Lagos, Nov. 4, 2023: Visitors in their droves on Friday thronged the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the venue of the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) with the hopes of getting good and cheap bargains of household, jewelleries and general use items.
The visitors expressed hopes of getting cheaper prices particularly in face of rising inflationary pressures across the country.
Ms Ademide Falade, a jewelry dealer, said she was visiting the fair for the fifth year in a row as she got good deals in previous editions which she resold after the fair.
This way, she stated, was her means of making profit in the business and also getting quality products.
Falade, however, urged government to find a means to address the country’s inflation rate particularly to enable the poor still make ends meet.
“Everyone knows things are difficult, it’s not a new thing but this time, government has to step in to do something about this difficulty before people enter the streets.
“As for the fair, I resell some of the things in Lagos market. You know North has gold and clean jewelleries so we buy from the Hausas that come from Kano and then resell here.
“It is my hope that we would make sales this year because things are really tough out there, nevertheless we would continue to do our best,” she said.
Another Shopper, Mr Okechukwu Nnamdi, said his goal was the housing stands, as the fair provided means of buying lands at discounted prices.
Nnamdi explained that he observed the development few years ago and has since then been buying few plots at the trade fair.
“When you come here, if outside, you get a plot for say 1 million Naira, at the fair, you may get N900,000 because they are selling plenty and also trying to encourage people to buy.
“That way, I have been buying and keeping after all, a good father leaves a good inheritance for his children,” he said.
Mrs Lilian Nwokoro, a full-time housewife, told NAN that she was at the trade fair to do her Christmas shopping, noting that as the festivities approached in December, cost of children’s wears were bound to soar.
Nwokoro said in view of the current economic realities, wisdom and prudency was a critical prerequisite to navigate the hard times.
She said the fair afforded her the opportunity to buy clothes, shoes and Christmas accessories on time and in good bargain.
“This is where I would be getting every of my Christmas items for my family because few days to the time, getting to the markets would be something else and the prices of everything would be at a different high.
“We are also using the medium to appeal to government to help the ordinary Nigerians even though I know they have done many things already but more targeted interventions is important this time,” he said.
Meanwhile, exhibitors at the 2023 Trade Fair have expressed hopes of making sales this year in spite of current economic realities.
Mr Nasiru Buhari, a jeweller from Kano, said even as at Day 1, many visitors had approached his stand and purchased several items from him better than day 1 last year.
This, he said, gave him hope that things would be better and his capital would be recouped.
He urged visitors to take advantage of the various items available at the fair.
Mrs Labake Folabo, a food vendor, also said things appeared bright even from Day one in spite of her fears of not making even seeing the current standard of living of Nigerians.
Mr Moses Isioma, Manager, Treasurenest, said his expectations was that shoppers purchased items to make their homes and kitchens more suitable.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the fair prices at LITF and get the best bargains for their homes.
