Encomium
The fear of the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has hit entrepreneurs, with many decrying its negative effects on business. Some, however, said it has little to do with their investments.
And here are what business owners are doing to avoid EVD…
TAIWO BAKARE, Madef Kitchen
I will say it is neither here nor there. Ebola basically, has to do with hygiene and whoever is into food business must ensure that the environment they prepare the food is very hygienic, the material they use in preparing the food is also very neat, those that prepare the food are also very neat. With these, we can be rest assured that there won’t be issue from the hygiene perspective. One thing that is helping our restaurant is we don’t serve bush meat, things that we cook have no relationship with Ebola. Those that Ebola will scare are those that cook bush meat. In addition to that, we try as much as possible to engage our customers on the awareness of Ebola. In our restaurant we put sanitizers at the wash hand basin. We don’t have much to fear about.
I have an information memorandum my wife brought from her place of work which I made copies available for my customers. This will give them all the information that are needed so that they will have 100 perecent awareness on what to do if there is any feel of it from anybody and how to avoid it.
SEMIU ADEWUNMI, Property Kleaners
It is affecting my business negatively. Initially, I thought people will give us more jobs of cleaning their homes and offices because of Ebola. Rather, we hardly get jobs these days. People no longer welcome you in their homes for fear of spread. The economy too plays a major part in our low patronage. People would rather clean their homes themselves and save their money.
I pray the whole noise about Ebola dies down soon so that we can get back to work.
LAWRENCE ONUZULIKE
In a very big way and negatively too. As you already know, many airlines are limiting flights to affected countries and that includes Nigeria. Even to shoot a movie here is now dangerous as movie making requires high contact among actors including kissing in some scenes. I held an audition in Makurdi for a new film a couple of days back, my heart cut each time participants make contact with one another. Yes, Ebola is bad for business in every way.
We cannot do much about it but to keep following the latest news and taking precaution. It seems to me like the government is doing very well in creating awareness about the virus. And the fact that there are positive news these days about ZMapp, that is a good thing.
TOYIN OYEDOLA, Teetop Entertainment
It is affecting our business a lot, everybody is scared to shake hands and even to hug. Some clients postponed their parties because of the spread of the virus. So we have less jobs and less money. At some events, the security men screen people before they allow them to go in. It is embarrassing to me.
I like the way the Lagos state government is handling the situation. I believe things will get better soonest.
LARRY OWOJORI
Ebola scare has affected almost everything in the country now. Even, you find it difficult to allow some customers touch your items because of fear of being infected with the virus when actually you can’t identify who has it or who doesn’t. If they pay you cash, you need to wear gloves or quickly wash your hands. It makes transaction very difficult.
At times, I request they pay into my bank account. But along the line, the panic is going down, and we’re making little progress concerning sales.
SAIDI BALOGUN
Everybody is scared of Ebola virus, and that’s really affecting our business. Everybody is just being careful because you don’t know who is who. A lot of people now prefer paying you via electronic transfer instead of having any contact directly with you. It really affects free flow of interaction between you and your clients. I think now, people’s orientation concerning the virus is getting wider and we’re getting better informed now than when it just broke.
Ebola virus will never be our portion, insha Allah.
AMANDA AKHIMIEN, Ever After
The scare has not really affected it, but our clients are more cautious. I am also very careful in my interaction with new and existing clients. But the government has sensitized everyone on the measures to take to prevent it, it has been okay.
I have a sanitizer for everyone that comes into my office and I wear gloves when I have to. I also tell my clients not to panic once the safety measures have been taken.
IYUNADE JACOBS, Beauty Sparks Makeovers
The scare has not really affected business but I take extra caution with my clients. I am a makeup artist, so I have to clean every tool, or sanitize them after working on a client.
Before I attend to any client, I use my hand sanitizer and I also make my client use it as well because prevention is better than cure.
CHRISTIANA AMODENI, Destiny Homelinks Caterers
It is not affecting my business in any way. I am a caterer and it does not stop me from cooking and does not scare the students or people that are eating the food. Although, it does not change the fact that I still need to be more careful in relating with people and the environment I’m cooking in.
There is nothing much to be done than to take more precaution.
LAWRENCE ONWUKWEM, Lawrence & Company Ltd.
It has affected business to a certain extent. Some business related events have been cancelledm while many travel less these days.
The adjustment we’ve made are in the area of sensitizing our staffers and business partners on what to do to avoid Ebola virus infection
LINDA AMARA IKE, Linda’s Pot
The Ebola scare is affecting business, especially the hospitality sector. A lot of people no longer eat out.
What we’ve done is to improve on sanitary conditions to reassure our esteemed customers they are safe.
