking care of the family has not been easy, I am the only one working, my wife is a full house wife.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
To be honest, I’m feeling the bite in all areas, because prices have skyrocketed.
What do you think is the way out?
My wife is already looking for a job, I hope she gets one soon so the burden won’t too much for me.
MR AFARIOGUN AFEEZ
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Things have not been so easy. Everything seems to be so expensive now.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
School fees have been increased, and food stuff has been turned into gold.
What do you think is the way out?
Only the federal government can help us find a way out of this present predicament. The fall of the Naira is mainly the cause of everything that’s going on at the moment, and if the naira rises a bit, things will get better.
OLUFEMI LAWAL
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes, things have become more difficult and almost everyone seems to be affected. My place of work is folding up and I’m seriously trying to get another job.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
My house rent has been increased, food stuff too has gotten quite expensive.
What do you think is the way out?
The way out is for the government to address the current situation of the economy.
AKINTAN ADEWALE
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes the state of the economy has made things very difficult and it is only the grace of God that has kept us this far. It hasn’t been easy at all.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
House rent, feeding and school fees. Those three went up in a blink of an eye. There are so many expenses on ground but little funds to take care of them.
What do you think is the way out?
I am a business man, so I would double my hustle. In the same vein, the Federal Government should please, make things better for us.
ADE ARIORI
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes things have been difficult, and there is little or nothing we can do about it other than to work harder than usual. It’s not been easy at all.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
I am feeling the bite in all areas, and I’m already in debt, because my salary hasn’t been coming regularly. My business which I do on the side is not doing so well.
What do you think is the way out?
I think the government should find a lasting solution to the fall of the Naira. That’s one of the main causes of Nigeria’s problem.
KOREDE HASSAN
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes, we cannot compare last year to 2016. Things are on the high side now. Many people are just trying to survive. The economy is no more friendly.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
Definitely, the financial aspect. Paying bills is no longer a joke. You have to plan ahead to meet certain needs. Prices are increasing every day and there has been no increment in salary. We are just trying to get by.
What do you think is the way out?
Everything lies on the government. They should ensure the economy comes back to life. That is why we voted them in. They should provide better standard of living for the masses that voted them to power. We shouldn’t be suffering like this. It doesn’t happen abroad. Their governments provide basic needs for the citizenry.
AMARACH OKEKE
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
The economy is no longer friendly. Things are on the high side. A lot of people are complaining bitterly. Some political officers are getting richer at the expense of the suffering masses. It is really a sad story.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
I am owing my landlord this year’s rent. It is now the third month. I don’t even know what to do. How can I get a loan to pay house rent, how will I pay back?. This is something that. I could do with ease two years ago. We were thinking that when the new administration takes over, life will be easier but it is getting tougher.
What do you think is the way out?
We should continue to pray. I don’t trust any government again. I regret voting last year. It is only God that can touch their heart and make things go well for us.
AKINSHOLA OLUFEMI
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
The economy is biting harder. You can see the dollar rate now. It has been rising for some months now. It has affected a lot of things. If you want to buy anything, they will say dollar has gone up. We don’t know what to do.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
My clients are owing me. People are buying and they have not paid. I am even tired of everything. I cannot use the goods I am selling. I just have to sell on credit. That ties down money. To collect the money back is usually a serious problem.
What do you think is the way out?
The government should come to our rescue. They should make the country better place to live.
MICHAEL EWIRI
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
The economy is getting tougher every day. It is becoming harder to import things. That is what I do for a living. I have not done any business this year because of the challenges of importation.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
Importing things has been extremely difficult. I buy and sell foreign labels. I travelled some months back before I heard I can’t use my card for any transaction. It is so sad.
What do you think is the way out?
I am thinking of another business to do. This situation can encourage stealing. That is why armed robbery is on the rise.
TOYIN OJETUNDE
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes, the state of the economy has made things more difficult. Though I’ve not experienced the difficulty to the point where I can’t cope,
things surely aren’t the way they used to be or ought to be.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
The cost of everything is on the high side, so I really can’t pin point what area the difficulty is more pronounced but majorly transportation and food stuff.
What do you think is the way out?
The way out is for the federal government to do everything possible to make life easier for everybody.
FESTUS ATTA
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
The state of the economy is something else. If you buy something today, by the time you go back to get the same thing, the price would have gone up. You can imagine how much naira is to dollar now.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
I am still owing school fees. I have four children and I have not paid their school fees. Giving my wife money for the family up keep has also been challenging. My saving grace is that she is also working. She has been contributing to the family’s upkeep.
What do you think is the way out?
I am thinking of going into farming. I will start my fish farm next month. We will appeal to the government to make life worth living for its citizens too.
SAHEED JENYO
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
The rate at which things are going is becoming worrisome. A lot of men are losing their jobs by the day. A lot of children are graduating yearly too. Yet, there is no job.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
Women are fast becoming breadwinners. The money they get from their trade is what families depend on now. Thank God for my wife, she is the one taking care of the family now. I want to do it but I am no longer capable.
What do you think is the way out?
We need to get close to God so that He can heal our land. We need to forsake our sins as well. We need to pray earnestly to God so that those troubling the country can be forgiven.
TONY EJIOFOR
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
What can we say. It is getting out of hand. Even the strongest are feeling the pain. Times are hard really.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
Where should I start from. Is it getting the basic needs of life or bills. I cannot even afford to take my wife to the hospital. I had to take her to a chemist when there was no money to pay hospital bill.
What do you think is the way out?
I don’t know the way out. The people in government are only helping themselves. Look at the outrageous amount they have stolen. Is it not enough to pay every Nigerian monthly salary for a year.
JIDE ONIFADE
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
I think the world is really coming to an end with the huge challenge our economy is facing. It is not just Nigeria, look at other nations of the world. The economy of some nations crashed years back and they have not recovered.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
Every aspect, just name it. Is it not money I will use to meet all needs.
What do you think is the way out?
Our government needs operators to tighten their belt. They have a lot of work to do.
OLAFEMI OLATAYO
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes, things are no longer the same. Times are tougher. Survival is getting tougher too. That is why a lot of robbery and other vices are on the increase.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
My company is owing salary. I have not been paid for over four months now and I don’t know when they will pay.
What do you think is the way out?
I have started business. I go to work, stay half day and get back to my business. No boss can tell me not to go, after all, he has not paid me for months and I am still working.
LEYE OLADIMEJI
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
It is very obvious. Even children are feeling it as well. Parents can no longer afford the luxuries they used to give them.
In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?
Basically, the difficulty is in all areas, everything has become expensive, and everyone blames it on rise of dollar, even local producers lie against the dollar rate to hike prices of goods.
What do you think is the way out?
The Federal Government should make amends and make things easier for the masses.
TINA WILLIAMS
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Yes, things are difficult and the Central Bank of Nigeria has made it worse by forcing us to pay maintenance fee on our account and also N50 for every kobo that comes into our account.
In what areas are you feeling the bite most?
In some imported food condiments, like rice, sugar, etc.
What do you think is the way out?
Producing our own rice, sugar, chicken and patronizing our local products.
KABIRU USMAN
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
It’s difficult to keep money in ones hand. School fees have increased, house rent too, even insecticide. When you ask why, they will all say its dollar.
In what areas are you feeling the bite most?
In everything.
What do you think is the way out?
We need to be able to stand on our own as a country. I don’t know what to suggest again.
YETUNDE AWONIYI
As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?
Of course, the masses are complaining seriously.
In what areas are you feeling the bite most?
Money has lost its value. I feel it every time I need to spend money.
What do you think is the way out?
The government should make amends where necessary.
- SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN And TINUKE JOSEPH
