Yuletide: Business owners count gains amidst hardship

In spite of the widespread outcry over economic hardship, some business owners in Bwari Area Council of the FCT said they made huge profits from their businesses during the Christmas celebrations.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday the business owners attributed they success to high patronage and impressive turnout at their respective businesses.

Mrs Bosede Bamidele, owner of a restaurant and bar, told NAN that the Christmas celebrations brought in one of her highest customer turnouts in recent times.

Bamidele revealed that her usual stock of 50 crates of alcoholic drinks and 15 crates of soft drinks, which normally last for two days, was surprisingly exhausted within 24 hours during the festive period.

Bamidele said: “I had to keep ordering for more drinks because customers kept coming in and out of my restaurant, eating and drinking all the assorted recipes made available.

“Interestingly, in spite of the widespread complaints on economic hardship, people still found ways to unwind and have fun, I sincerely appreciate God for that because it benefitted my business.”

Similarly, Mr Buhari Alhamdu, a tailor, also said that he had worked so hard prior to the festivity to meet customers’ demands said that he had to hire more hands to assist him.

Alhamdu, said he sewed both male and female clothing, he use to sew a standard outfit for at least, N5, 000, but increased it to N7, 000 before the Yuletide.

This, he added, did not deter patronage and brought him new customers.

He said that although reason for the increment was due to the cost of sewing materials, he however said that, his take-home after deductions of expenses incurred, left a smile on his face.

Another business owner, Miss Praise Moses, a hairdresser said that she made more than N100, 000 in two days before Christmas.

Moses, who said that she hardly makes N30, 000 in a week due to low patronage, however said that the festive season brought a surge in customers, particularly ladies seeking to enhance their beauty for the celebrations.

“I always look forward to Christmas period , no matter how the year has been, we make money during this season, there’s always patronage no matter how people cry that there’s no money.

Madam Esther Izuogo, a resident, also said that it was normal for some businesses to boom during the festivity because Nigerians would always find a way to relieve the stress from the year’s hustle.

She also cautioned those who spend so much during the festivity to remember their responsibilities in the coming year, she encouraged business owners who made profits to utilise their gains wisely, prioritising family needs and business growth.