Encomium
– Lament difficult times
Survival in Nigeria is getting tougher by the day. An average Nigerian now lives from hand to mouth. The culture of saving is gradually dying because there is hardly something to save from the monthly or daily income of workers, traders, artisans, etc , all is spent on survival now.
ENCOMIUM Weekly sampled the opinion of breadwinners on the state of the economy and how they are coping.
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
We need to thank God for keeping us alive. Things have not been all that smooth. The economy is not helping matters.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
Yes, everything you can imagine has gone above the previous year.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
The amount spent on food alone is worth doing something tangible that perhaps can advance one’s cause, let alone the children’s school fees which are constantly on the increase.
Talking in terms of transportation, things are extremely difficult. We pay higher now than ever before. All these with miscelleous expenses put everything in one basket of high cost of living. Invariably, poor standard of living is gradually setting in.
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
That cannot be quantified. Almost everybody is living above his means. That is why both husband and wife work hand in hand to cater for the family. It is no more only the man that is the breadwinner, even women play more prominent roles.
Let me give you an example: if a man earns N50,000 per month, he pays N300,000 per year as his house rent, school fees for his three children cost N300,000 per term, how do you think the family will cope.
– MR. IBRAHIM TAOFEEK
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
I have stopped thinking about the state of the economy. Where will I start from, is it school fees, house rent, transportation or what. We are coping because God is faithful.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
Certainly, things are much more expensive. At least, petrol was once sold at N65 per litre, the price has changed now to N97.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
A lot. As at 2013, I was paying N250,000 for house rent, it was increased to N300,000. I gave my wife N15,000 last year for food stuff, she won’t accept N20,000 now from me. Not to talk of our children’s school fees, you can imagine the increase.
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
It all depends. For a family of five, at least N60,000 per month should be okay.
– MR. OKECHUKWU UCHE
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
We are just managing. A lot of people are feeding from hand to mouth. It is getting tougher to save a kobo from your monthly income.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
Yes, there is a slight increase in some things, while others are overbearing.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
School fees are getting higher and it is affecting other aspects of life, likewise house rent. I can say there was 50 percent hike in our house rent this year.
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
It depends on the pocket of the breadwinner, the size of the family. But for an average family, prepare like N40,000-N50,000.
– MR. AMUSAN OLUTUNJI
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
It has not been easy, I must say, but we just have to continue. I believe God is faithful. He will always make a way for His own.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
Most things are getting more expensive by the day. Some items have a slight increase.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
Yes, I was paying N180,000 as house rent, it is now N200,000. I spend N200 to work daily, it is now N250. I can’t quantify food stuff but I know prices of food stuff have gone up as well.
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
An average family needs N50,000 at least to manage. Some need N80,000, while some must have N120,000 per month to manage.
– MR. OLUSHOLA OLAJUMOKE
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
We have cut down our cost. There are some things that are luxury now, we do without them, we only provide the very essentials.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
Definitely, a lot of things have jacked up in prices.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
I used to spend N500 on transportation daily, it is now N600. As for foodstuff, I give my wife what I can afford. She adds from her pocket. Our house rent was N300,000, it is now N350,000. You didn’t mention school fees. I have two children. I pay N40,000 for the first, while the second pays N20,000
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
At least N60,000 per month. They still have feed from hand to mouth with that, it is better than nothing.
– MR. JOHN NWAZUE
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
I must say it is not easy but God has been faithful. The economy is depreciating but I have to do all I can to make me and my family comfortable.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
Things change daily but compared to previous years, I would say ‘Yes’, a lot of things have become expensive.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
In fact, I don’t know which is best, either to have a car or go about with commercial buses because the price of fuel has moved up and commercial buses inflate prices any time they feel like. At the same time, landlords find it difficult to either collect two years or one year rent. Most of them tend to increase their rent at the beginning of every year.
Talking about food stuff, the increase is seasonal but one does not have a choice except you want to starve.
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
I can’t put a figure to that but a man needs good money to maintain his family.
– OLUFUNSHO AMODENI
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
A sane person should not be thinking about the economy of Nigeria because it is in a mess. I would say the economy is suicidal because people live from hand to mouth.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
It is degenerating by the day as the cost of production is very high. A lot of things are getting more expensive by the day, ranging from school fees, house rent, food stuffs and the worst is that salaries are static.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
I would say it is astronomical. We live in a country where house rent is increased almost every year. Food stuff is not an exception but it is something we cannot complain about because we must feed the family no matter the circumstance.
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
No amount of money is too much to maintain a family, it all depends on the class you find yourself.
– SEUN AWOSIKA
How are you coping with the state of economy as a bread winner?
It has not been easy but I thank God for everything. The economy is bad but who are we to complain.
Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?
Things are extremely expensive these days. It is so amazing how prices are being inflated. This is very bad.
Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent, food stuff?
The increase is very drastic because there are things that should not be expensive in any way but increased due to greed. Imagine a man paid N80,000 monthly who lives in a house he pays N250,000 per annum and pays schools fees and transportation is not cheap either, it would be tough for such a person.
How much does a man and his family need to survive?
I can’t put a figure on that because everyone is managing.
– KEHIDE FAMUDITI
