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CHRISTMAS VILLAGE BLACK MARKET KIOSK: THE WRITING ON THE WALL
My initial reaction to the news of Christmas Village kiosks being resold for as high as three hundred thousand naira in the black market was anger. I was vexed at such greed and selfishness. The Pastor Umo Eno-led administration has been intentional about subsidizing livelihoods for our people. Initiatives like the Arise Healthcare Insurance, Bulk Purchase and Food Distribution programmes, testify to the Governor’s efforts to reduce the cost of living for the citizenry.
Reducing the cost of kiosks at the Christmas Village from last year's one hundred and fifty thousand naira—despite increased construction and operational costs—was a deliberate move to make them affordable and maximize the profit margin for vendors during the 32 days of Christmas Unplugged 2.0. Yet, some selfish individuals exploited this noble initiative by reselling kiosks with a 300% markup.
However, what baffled me even more was that people were willing to pay such exorbitant prices. I couldn’t help but ask myself: What will they sell? At what rate? How will they recoup such an investment and still make a profit? These questions lingered until yesterday morning, when the answers became clear.
At 6 a.m., the manager of Amazing Pot, my cousin, called urgently. She requested a soft loan to purchase goat heads for the shop. Half-asleep, I initially dismissed her plea, thinking, What’s the emergency in buying goat head for a night business? But her reply caught my attention: “Christmas Village vendors are rushing goat heads; the available ones are for the highest bidders. If I don’t buy now, there won’t be Isi Ewu at Amazing Pot.” Realizing the urgency, I transferred the money.
The Christmas Village, officially opened on December 1, 2024, by the representative of the Governor, and Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, has become a hub of economic activities. Just four days in, vendors are experiencing sales, leading to spikes in demand for goat head. Suddenly, the rationale behind paying three hundred thousand naira for kiosks became evident: the business potential was massive.
The Christmas Village was designed not just as a festive venue but as an economic engine. The rich buffet of cultural displays, entertainment, scenic beauty, and tourism potentials have attracted lots of patrons. Vendors, especially those offering local delicacies, have tapped into this influx of customers, making their kiosks a worthwhile investment.
As an experienced entrepreneur, Pastor Umo Eno has transformed the Ibibio Museum grounds into a profitable marketplace. While the Governor's concerns over the sharp practices of kiosk black marketers are valid, we must also acknowledge the success story unfolding at the Ibom Christmas Village.
This article does not, in any way, rationalize the illegality of kiosks reselling. Instead, it points to the overwhelming demand and the value the Christmas Village has added to the local business community. The writing on the wall is clear: this initiative is not just about celebrating Christmas; it’s about creating opportunities and boosting the economy of Akwa Ibom State.
#TheGoldenEraAndYou
#AriseAgenda
#GovernorUmoEno
#AmazingAniebietFrancis
My initial reaction to the news of Christmas Village kiosks being resold for as high as three hundred thousand naira in the black market was anger. I was vexed at such greed and selfishness. The Pastor Umo Eno-led administration has been intentional about subsidizing livelihoods for our people. Initiatives like the Arise Healthcare Insurance, Bulk Purchase and Food Distribution programmes, testify to the Governor’s efforts to reduce the cost of living for the citizenry.
Reducing the cost of kiosks at the Christmas Village from last year's one hundred and fifty thousand naira—despite increased construction and operational costs—was a deliberate move to make them affordable and maximize the profit margin for vendors during the 32 days of Christmas Unplugged 2.0. Yet, some selfish individuals exploited this noble initiative by reselling kiosks with a 300% markup.
However, what baffled me even more was that people were willing to pay such exorbitant prices. I couldn’t help but ask myself: What will they sell? At what rate? How will they recoup such an investment and still make a profit? These questions lingered until yesterday morning, when the answers became clear.
At 6 a.m., the manager of Amazing Pot, my cousin, called urgently. She requested a soft loan to purchase goat heads for the shop. Half-asleep, I initially dismissed her plea, thinking, What’s the emergency in buying goat head for a night business? But her reply caught my attention: “Christmas Village vendors are rushing goat heads; the available ones are for the highest bidders. If I don’t buy now, there won’t be Isi Ewu at Amazing Pot.” Realizing the urgency, I transferred the money.
