Date: 2017-04-14

As the Easter celebration draws near, Christians within Ilorin metropolis have expressed delight despite the prevailing hike in prices of food items.

Speaking to National Pilot, yesterday, Mrs Ajewole Opeyemi said the celebration is what Christians look up to as it symbolises the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

She said, "After the New Year, another celebration Christians look forward to is Easter because it means the crucification and resurrection of Jesus Christ."

On her readiness for the celebration, "We are preparing for the celebration, just that food items are still very expensive, so this celebration will be low key for me with less or no visitors at all," she added.

According to Pastor Rose Timileyin, for this celebration, family shopping will be minimal.

"Things are getting more expensive in the market these days and even price of common man food (rice) has increased, so for me, my shopping for the celebration will be minimal," she stated. Olatundun Adekunle, a civil servant said the celebration will not be too rosy for his family.

In his words "this celebration to me will just be an ordinary day not because I don't celebrate Easter but because there is no cash. With no salary, little money in circulation and recession eating deep, I will just manage with my family for this year," he stressed.

It was a different sight to behold at the Mandate market yesterday as Christians trooped in to shop for the forthcoming celebration. Speaking to our reporter at the market, a Christian who simply identified herself as Faith said she came for early Easter shopping as the market will receive more crowd as the celebration draws nearer.

She said "although things are very expensive everywhere but, we still have to buy because we have to eat and celebrate Easter which is the death and crucification of our saviour."

For Mrs Ebere Nwosike, she lamented the increase in prices of all the items she bought. "Prices of all the food items have drastically increased. Few weeks back, the price of rice was reduced but on getting to the market today, it has skyrocketed to the previous amount.

"I just bought the little food items that will be sufficient for me and my family, thank heavens I am not expecting visitors," she noted. Meanwhile, market women across the state capital have continued to enjoy high patronage from customers in readiness for the Easter celebration.

Alhaja Iwalomo Jimoh, a foodstuff seller at Mandate market, who affirmed this said, "Since Monday, people have been coming around especially Christians. "I have recorded high sales even though foodstuffs are now expensive and there is little profit. I look forward to making more sales leading to the celebration," she added.