I went to bed last night after gulping a plate of homemade jollof rice accessorised with plantain and smoked fish. And water. I hear some folks would have downed this meal with glasses of beer or wine, which isn’t a condemnable thing to do. After all, there is yet no science-based evidence that drinking beverages with meals affects one’s digestion and health. If you come across a contrary fact – from trusted health sources or researchers – please do us a favour by commenting on this post and citing those sources.
Back to my jollof rice talk, I woke up this morning, said a short prayer, and opened my laptop to finish the draft of this post. I wanted to look up something on the internet, and like millions of people who use the internet, my destination was Google. What I first noticed was a Google doodle that displayed ‘Celebrating Jollof Rice.’ I took a screenshot for evidence.
At first when you click the doodle, it displays a 34-second YouTube video that shows you how to cook jollof rice before you are then taken to the results page where you see over 8 million posts on jollof rice. Google says it is celebrating jollof rice because on this day each year – 4 November – rice farmers plant and reap a bountiful harvest, which cooks across West Africa prepare to make jollof.
Jollof rice is also known as benachin (in The Gambia) and thieboudienne (in Senegal) and is said to have originated from the Wolof tribe in the 14th century. The Wolof tribe is a West African ethnic group found in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. In Senegal, they are the largest ethnic group but elsewhere they are a minority.
Still on jollof rice, every country has its own recipe which produces a unique taste, which kind of makes me wonder why Nigerians and Ghanaians are particularly competitive over who makes the best jollof. Twice or thrice I’ve eaten Ghanaian jollof rice in Accra and I can’t say for sure who makes better jollof rice. But for the sake of patriotism, let me declare here and loud that I prefer Nigerian jollof rice.
Rice is perhaps the most consumed food in Nigeria and it is one of the most widely consumed grains in the world. In every home, at every party you attend, rice must be served. But it may soon be out of the reach of many Nigerians as prices skyrocket due to many factors including the Russia-Ukraine war, the flooding crisis in Nigeria and the depreciating naira value.
The naira crisis
It is no longer news that the Nigerian Naira (NGN) has been depreciating for some months now. The fall has been massive and now it seems the end has not been seen yet.
The Central Bank of Nigeria about a week ago announced it is redesigning the naira notes, saying the move is to reduce inflation, combat counterfeiting and bring more money into circulation. The apex bank says it will redesign the highest paper denominations – the 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes.
As this news broke, the naira has dropped to a record low against the United States Dollar (USD) even as many Nigerians scramble to buy the US currency ahead of the January deadline when the old notes will cease to be legal tender. On 3 November, the naira traded at around 860 to the dollar, nearly double the official bank rate.
Although the CBN says the naira notes redesign will put more money in circulation, global finance organisations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have warned authorities to tread carefully as the decision may affect the confidence citizens have in the local currency and financial institutions. These effects are happening already.
With the naira falling dramatically, the inflation rate is bound to soar. Why? Because Nigeria is a country that is heavily dependent on importation. I’m not an economist, but as an observer of economic trends, just like most people, this situation is inescapable. Food prices will continue to soar and our beloved jollof rice may be out of reach of many, or to speak optimistically, it may be within reach but with fewer ingredients and condiments.
Tips for beating [food] inflation
Yes, food prices are going up, but that doesn’t mean you are not going to eat. If there is any hope to offer, I’m a strong believer in ‘Project Nigeria,’ and I think you should also key into it. General elections are around the corner. Maybe a new government would offer new economic directions that would bring relief to citizens.
Hope is not a strategy, though, so it is important you study the manifesto of each presidential and governorship candidate and make a choice that you are convinced offers the best hope for Nigeria and Nigerians. Also look at each candidate’s past and present, for they will give an indication of what they may offer when they get to the seat of power. If you can’t study the manifestoes of the candidates, seek guidance. You can look up articles on the highlights of those manifestoes from non-partisan writers.
Now, let’s see some ways to combat inflation. I curated some of these points from experts. Don’t forget to share them – and this article – with others. We are in this together and everyone needs a shoulder to lean on.
• Negotiate lower prices on everyday expenses.
• Postpone big-ticket purchases like cars, equipment and gadgets.
• Invest your money and diversify. Please, in all your doings, don’t do Ponzi schemes or gambling. Don’t say I didn’t tell you!
• Look for side hustles to earn extra income.
• If you can, ask for a raise from your employer. If you aren’t given, take heart!
• Control your lifestyle. Do you really need new designer wear now?
• Target promo sales. Luckily, the festive period is around the corner and many brands are going to be offering sales.
• Minimise food wastage at home and if you can afford it, buy things in bulk.
• Form a carpool. If you have friends or colleagues who head in the same direction to work, you guys can make an arrangement in which each person takes turns driving the others. It can be a daily or weekly arrangement. This way, each person saves money on fuel and other expenses.
• Seek non-monetary and non-material things that give you joy. Your mental health needs it.
It’s a wrap for today.
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Thank you for reading. I’ll see you next week.
Jesusegun