Following the global outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic of which Nigeria is not left out as it has led to dwindling not total stoppage of income, owing to lockdown of businesses and postponment of events in the last 2 weeks to stop the spread of the global virus. One of the industries affected by the lockdown is the event planning sub-sector, which comprises of the planners, caterers, event centres, musicians among others. Some of planners have been counting their losses. Last week, City People’s Adeola Shittu had a chat with 5 Ondo event planners and caterers as they spoke on the effect of Covid-19 on their businesses.
THE 2 WEEKS LOCKDOWN HAS HUGE EFFECT ON US
Says Mrs. Olayinka Michael Ceo Psquare Events
All events have been suspended since 2 weeks, did it has effect on your business?
Yes, of course, it definitely has a huge and negative effect on us in the event industry.
How would you rate the effect?
I must say that, the overall effect is devastating, not just on our size, but also on the economy of our country and of the whole world as everywhere in the state is on a total lockdown. Some people depend on their daily income, on their weekly income and where there’s total lockdown, how would they meet up with their daily needs, so it really has effect.
Who lost out as it is now, is it the planner or the celebrator?
Both parties incurred losses, but when you weigh the event planner’s loss, it is more than the celebrator’s because he or she (that is the Planner) has to go back to their drawing boards because deposit and some full payment were made for same events that were supposed to have been held before the pandemic outbreak. Again, we all know that all events have been postponed, my greatest fear is that 2, 3 or more clients could pick the same day for their events after the pandemic which would be difficult to handle in terms of location, timing and other factors.
Did you foresee this pandemic lasting this long?
No, but what I know is that the siege would be over soon. With all measures put in place, I think it shall soon came to pass.
How will would you sort out clients when everything is over if their dates clash?
There’s no way events won’t clash, but with the help of God, we shall surely get a solution. When we get to the bridge we shall cross it.
COVID-19 HAS INSPIRED ME TO GIVE FREE ONLINE FOOD RECIPES
Says Mrs Dayo Ogunbodede- Animasaun,
Ceo Danifas & Events
How are you coping with this stay at home?
We are coping by adhering strictly to the government policy and directives..Staying save, keeping others safe by staying indoors
Did you foresee this pandemic lasting this long?
Not at all, but since there is no cure yet, and the authority needs to take all the time to cure it permanently. So, we are waiting.
How would you sort out clients when everything is over if their dates clash?
At Danifas Catering, we have the capacity to serve 2 to 3 clients simultaneously at any given engagement on the same day.
How are you coping financially because the belief is that caterers are likely to lose weekly money, catering paid by clients from?
With God on our side, we are coping .. every business has its up and down. This is one of it. This is one of the reasons it is good to cultivate habit of saving, no matter how little. Aside that, we now work from home by doing home delivery to some of our clients.
You recently drop food recipe on your social media page, what inspired that?
I love cooking and I derive pleasure in it, and I know many women are at home doing nothing at this particular time so I decided to give free online training to as many who are interested. A lot are interested, so I started that. I’m still on it, I have done some online training for some this morning and a lot are stills waiting. All for free. It is my own way of helping at this period, no need putting unnecessary burden on ourselves. I termed it “women supporting Women (smile)
THE LOCKDOWN HAS 100 % EFFECT ON ME
SAYS PRINCESS NIYI- TEMIJANA ADEJUMKE CEO JIWAJIWALEKE ASSORTEDFOOD
AND DRINKS
All events have been suspended since 2 weeks ago, does it has effect on you and the industry?
Like seriously, I will say it hit us hard, we didn’t see it coming and we never expected it to be like this. It has a huge negative effect on us in the event industry.
How will you rate the effect?
It’s 100%
Who lost out most as it is now, is it the planner or the celebrator?
The planner, of course, because the celebrators might even change their minds after the holiday. And if they didn’t, most of them have paid, in which ever way the planners are at loss.
How are you coping financially because it is believed that caterers are likely to lose weekly earnings from clients?
To God be the glory. By His grace I’m fine but I’m spending my savings now
Did you foresee this pandemic lasting this long?
No
How will you sort out clients when everything is over if their dates clash with one other?
It’s well ooo. As it is, I have two important events which have been paid for and now they are postponed. Just praying they won’t clash by the time they pick their new dates. And if they do, God would grant me wisdom to handle them perfectly.
EVERY EVENT PLANNER ARE AT LOSS
SAYS OTUNBA ADEBOWALE ADEBIYISOLA CREATIVE LEAD MKBRAND EVENTS AND SECURITY
All events have been suspended since 2 weeks ago, did it has effect on you and the industry?
Yes, Covid-19 has had a great effect on the event industry. With COVID-19 shutting down public gatherings of more than 10 people, many brides and grooms-to-be are having their big days postponed or cancelled. According to market research group, TNS Global. Nigerian wedding can cost up to N9,460-$13,515 with guest lists matching the super-sized budgets. Much of that money goes to the people who actually make the weddings happen: planners, day-coordinators, bands, food vendors, and wait staff. As weddings and wedding-related events are cancelled, those people will lose money; the funds for deposits will be theirs, but that can’t make up for the full cost they spent to put the event together. SO, YES COVID-19 has affected the industry greatly in a negative way
Who losses out most. Is it the event planners or the celebrators?
The planners, because potential clients might prefer to do their weddings on a lower budget, which would include just their family members from both parties.
COVID-9 HAS A GREAT EFFECT ON US
SAYS MRS. AKINTADE ABOSEDE, CEO AKTROYAL EVENTS
AND PLANNING
All events have been suspended since 2 weeks ago, did it has effect on your industry?
Sure, it has a great negative effect on the industry. Even the society at large
How will you rate the effect?
100%
Who losses out most? Is it the planner or the celebrator?
Both incurred losses. Don’t forget that planning events involves lot of things and lot of people are benefiting from it. For instance, I have an event hall and is built for the purpose of making money, I have workers working for me. On the other hands, as a caterer, I have my role to play with my team. But because of the Coronavirus, everybody is at home now, even our musicians and the DJ’s are all home. We pray God should put an end to the pandemic. So, we can all go back to see how we can balance things with our clients.
How are you coping financially?
Hmmm! It has not been easy, but I’m also into other events such as surprise birthday that the stay at home doesn’t really affect.
How will you sort out clients when everything is over, to avoid clashing of dates?
We will sort out things with the help of God. We are used to handling more than one events for a particular weekend, all we need is more hands to do the job.
