From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
traditionally a time for families and friends to come together, the Christmas holiday season in Nigeria, particularly the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), usually witnesses a massive movement of people traveling across the country to celebrate with loved ones in different parts. But, last year, a significant number of people chose to stay back, celebrating within their immediate surroundings.
Many Abuja residents chose to remain within the confines of their homes and towns, refraining from the traditional exodus to celebrate the yuletide season elsewhere. What could have led to this remarkable shift in behaviour?
The year 2023 came with its fair share of challenges, including economic crisis and security concerns. These factors undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping the decisions of many Nigerians, particularly those who live in the nation’s capital during the Christmas period.
A major contributing element has been the state of the economy, since many families have experienced financial hardships as a result of inflation and the general economic crisis.This has made traveling during the holidays a luxury that many simply could not afford
Additionally, the issue of security cannot be overlooked. Nigeria has been grappling with security challenges in various regions, leading to heightened concerns about safety during travel. This has, understandably, made many hesitant to embark on long journeys, especially during a time that should be filled with joy and peace.
In light of these circumstances, the decision to stay back for the holidays was not merely a matter of convenience but rather a thoughtful and responsible choice. Many chose to celebrate Christmas in smaller, more intimate settings, prioritizing safety, financial prudence, and peace of mind.
A trader at Wuse Market, Chima Duru, from Orlu in Imo State, stated that the security issues in his state led him to choose spending the 2023 Christmas in Abuja instead of traveling back home to celebrate with his family. Duru explained that ongoing insecurity, including incidents of kidnapping and violence, particularly in his local government, prompted his decision. He noted that even his parents advised against returning home for safety reasons, as many friends and relatives had become victims of such incidents.
According to him, “insecurity is why I didn’t travel for Christmas last year. Even my parents advised me not to return home for my own safety. There have been persistent incidents of kidnapping and violence in my state, especially my local government. I personally know a lot of people that have fallen victims, both friends and relatives. So it was best for me not to risk my life at all. It was disappointing not being with my family but I had to prioritize my safety.
Betty Imoh, a petty trader in Karonmajigi village, said that financial constraints prevented her from visiting her home state during the holiday season. She wished to travel to Akwa Ibom State for the Yuletide but mentioned that she lacked the means to do so.
She explained, “I have five children, and my husband recently lost his job. With just this small business, I’m struggling to support my family. How could we afford the approximately N200,000 needed for a trip from Abuja to Akwa Ibom and back?”
She said: “I have five children and my husband just recently lost his job. As you can see, I am only managing this small business to sustain i and my family so how do you expect us to afford at least two hundred thousand Naira that will take us to Akwa Ibom and back to Abuja.
When asked why she didn’t take advantage of the government’s subsidized luxury bus and train services to various destinations, Imoh responded “Government is not to be relied on on such matters. My neighbor that traveled for Christmas said she paid about N33,000 Young Shall Grow Motors but to Awka in Anambra. Imagine how much Abuja to Uyo will then cost. Where is the 5 percent subsidy in that? We cannot afford it.
Peter Wilson from Rivers State, said: ‘I really wanted to go home for Christmas, but unfortunately, the cost of flights during the holiday season was just too steep for my budget. Flight fare from Abuja to Port Harcourt rose to almost N200,000. Where will I get that kind of money and I cannot even risk going by road because of the bad roads and insecurity, so figured it was best to spend Christmas here with my friends and neighbors. Maybe next time I will start saving on time for my trip.
For Adekunle Amoo, a bolt driver, there is nothing like Christmas fun if he is not doing it with his folks: “Christmas is what I start planning for as early as May. I already bought gifts for myself, my parents and my siblings and I have a special monthly savings that will take care of my travel expenses and fun during the season. As a matter of fact, I just returned from my village in Ogun State where I went to spend Christmas with my family and childhood friends two days ago. If not for work and that I need money to refuel all that I exhausted there I would still not be back by now. Home is really sweet. I can not trade that for anything.” He declared.
Despite the challenges, the spirit and essence of the season did not wane. Acts of kindness and charity were commonplace, families discovered creative ways to connect digitally, and communities planned neighborhood celebrations. Instead of being lost, the spirit of the occasion was reinterpreted within the parameters of the modern era, promoting a revitalized feeling of empathy and community.