Ahead of the Easter celebration across the country, some christian faithful in Osun State have expressed concern over the harsh economic realities that might distort plans towards celebrating even at the end of the Christian 40 days fasting.
Residents of the state too have continued to lament the high cost of foodstuff, goods and services.
The christian faithful in separate interviews with Allnews.ng in Osogbo, decried the high cost of food commodities due to the current inflation rate that resulted from the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.
AllNews.ng had reported that President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023 had suspended the fuel subsidy regime and floated the Naira.
Days after the new policies, the nation's economy began to nosedive.
The lamentations have increased in recent times even as Christians in the state make preparations for the Easter festivities.
The economic challenges and financial resources draining situation notwithstanding, residents have displayed optimism, noting that things may not remain the same in the long run.
Expressing dissatisfaction at the high cost of foodstuff, Oluremi Olugbenga said he is looking forward to a memorable celebration and sees the economic challenges as a passing phase.
A visit to Owode-Ede market along the Gbongan-Ibadan road indicates that cost of foodstuff has not gone down.
AllNews.ng gathered that the market which comes up every five days has one of the cheapest rates for foodstuff in the state, a reason it is patronised by many residents on market days.
A trader, Helen Opeyemi while chatting with AllNews.ng stated that the cost of foodstuff never really went down.
She added that the Ramadan period also made these prices to shoot up a bit.
"Foodstuff prices dipped before Ramadan and still remains so. The Muslim fasting made foodstuff price to go up.
"It may be like this throughout the Easter and Ileya festivals which is just days apart.
"We hope it will fall after the festivities because it is indeed not helping sales."
Another buyer, Folakemi Taiwo lamented that costs of foodstuff were exorbitant but expressed optimism that the Easter celebration would go on smoothly as anticipated.
"Things are very expensive now. You know in our culture, festivities is all about good food and eating. Unfortunately, price of foodstuff is nothing to write home about.
"We don't foresee a reduction but we hope that it will be so. We are going to celebrate. Mere cost of foodstuff won't stop those that want to celebrate from having a good time."
A trader, Abimbola Oyebamiji said prices of major foodstuff and items needed for food have gone up.
"Rice is now selling at N75,000 per bag. Oloyin beans is N2,500 per Kongo, Drum is N2,000.
"Pepper is N8000 per plastic, onion is N56,00 per bag. Business is slow but since it is festive season, there is hope that sales would boom since two festivals will come after one another."
A cleric, Joshua Okunola, ofnthe Christian Redemption Ministries, Osogbo, speaking on the matter attributed the problem to President Tinubu's fuel subsidy removal policy.
In his words, "The whole problem started when President Bola Tinubu made that wicked announcement. It started when President Tinubu unjustly suspended fuel subsidy without making up for it.
"It was after that the issue of palliatives to state and wage award came in. Student loan also stemmed from the economic backlash of the fuel subsidy removal.
"I believe the present economic realities is as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy which has led to the hike in prices of everything in the country making life difficult for people to cope.
"Also, I think if the economic team of the president can hasting their plans in ensuring that the high inflation rate is curtailed or checked leading to the fail in prices of goods and services, things will change."
Another cleric, Bishop Seun Adeoye, the Superintendent Overseer of Sufficient Grace International Christian Church, Okinni, said Easter is mandatory for all Christians to participate despite the bad economic situation.
While lamenting that the harsh economic situation in the country is taking a toll on the lives of everybody, he pointed out that the churches were also seriously affected.
"That is pathetic because there are a lot that churches are doing for the poor and the downtrodden but going by our Lord's counsel, we never made noises about them.
"I know that many churches have made arrangement of what we called 'giving and sharing' in this Easter season. This is not an individualistic approach. It is a general thing that is beyond the four walls of our various congregations or denominations.
"As a leader, we didn't encourage our members to wait for government palliatives that we are only hearing of but cannot see. If the church has not been intervening and performing her roles, no Nigeria government could have survived.
"That's the truth. So, at a time as this, the message that is sent across churches to Christians by our leaders is to do all things moderately."
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