The Holiday Hustle In Nigeria: Navigating The Dangers Of The Christmas Season

PHILIP OBIN 

As the Christmas season approaches, the atmosphere is often charged with a sense of urgency. Drivers everywhere feel the pressure to complete more trips and increase their earnings, leading many to overlook the importance of vehicle maintenance and road safety. In the race against time, speed becomes a priority, with a notable uptick in reckless driving practices.

Passengers, equally caught up in the festive rush, are often intent on checking off their to-do lists, desperate to accomplish more activities before the momentous day arrives. Meanwhile, mechanics, overwhelmed by the influx of requests to fix and service vehicles, may compromise on thoroughness in their haste to meet the soaring demand. This creates a perfect storm for dangerous road conditions.

A peculiar trend emerges during this period, as individuals—regardless of their driving skills or the actual roadworthiness of their vehicles—set out to impress family members and village acquaintances by traveling home in cars that may be ill-equipped for the journey. The desire to showcase prosperity and success can lead to ill-fated decisions.

On the darker side, some young individuals may resort to crime, transforming into armed robbers or burglars, driven by the wish to obtain quick cash to impress their partners or experience a lavish Christmas. In tandem, vendors may exploit the situation by artificially inflating prices, catering to a growing demand for goods and services during the holiday season.

As highways teem with holiday travelers, security agencies set up numerous roadblocks under the guise of ensuring safety. However, rather than being beacons of security, some agents may become desperate opportunists, succumbing to corrupt practices that compromise their initial mission.

Adding to the chaos, the season also sees a rise in the activities of witch doctors and charlatans who exploit the desperate for wealth and success. Many individuals, swayed by superstition, believe that human sacrifices are a means to quick fortune, creating a disquieting atmosphere rooted in fear and desperation.

Throughout Nigeria, religious institutions contribute to the frenzy as churches host an array of events from the first day of December to the end of January. While fostering a sense of community and spirituality, these activities can impose a significant burden on parishioners, requiring both time and financial offerings, even as they juggle their own holiday responsibilities.

Collectively, these factors lead to chaos: road accidents, insecurity, untimely deaths, kidnappings, robberies, and a plethora of other societal vices seem to reach their peak during this festive season.

But how can we genuinely and sustainably address these pervasive issues?

Let’s open the floor for discussion! How can we create a safer, more joyous holiday experience for everyone involved? What initiatives could be put in place to promote responsible driving, ethical business practices, and community support? It’s a conversation worth having as we reflect on the true spirit of the season.