The Christmas Village, officially opened on December 1, 2024, by the representative of the Governor, and Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, has become a hub of economic activities. Just four days in, vendors are experiencing sales, leading to spikes in demand for goat head. Suddenly, the rationale behind paying three hundred thousand naira for kiosks became evident: the business potential was massive.
The Christmas Village was designed not just as a festive venue but as an economic engine. The rich buffet of cultural displays, entertainment, scenic beauty, and tourism potentials have attracted lots of patrons. Vendors, especially those offering local delicacies, have tapped into this influx of customers, making their kiosks a worthwhile investment.
As an experienced entrepreneur, Pastor Umo Eno has transformed the Ibibio Museum grounds into a profitable marketplace. While the Governor's concerns over the sharp practices of kiosk black marketers are valid, we must also acknowledge the success story unfolding at the Ibom Christmas Village.
This article does not, in any way, rationalize the illegality of kiosks reselling. Instead, it points to the overwhelming demand and the value the Christmas Village has added to the local business community. The writing on the wall is clear: this initiative is not just about celebrating Christmas; it’s about creating opportunities and boosting the economy of Akwa Ibom State.
#TheGoldenEraAndYou
#AriseAgenda
#GovernorUmoEno
#AmazingAniebietFrancis
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE BLACK MARKET KIOSK: THE WRITING ON THE WALL
My initial reaction to the news of Christmas Village kiosks being resold for as high as three hundred thousand naira in the black market was anger. I was vexed at such greed and selfishness. The Pastor Umo Eno-led administration has been intentional about subsidizing livelihoods for our people. Initiatives like the Arise Healthcare Insurance, Bulk Purchase and Food Distribution programmes, testify to the Governor’s efforts to reduce the cost of living for the citizenry.
Reducing the cost of kiosks at the Christmas Village from last year's one hundred and fifty thousand naira—despite increased construction and operational costs—was a deliberate move to make them affordable and maximize the profit margin for vendors during the 32 days of Christmas Unplugged 2.0. Yet, some selfish individuals exploited this noble initiative by reselling kiosks with a 300% markup.
However, what baffled me even more was that people were willing to pay such exorbitant prices. I couldn’t help but ask myself: What will they sell? At what rate? How will they recoup such an investment and still make a profit? These questions lingered until yesterday morning, when the answers became clear.
At 6 a.m., the manager of Amazing Pot, my cousin, called urgently. She requested a soft loan to purchase goat heads for the shop. Half-asleep, I initially dismissed her plea, thinking, What’s the emergency in buying goat head for a night business? But her reply caught my attention: “Christmas Village vendors are rushing goat heads; the available ones are for the highest bidders. If I don’t buy now, there won’t be Isi Ewu at Amazing Pot.” Realizing the urgency, I transferred the money.
The Christmas Village, officially opened on December 1, 2024, by the representative of the Governor, and Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, has become a hub of economic activities. Just four days in, vendors are experiencing sales, leading to spikes in demand for goat head. Suddenly, the rationale behind paying three hundred thousand naira for kiosks became evident: the business potential was massive.
The Christmas Village was designed not just as a festive venue but as an economic engine. The rich buffet of cultural displays, entertainment, scenic beauty, and tourism potentials have attracted lots of patrons. Vendors, especially those offering local delicacies, have tapped into this influx of customers, making their kiosks a worthwhile investment.
As an experienced entrepreneur, Pastor Umo Eno has transformed the Ibibio Museum grounds into a profitable marketplace. While the Governor's concerns over the sharp practices of kiosk black marketers are valid, we must also acknowledge the success story unfolding at the Ibom Christmas Village.
This article does not, in any way, rationalize the illegality of kiosks reselling. Instead, it points to the overwhelming demand and the value the Christmas Village has added to the local business community. The writing on the wall is clear: this initiative is not just about celebrating Christmas; it’s about creating opportunities and boosting the economy of Akwa Ibom State.
#TheGoldenEraAndYou
#AriseAgenda
#GovernorUmoEno
#AmazingAniebietFrancis
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