By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
EXCITEMENT has gripped Warri since the beginning of December, with the sound of fireworks echoing through streets and neighbourhoods, signalling the approach of the yuletide season.
With less than 48 hours to Christmas, markets across the city are filled to the brim with shoppers rushing in and out to purchase items for the celebrations, while laughter, music and hurried footsteps define Warri’s festive rhythm.
From major roads to inner streets, the city wears an unmistakable air of celebration, despite lingering complaints about harsh economic conditions.
Nowhere reflects this festive rush more vividly than Igbudu Market. The market is so jam-packed that it is difficult for pedestrians, wheelbarrow pushers and vehicles alike to move freely, as all struggle to navigate from one point to another.
Tall speakers mounted at different points in the market blast celebratory songs, hip-hop tracks and Christmas tunes of all kinds, competing with traders’ shouts and the clatter of goods.
The mix of sound, colour and movement turns the market into a living symbol of Warri’s yuletide spirit.
Across Warri Main Market, similar scenes play out as shoppers squeeze past stalls stacked high with foodstuffs and household items.
Despite widespread complaints about a lack of money, the markets tell a different story — one of heavy turnout, eager bargaining and determined preparation for Christmas.
A shopper identified as Tega captured this irony when he said:
“With the way markets are filled up, one would wonder what the people who are crying that there’s no money are doing in the market. Una say money no dey, but to enter market comot na problem. Oh Nigerians.”
Speaking to traders at Warri Main Market, opinions were mixed regarding price changes this year.
READ ALSO: https://stonixnews.com/edo-delta-customs-beats-2025-revenue-target-rakes-in-n125-1bn//
Some told Stonix News that a few items had increased in price due to the festive season, while many foodstuff prices had remained largely stable.
A grocery trader, identified as Mama Chinaza, who deals in bags of rice, beans, vegetable oil and other foodstuffs, said:
“Rice is now between N60,000 and N62,000. It increased from N57,000 to the current price. I must say that the Christmas celebration did not affect it as much as it usually does during the yuletide.
ALSO READ: https://dailydewspotlights.com/the-influence-of-jesus-christ/
“Vegetable oil sells within the price range of N3,500 to N17,000. For oil, 25 litres is being sold for between N59,000 and N60,000. That price has been constant since January.
“The price of beans has also reduced. A bag is sold for N70,000, while a basket sells for N3,500. As at October, the same size now sold for N3,500 was between N5,000 and N5,500.”
When asked whether the festive season affected the price of oil, she responded in the negative.
For tomato sellers, some said prices rose slightly about two weeks ago but were still better than last year’s situation.
One trader, Obaro, said:
“Did you see N500 tomatoes last year? No. But this year, we are selling N500 tomatoes, same with onions.
“If you see N500 onions, you will be surprised, because this is usually the period when onion prices go up.
“The measurement of tomatoes I usually buy increased from N18,000 to N25,000 recently. Pepper also went from N30,000 to N45,000.”
At the meat section, a seller identified as Ejike put the price of beef at N3,000 per pound and N105,000 for 35 pounds, adding that Christmas celebrations did not affect the price.
However, the story was different for poultry sellers. One chicken trader confirmed that prices had increased this year, explaining that a medium-sized chicken now sells for between N25,000 and N27,000, compared to N15,000 to N20,000 last year. He attributed the increase to the rising cost of poultry feed.
Buyers expressed mixed feelings about food prices. While some found it encouraging that prices did not rise as sharply as in previous years, others lamented that income levels remain insufficient to meet their needs.
According to them, even where price increases are moderate, stagnant salaries and earnings have turned the festive season into a careful balancing act for many Warri residents.
What's your reaction?
