Encomium
The cost of living for an average Nigerian is increasing by the day. Prices of commodities are sky rocketing daily. It is gradually becoming a case of survival of the fittest. Most households are cutting down cost, despite that, they still groan under poor economic hardship.
ENCOMIUM Weekly sampled opinions of housewives on the alarming rate of sky rocketing prices of food items…
‘It is on an alarming rate’ – ABIGAIL OMOTOYE
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
The prices of things are really soaring. It is on an alarming rate. This happens every day. Some attribute the increment to rise in dollar but I don’t think dollar is responsible.
How are you coping with the hike?
We are coping by God’s grace. We just have to eat. No matter how bad it is, man must eat.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
I bought a paint bucket of beans for N1,000 last month. It is now N1,100. Bread has gone up as well. We used to buy sliced bread for N200,it is now N230, N250.
‘We don’t bite what we cannot chew’ – FELICIA SOBALOJU
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Prices of commodities have gone up. Virtually all items are affected. And it is a daily occurrence. You need to see how Nigerians are suffering. I know of a household that can only afford to eat once a day now. It is really a sad story.
How are you coping with the hike?
God has been on our side. He has been supplying all our needs. We also cut our coat according to our cloth. We don’t bite what we cannot chew.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Rice has gone up. From N10,000 a bag, it is now N13,000. Wheat has gone up too. It was N500 per paint bucket, it is now N600. Sugar has gone up too.
‘We only get what we can afford’ – ADEKOYA BIMPE
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Since the exchange rate sky rocketed, every other thing has been affected. Vegetable oil was N1,700 for five litres. It is now N2,000. Some sell for N2,200.
How are you coping with the hike?
We have a priority list. We only get what we can afford and leave the rest. I have also taught my children to be satisfied with what we can afford. They take what we can offer without complaining.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Palm oil has gone up. I was buying a bottle at N100 it is now N120. Semolina is also expensive, it was N2,200 per 10kg before it is now N2,600.
‘We buy what we can afford and leave the rest’ – AKINWALE FUNMI
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Prices of commodities have gone up. Even tomatoes that used to be much cheaper is now expensive. Some said it is as a result of the Mile 12 market closure.
How are you coping with the hike?
We buy what we can afford and leave the rest. Nigerians need to pray so that God can heal our land.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Spaghetti is more expensive now, I used to buy it for N110, it is now N130. Yam is also not left out. We used to buy three for N600, it is now N800.
‘We are coping’ – ADA NZERIBE
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes, prices of food stuff have gone up. There is hardly a commodity that is not affected. Every Nigerian is groaning now, especially bread winners and house wives. Most of us have no increment in our salaries, if you are lucky to get the salary as at when due. I know of a woman who has not collected salary this year. And this is the third month.
How are you coping with the hike?
We are coping. I am also into other business so as to meet up. Apart from that, I don’t bite more than I can swallow.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Ogbono has gone up. It was N400 per cup. It is now N600. Okro as well has gone up. The quantity we buy for N100 now is what was sold for N50.
‘Everything is high now’ – MRS. OLAYIWOLA
How are you coping with the hike in prices of food stuff?
I am trying my best and managing, especially when it comes to stocking the house with food stuff.
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes, very high. A bag of rice is now N15,000 even salt is very expensive.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Bag of rice, beans, garri, sachet tomato puree, washing and bathing soap, salt, indomie noodles, spaghetti, milk, etc.
‘It has not been easy at all’ – MRS. UCHENNA
How are you coping with the hike in prices of food stuff?
It has not been easy at all with the dollar and naira exchange rate. Things have really gone bad in the prices of buying food stuff.
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes, they have tremendously. You can see for yourself, it is affecting everything, even business.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Meat, rice, beans, garri, indomie noodles, sardine, milk, Bournvita and yam.
‘Everything has increased’ – MRS. OLADAYO
How are you coping with the hike in prices of food stuff?
Since things became bad in this country, Nigeria, the price of everything has increased so, I have been following the change that has been happening to survive.
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes, everyone is affected.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Stockfish, maggi seasoning, spices for soup and stew, pepper, salt, sugar, biscuits, soaps for bathing and laudary.
‘It has not been easy…’ – MRS. ADELEKE
How are you coping with the hike in prices of food stuff?
It has not been easy but by God’s grace, we are pushing it and hoping things will change.
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes, they have.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Garri, maggi, rice, salt, provisions like milk, sugar beverages, meat, stockfish, flour, elubo (yam flour) and yam.
‘…everything in the market has changed’ – MRS. ABDULAHMEED
How are you coping with the hike in prices of food stuff?
Since the high rate in dollar and the fall of naira, everything in the market has changed.
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Tomato puree, vegetables, meat, pepper, rice, garri, beans, onions, palm oil, groundnut oil, etc.
‘It is a very tough process’ – MRS. UWAKWE
How are you coping with the hike in prices of food stuff?
It is a very tough process because of the high cost of food stuff.
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes, they have.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Groundnut oil, beans, wheat, flour, onions, rice, garri, indomie noodles, pepper, meat, vegetables, etc.
‘Humans can’t do without food’ – Mrs. Adebayo
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes.
How are you coping with the hike?
I am managing. Humans can’t do without food. So, we will eat, but cut down expenses on clothes and other things.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Everything is expensive. Indomie noodles of N60 now goes for N70, that of N40 is N50. A litre of vegetables are so expensive that I don’t go close to them.
‘Nigerians know how to cope during hard times’ – MRS. ORESANYA
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes.
How are you coping with the hike?
We Nigerians know how to cope during hard times. I purchase what I need and leave what I want because needs are more important.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
A lot of things are expensive, can’t even list everything. Even tooth pick of N30 is now N50. I am afraid for Nigeria.
‘I cut down on my expenses’ – MRS. OLALEYE
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Yes.
How are you coping with the hike?
As a woman, we have the gift of economizing. I cut down on my expenses to meet up with other things.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Vegetables are very expensive. Before I used to buy N50 ewedu but now, I have to buy up to N150. Biscuit is also expensive, beverages etc.
‘We are coping’ – MRS. TOYIN AJIBOLA
Will you say the prices of food stuff have skyrocketed?
Of course, yes.
How are you coping with the hike?
We are coping. What can we do, we can’t run away from our country. Even if we do, we will come back some day. I go for what I can afford, even if it means skipping meals, I will.
Can you list examples of what are expensive?
Almost all the basic items are expensive. The only affordable item is pepper and fresh tomatoes, but I can’t cook only pepper as food.
COMMODITY FORMER PRICE PRESENT PRICE
Bread N200/regular slice N250/regular slice
Wheat N500 per plastic N600 per plastic
Sugar N100 per 100g N120 per 100g
Flour 1 bag =N6,500 toN7,000 N10,000 to N11,000
Sugar N8,000 per bag N11,500 per bag
Palm Oil N1,200 per 5 litres N1,500 per 5 litres
Vegetable Oil N7,000 per 30 litres N10,000 per 30 litres
Noodles N60 per 120g N70 per 120g
Rice N10,000 per 50kg N14,000 per 50kg
Beans N900 per paint plastic N1,200 per paint plastic
Yam N300 per average size N500 per average size
Sachet tomato N50 per 50g N70 per 50g
Fish N550 per kilo N700 per kilo
Chicken (frozen) N6,500 per 10kg carton N9,000 per 10kg carton
-SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN, NKECHINYERE IBEMERE and GLORY OSIGWE
