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Bread winners moan as economy bites harder (3)

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…

 

TOLULOPE SAMSON

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. Parents can no longer afford the luxuries they used to give their children.

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 the rise of dollar, even local producers lie against the dollar rate to hike prices.

What do you think is the way out?

The Federal Government should make amends and make things easier for the masses.

 

DAVID BABALOLA

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 tough. Survival is getting tougher too. That is why 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 one year 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, at least to keep body and soul together.

 

FEMI POPOOLA

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

We cannot over emphasise that times are hard. Things have really gone bad in this country. It is unfortunate that the masses are always at the receiving end.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

In all areas. I don’t think there is any sector that is not feeling it. We have a government that is not sensitive to the plight of its people. You can imagine the Minister of Power saying electricity tariff will increase. In this trying times. To pay for the old bill is a problem not to talk of increment again.

What do you think is the way out?

Please, face the government. They have the answer. What do you think a helpless man like me can do.

 

BIODUN AWOYEMI

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Extremely, my sister. There is no money in circulation. I know a family that eats once a day now. Times are getting tougher.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Which other area than in getting money to spend. Bills are accumulating. If you pay for one now, five others are waiting for you. And it is only one source of income.

What do you think is the way out?

I used to think that having more than one source of income was a distraction. I have joined the bandwagon now. I am not just a civil servant but a business man as well.

 

ADEMOLA OMOBORI

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes, I think we need to go to God in prayer. I know God will not come down in shirt and trouser to help but He has a solution to all things. Things are definitely not like they were some months back.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Market is not selling. We are owing a lot. Suppliers are not ready to give us goods again because I am owing too much. I have changed my children’s school because we could no longer afford to pay for that school again.

What do you think is the way out?

Like I said we should all get closer to God. We should call on our God because the government is confused too. They no longer have the answer to our questions.

 

KELECHI ANOKURU

As a breadwinner do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

To be candid, it is. If you look around, you will discover that things are not just flowing the way they used to be Can you imagine dollar rate today. It was like a joke when it started now, it has gone beyond our imagination.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Things are generally expensive. Food items have gone up, the price of a bag of rice which was 11,200 now sells at 12,000.

What do you think is the way out?

Government should just do something about it.

 

AUSTIN RICHMAN

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Things are now very expensive, it is difficult to buy an item for the same amount you bought it last year. Companies are not increasing salaries, instead, they are downsizing.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

My children have done their IT training but I cannot afford to pay for their certification due to the high rate of dollar. I don’t have an idea of when the value of dollar will go down.

What do you think is the way out?

Whatever must be done and whosoever is involved should act.

 

TEMITOPE ODEWOLE

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

To say that the state of the economy of the nation has not affected the standard of living is a big lie. Things are more expensive now. People are owing, businesses are dying.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Bills are just on the high side these days and I cannot imagine what power suppliers will charge me at the end of this month.

What do you think is the way out?

Government has to look inward and assist, if they need to increase salary they should do.

 

JACOB FRANCIS

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

My sister, are you not in Nigeria? Even the blind knows this well not to talk of the deaf. They no longer get money as they used to when they go out to beg. If I can get the money people give them, I will be happy.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Food items have gone up. I cannot even afford to give my children bread as breakfast any longer. We had to create an alternative in wheat as pap.

What do you think is the way out?

I will advice every household to be creative till this season is over, if it will ever be. Government is trying but water don pass gari.

 

GBENGA LARAYETAN

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Nigeria’s economy has really made things more difficult. The rich are complaining, what do you think the poor will do. We are in the same country. Yet some people are robbing the country blind and getting away with it.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

I am a lover of good things. I club a lot but to be candid, I cannot even afford to move near that again. My social life is gone. I literally dodge social events and family invitation using office work as an excuse.

What do you think is the way out?

Government really has a lot to do in this regard. We voted for change and if truly there is a change agenda, it must start to manifest in our nation now.

 

AJAYI AINA

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes. Things are not the same. Everything just changed overnight.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Business is not as it used to be. I am a fashion designer and as I speak, I am a confused man. Customers do not bring clothes like before, even those that bring cannot afford to pay my charges.

