In Katsina State, small-scale business owners are feeling the pinch as nationwide protests continue to affect daily life. The protests have not only led to the vandalization of government and private properties, causing damages worth millions of naira, but have also resulted in injuries to both police officers and protesting youths during clashes.
Aminu Adamu, a 46-year-old petty trader at the Katsina Hajj Camp Roundabout, expressed his frustrations in an interview with Channels Television. “Business is not moving smoothly compared to other days before the protest,” he lamented.
Malam Adamu, who has spent over a decade running a fruit business in the area, called on the Federal Government to support small-scale businesses with enough capital to combat inflation and the economic hardships facing the country. “Even if you purchase commodities, customers don’t come to buy due to high prices. After exhausting all your money on stock, you end up spending the entire capital you’ve accumulated,” he added.
While the protests are undeniably affecting businesses, they’re arguably a necessary evil. If we don’t speak up and protest, we risk continuing to live mediocre lives, suffering in silence and even convincing ourselves that our suffering is somehow enjoyable.
Let’s face it, the situation is bad for small businesses in Katsina. But the harsh reality is that sometimes you have to endure short-term pain for long-term gain. The Federal Government’s neglect and failure to provide adequate support to small businesses have only compounded the challenges. Without significant intervention, these protests, despite their immediate negative impact, might be the catalyst for much-needed change.
