In the days leading to the celebration of Independence Day, operators of small businesses such as fashion designers, lament low patronage and the devastating effects of inflation on their earnings since the year began, VICTOR AYENI writesmany Nigerians, October 1 embodies more than a mere date on their calendar. Not only do many religious citizens attach a spiritual significance to the first day of each month, but the day also commemorates the country’s independence from colonial rule.
He said, “I sew men’s outfits and now, I have sold the last native attire I had in stock, but the market is slow. Things are expensive; prices of fabrics have spiked. In previous years, I used to get orders and patronage from customers because this is our season. He said, “I remember some three to four years ago when the Independence Day was close, people were sewing various styles of green-white-green clothes for events at the stadiums and even in churches. As a fashion designer apprentice then, I can tell you that we made money and modelling agencies made a lot of profit too.
It also estimated that over 22 million petrol generators powered about 26 per cent of all households and 30 per cent of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria, a feat which increases the cost burden on businesses. Within a short period, there was a corresponding increase in the price of energy, transportation, food, healthcare, and other services across Nigeria.
Tinubu said, “This group had amassed so much wealth and power that they became a serious threat to the fairness of our economy and the integrity of our democratic governance. A Lagos-based fashion designer, Abdulmojeeb Atanda, told our correspondent that he did not have a positive feeling about the celebration this year.