Economic downturn take huge toll on social life

By Adebayo Obajemu

Nigerians’ social life may have become another victim of the worsening state of the economy, as the usual parties, such as marriage and naming ceremonies, which used to provide economic succour and palliative against hunger, has taken a fatal blown.

In previous times, Nigerians would troop to such events not necessarily because they want to honour the celebrants, but basically to secure a meal ticket given the economic situation in the country. Nigerians are known for their lavish parties and sumptuous foods, but those days may have gone for good.
“Before the closing prayer, don’t forget from here we shall be moving to the house of Mr. and Mrs. Arogundade for the naming ceremony of their son”, the pastor announced.

After the ‘grace’ was said, a huge percentage of the congregation headed to Joseph street for the house of the Arogundades. There was a reason for the large turnout of people for the naming ceremony. Two years ago, when he was naming his first child, there was carnival of sorts – plenty of assorted food and drinks such that after bellyful, many who went to felicitate went home with takeaways.

This time around, even the soft drinks served could not go round, and only rice was served with small pieces of meat.

“Thank you, God shall visit you”, his wife, Elizabeth said as she went round the tables, adding “just bear with us”, having noticed long faces of the people who were visibly disappointed over the sparseness of the food served.

The Arogundades’ lot is just one of many, as hard times have forced many fun-loving ‘Owambe’ people to adjust to the temper of the time and cut down spending on frivolities in the face of skyrocketing prices of basic commodities like food, gas, kerosene and toiletries. In many such occasions, only biscuits, or pof-pof, with minerals are served.

Before arriving at the present economic downturn, chances were that every weekend, one or two roads were blocked to pave way for throngs of visitors to a naming ceremony or traditional marriage. Today, the trend has virtually disappeared.

“Hardly can you see a road blocked now on account of social function that will involve elaborate spending as we used observe on the streets of Lagos before”, said Adetutu Abiola, a trends tracker and sociologist.

Recently, this Reporter, attended a church where there was no reception, what would have been hugely embarrassing before, but every understood.

It was mostly prevalent in the South-West, where such occasions are more cultural in nature. The issue, he said, is not about what the people like but what they can afford or do with the little resources at their disposal.

“Go to joints and drinking hubs and you will observe that the number of people relaxing with pepper soup and chilly beers has reduced,” he said.

Iya Bimpe, owner of the popular Paragon hangout at Bolade, told Business Hallmark that “before by 7 pm in the past this place would have been swarming with revellers, but that has changed.

“Then I used to sell a bottle of Trophy for N350 but now it goes for N450. These days, I will count myself lucky if I get up to 15 customers. In the past by this time I would have seen up to 30 people, most times 50”.

She said her fish pepper soup now goes for N2000, same she used to sell for N1200 two years ago.

In the past, especially in Lagos and other Southwest states, people spent almost a fortune for entertainment in such events.
But now, such elaborate entertainment and flamboyance are giving way. The economy of an average Nigerian, who is not stealing public money, can no longer carry such lavish expenditure.

This has forced them to be modest as such money is now used to buy food and other basic commodities for their families. The situation of the economy has compelled many to cut their coats according to the available clothes.

Alhaji Ajesegun, a butcher at Agege abbatior, said: “When I had my last child, who is a year and a few months old now, I did not hold an elaborate naming ceremony, as against the way we used to do with others before him.

“The economy forced me and my wife to re-adjust our spending pattern and jettison frivolities. Besides, when I go out with my friends for drinks, we only take one bottle now , unlike before when we used to take four bottles each.”

Another reveller at Paragon hangout who identified himself as Rosco, said “When I had my first child in 2012, I paid N20,000 as hospital bill, same now goes for N70,000, plus other miscellaneous expenses. It is only a fool that will not re-adjust.

“Today, we don’t care what people say; we do what we can conveniently afford.
“After looking at our bank balance and other expenses waiting on the line, my wife and I bought a few drinks, invited two Imams and they blessed our child in the presence of few friends and family members.

“There was no need for blocking the streets and commissioning large scale cooking to entertain the crowd, we did it when we could afford it but no more,” she added.

In her own take, Biodun, a provisions seller who is heavily pregnant for her second child said her pastor would officiate the naming ceremony which would be held at her home as her family needs to cut costs to address other needs.

“When I put to bed next month I won’t be doing an elaborate naming ceremony because we have other needs to meet. I will just invite my pastor and a few family members to name my child. That’s all,” she said.

She explained that most families are doing the same to save cost as many women are now assisted to give birth through cesarean section, making them pay huge bills from N150,000 to N400,000 depending on their condition and the hospital.

“I am not the only person doing it. Those days where you see people cooking and putting up canopies for the sake of naming ceremonies are gone. Nobody has the money to waste.
Martin Chukwueke, a driver plying Agege- Agbado told Business Hallmark that

“People no longer hold elaborate naming ceremonies. The trend was killed during Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown. The rise in prices of goods and services has made it difficult to revive the trend. The money for pampers, baby food and other accessories has skyrocketed compared to 2017/2018.

“I have attended eight naming ceremonies this year and discovered no one put up canopies or chairs or killed rams. Some just offer you water and say thank you. That is what people are going through now.”

Professor Obatomi Obaro, a sociologist at Kogi State University said, “The economy has forced many households to adjust their spending and rearrange their priorities. Frivolities have given way to spending on basic needs”.