The less esteemed jobs in Nigeria are the life-line for the survival and up keep for those who are humble and patient, helping them to become self-reliant. Tanko Yunana is one of such people who have achieved a measure of success as a horticulturist. GABRIEL EWEPU speaks with him.
It is a common thought among many youths in Nigeria to start big in one day as they hear and listen to motivational speakers who say, “Think big to achieve big with what you have where you are”.??? The question is, “Is it true and real for somebody who just graduated from high school or college to jump-start his or her life on a platter of gold without a bank account, entrepreneurial training and experience, and to prove wrong the adage of, ‘little drops of water makes the mighty ocean, suffer before pleasure, determination is the key to success, and among others.’
Mr Tanko Yunana, a graduate of Kaduna State College of Education, holds a National Certificate of Education, and hails from Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.? Tanko is a young man who defiled all odds to keep him depressed and frustrated after graduating in 2006, as he could not secure a job of his dream, but was courageous to leave the Zango-Kataf locality he knows very well for the promise land of Abuja, where he believes milk and honey flows free of charge and to discover a goldmine.?
“I left my local government area for Abuja after I completed my tertiary education in 2006.? I was with my elder brother when I came to Abuja. He told me to join him in the business he was doing.?? My elder brother is a horticulturalist and a flower merchant.? He advised and encouraged me to learn the business which will help me to be financially independent pending when I would have secured a better job. I instantly got the vision, and joined him”.? Yunana said.
Yunana was patient and optimistic while he was under the training of his elder brother, who was also a civil servant. He (Yunana) did not feel bad as he worked with his elder brother in the flower nursery despite he studied integrated science and dreamed of a white collar job. He began to develop interest and gradually got experience in the process of nurturing and maturing the beautiful weeds (flowers) of different species.
He said: “To be sincere, it was not easy for me initially when I was in the learning process of horticulture, because it has to do with patience and passion.? As time, went on, I developed strong passion for the business.? I saw the beauty of it, even appreciated nature more for such beautifully coloured and designed plants such as flowers.”
As everything on earth has time, Yunana served in his elder brother’s flower nursery for four years before establishing his own flower nursery along Okonjo Iweala Way, Utako, Abuja close to a stream.? Since then he has been into flower production and supply.? “After I had acquired the necessary skills and experience while I was serving in my elder brother’s flower nursery, I left there in the fourth year with him to establish my own flower nursery and supply business. I chose this place, because of the stream over there, it doesn’t get dry, and also it is economical, I do not buy water, I use my water pumping machine to transfer the water to where the nursery is.”
The business demands patience and determination, because one has to wait for the seedlings to grow with constant watering, especially in the dry season.? The seedlings are not sourced far away.
He said:?? “I source for seedlings in Abuja from places they do grow at Wuse and Maitama. I do not buy the seedlings; it is only the top-soil for planting the seedlings, the manure and polythene bags wherein they are kept for nursing and transplanting when buyers come.”
Yunana, sitting in the midst of his beautifully organised flower nursery with variety of flowers, looked so relaxed and expectant of customers.? The flowers blossomed and look attractive as the gentle breeze blow and sunlight rays beam on them under some few trees, providing shade for him (Yunana) and customers.? The flowers are well taken care of because of the passion and commitment of Yunana as he incurs some expenses to keep the nursery going.? “I order for a pick-up van loaded with manure for N10, 000 (ten thousand naira), while the top-soil goes for N6, 000 (six thousand naira).? Then I buy polythene bags for the seedlings, and fuel my water pumping machine? to water the nursery three times in a week,” he said.
The flowers are sourced in Nigeria, but only some are imported, but Yunana does not have the means yet to import such flowers.? Customers patronise him, especially in this season of the year.? Yunana’s flower nursery is a time threatened by the owners of the land when they want to make use of the land, “Actually, the only challenge I have in this business is permanent land.? Like this place I am, is not mine.? Look at the fencing project going on (he points). I have to move some of the seedlings to give way for the fencing.? This is the second time I am experiencing this. The good thing is that I do not pay for the land space I occupy for the business.
For the years I have been along this way task force from Abuja Environmental Protection Board (A.E.P.B) has not troubled me.? My being here also adds beauty to the street and the city.? Likewise the Department of Parks and Recreation has not come to me,” Yunana said.
The business is quiet lucrative as customers demand for a particular specie of flower, and money being paid in cash, “Especially in this dry season, I make over N10, 000 (ten thousand naira) in a week.? I do landscaping and plant flowers for individuals and companies, including setting up of flower nursery on contract basis, which I also make some money.”
Yunana has been on Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Way, Utako for over three years in the business. Out of it he ekes out a living and support members of his family, and has achieved a level of success.? He said: “I am grateful to God for this business I am doing.? I am self-reliant and financially buoyant to a certain level, because I have been able to sponsor the education of my younger ones, also remit money to my aged mother in the village, and I got married.? I have also built a three bedroom house at Nasarawa State.”
He has trained others in the business, and they have also set up their nurseries. He said some people look down on him because of the place he is doing business, while others look at the job as menial and demeaning.?
Notwithstanding, Yunana is proud of his business of beautifying residents and corporate organisation.? It will interest you to know that he was one of the horticulturists whose service was hired by LEADERSHIP Newspaper to beautify its corporate headquarters.
“My advice to graduates like me is, do not sit idle, nor be going about in search of white-collar jobs, which are elusive.? This kind of my business is able to keep your pot boiling and put food on your table.?? If you are interested come to me, I will train you,” Yunana said.
The dream of Yunana includes acquiring piece of a land for beautiful flower garden for recreation purposes, and also to further his education, “In Abuja today, people are seriously investing in the hospitality sector, which include recreation facilities like gardens, and they make money as people come and relax, hold social activities.? So, I am also dreaming to approach the Parks and Recreation Department for a piece of land for my big flower garden.? I also have intention of furthering my education from where I stopped to a desired level, and I am saving some money towards that.”