Nigerians are known to be very hard working people. There is no part of the world that you won’t find one or two artisans doing what they know how to do best.? Anthony Ada Abraham spoke to some traders in a random sampling and how they are able to provide for their families with the little income they get.
Mrs Esther Audu sells vegetables in Wuse market. She has been doing this business for the past 10 years. She stated that market has been growing because she has put in her mind to the business.
‘Market dey move well well…as you see, people dey buy vegetables. And I dey make am at least I dey train my children with the money wey I get from the business. ‘
She stated that she also makes some savings of N15,000 every month which compared to government job will not have been possible.
Another woman, Mrs Ngozi Ugochukwu who sells provisions in the same Wuse market stated that the price of good fluctuates. And it makes it impossible for continued profit.
‘The price dey go up and come down. Sometimes I no dey see gain because the amount we use buy the goods no be the amount we dey take sell am. But we still thank God for everything.’
Considering the hindrance from the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) that tries to rid the city of street hocking, some of them still continue with their trade.
Although whenever they notice the presence of the men of AEPB they take to their heels so as not to incur the wrath of the law, as a popular Nigerian saying goes ‘man must survive’.
Considering the hectic nature of these men and women, how they survive, do they have any saving at all? How much do they make, let alone saving for the rainy day.
Felicia Innocent who sells top-up cards also speaks:? ‘I make between N3,000 and N5,000 but during the weekend I make up to N11,000. I know you will be surprised. I also save at least, N30,000 every month so that I can pay my children’s school fees.’
At Pyakasa, a suburb along airport road, there are lots of people plying their trade in the area. From the mini-market which lots of people shop to the street vendors and barber’s shops.
Joseph is a barber and has been doing the business for over six years. His business place has been demolished over three times but it has not deterred him from doing his business.
The patronage is high as people from other area patronise them.
While Kabusa Market is one of the biggest in the vicinity, people from Ketti, sometimes Lokogoma, Pyakasa and Lugbe go there to buy things from these hardworking men and women who do not wait for government to provide their daily bread.
Nigerians are energetic, caring and very industrious. A man in Wuse Market ,who though a gambler, pleaded anonymity but stated that he gets people who want to win quick money , sometimes it ends in fight or police but other times they just smile away.???
‘You know say a lot of people want to make quick money. So we open the cards for them to choose from. When they are not able to identify the correct number, they lose their money, but when they do, they win. We don’t force people to play; we only tell them the benefit.’
When asked if he saves from what he earns, he laughs and said ‘You can never save with this kind business because as it comes that is how it goes.’
Musa Abdulahi who deals in jewelries stated that the business is very lucrative as Nigerians are fashion freaks. Even in his shop, beautifully dressed young and elderly women were busy making their choice from the show glass that houses the jewelries.
‘These are very expensive gold. We don’t sell fake here but original. The prices always send some people away but we do our best because we have customers who supply us from Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Sometimes those influential comer in need of urgent cash bring some of their gold for sell. We buy and resell.’
What about those selling sunshades. Most of them are from the north. While some hawk the products for passersby, some are stationary. When INTERVAL spoke to one of them who wanted to be known as Usman, though sceptic, he stated that they are of different sizes and amount. While some cost around N400, others sell for N1,500 depending on the buyer’s choice and the quality.
Self employment is becoming a normal routine as people are now getting aware that the earlier they stop waiting for white collar job, the better for everyone. Use your head and think of something good, then people can give you a helping hand. When you have no handiwork or Job, it would be very difficult for someone to come to your aid.
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