What do you think is the way out?

I do not really know. Maybe we need to seek the face of God for cleansing of the land.

 

BANKOLE MARTINS

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes, it has made things more difficult, the state of the economy at the moment is too poor and making things difficult for people.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Virtually all areas, but feeding seems to be more difficult because all food items are now expensive, even more expensive than it was during the festive period.

What do you think is the way out?

The only way out is up to the government to work harder.

 

  1. TOLANI

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.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Transportation and foodstuff have risen and it hasn’t been so easy.

What do you think is the way out?

The way out is for the government to stabilize the economy and make things go normal.

 

ADAMU FELIX

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes, I think the state of the economy has made things more difficult and it is very sad.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

I feel the bite most when it comes to fending for my family. The price of foodstuff has risen astronomically, and I have little children who don’t understand that food stuff is now expensive. Children always want to eat something.

What do you think is the way out?

The way out is for the government to pay attention to the needs of the masses because the falling economy seems to affect almost everyone.

 

KUNLE AJAYI

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 and it is an established fact, it is something everyone can see because it is so obvious.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

When it comes to feeding, it’s not the way it used to be, they have sort of gotten more expensive. My accommodation too was recently increased without prior notice.

What do you think is the way out?

All I want is for the government to make things easier for the masses.

 

FAGBEMI OLUGBENGA

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

From my end, things have been going really great. I can’t complain, the economy hasn’t been so harsh on me, to be honest.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Things have been good in all aspects.

What do you think is the way out?

I’m not in a fix, the way to go is to keep doing what I’ve been doing.

 

AKINOLA OLUMIDE

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Not really, the economy is not at its best but then it hasn’t made things difficult for me. I think God just has His way of doing wonders in one’s life.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

God has been great to me, so I’ve got no reason to complain.

What do you think is the way out?

I’ll just keep trusting God, with Him all things are possible.

 

ALADE EMMANUEL

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes, it has, but as a typical Nigerian, my family and I always survive.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

The areas of transportation and foodstuff are on the high side, school fees have also gone up, so it hasn’t been easy, especially with four children to cater for.

What do you think is the way out?

We need the government to act fast and do what should be done to help bring the economy to what it used to be or even better because a lot of people are suffering.

 

TOBI OGUNSI

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

As far as one needs money to buy or pay for something you will feel it. Is it feeding, school fees, house rent, they have all increased.

What do you think is the way out?

I think we need to start embracing our local made producers, it is said that by doing this, things will improve.

 

AYISAT USMAN

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes.

In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

As I am, I am moving to the village with my children, we have a house there, so we won’t pay house rent. We can use the money for rent to do other things. I can’t afford to stay in Lagos any longer.

What do you think is the way out?

Our leaders have killed us slowly, it’s only Allah that can help us at this stage. We should all pray forgiveness of sin.

 

KINGSLEY ALLAH

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Of course, people are suffering, the rich also cry now.

Of In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Everything is expensive apart from some few things. Even food condiments are expensive, when you ask why, it is also dollar, I am just tired, I feel like leaving Nigeria.

What do you think is the way out?

I don’t know o. The stock market is losing money, banks are charging maintenance fee on the little money we have in the bank. Nigeria is more than a case study.

 

BISI ONI

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes, things are difficult.

Of In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

For those of us who do buying and selling business. We have bought but there are no buyers. People only buy food to sustain them, they have cut down on wants. At times I will go to my shop and not make a tangible sales.

What do you think is the way out?

The government should try to strengthen our naira.

 

UGONNA KELECHI

As a breadwinner, do you think the state of the economy has made things more difficult?

Yes, things are difficult due to the economy breakdown but we thank the Lord that we are still alive battling it.

Of In what areas are you feeling the bite the most?

Every area. I have a child, I don’t even plan to have another for at least 3 years. Baby formula, diaper and other things are expensive. And a child doesn’t want to know all this, you just have to take care of the child.

What do you think is the way out?

Prayer, perseverance and hard work, then all will fall in place.

 

– SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN, TINUOLA JOSEPH and NKECHIYINYERE IBEMERE

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