₦airaland Forum

ericoleon:
Hi everyone
thanks for keeping this thread going over the last few months. I sincerely hope in a few month time global entrepreneurs would emerge as a result of the inspiration from this thread.

to Karin yours a Blessing and also please don't be in a rush to start a new thread let's all work hand in hand to promote this thread

I am so happy that this was such a blessing to you.

It justifies all the hard work. My desire is that most of us who desire to improve ourselves will soon come to realizing that the only obstacle we have that impedes our progress and advancement is ourselves as expressed in our thoughts and words.

There is a lot of self help available in the world today. The help you need to propel you to the next level might just be in the next book you read. Social media is so powerful that even those of us that use it for frivolities have no idea of its potential for change(in both directions;positive and negative).

There is so much on can do to help oneself. The first step is in the decisions we make. How do we make use of a particular resource? Lets take the T.V for instance. I belong to the t.v age. What kind of choices do you make as regards your movies? What do you watch? How does it affect you? This singular choice is so important that I personally choose to watch films that will show me how to overcome adversities. One movie comes to mind right away; ''The pursuit of Happiness'' starring Will Smith.

All it shows you is the courage to go on. I consider this the very best of Will Smith.
And so many others abound.

By the way is there any one who can help me with the film "Lincoln''. i missed it when it was showing at Silverbird Cinemas when I was still in Lagos.

No matter what you do please take advantage of this time and by all means advance in leaps and bounds.

Please note that even the current recession is a great opportunity, its just disguised.

[quote author=arthurshelly post=49204636]Can someone that reside in ijoko axis apply?[/quot

Ijoko is too far.

With the current road construction efforts, it will be too tedious.

My thoughts though.

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Hello All,

i am interested in setting up my sister for this egg distributorship business. She resides in Lagos. The first thing I need to buy for her is egg crates. Can anyone help in advising on where I can procure them wholesale.

I would like to start with about two hundred crates(plastic preferred).

Or better still, is there anyone on the thread or forum selling crates?

Hello, I have a Nokia 730 dual sim phone that is about 1 year old. I like this phone very much and would like to continue using it. i only have just two issues which I hope this platform can help me resolve;

1.I would like to replace the cracked screen and the rear cover.

2. I wonder why the true caller works differently on this phone. could it be an installation or download issue? The feature only reveals the identity of the caller after the phone has rung full cycle. On my Android phone HTC desire 818, truecaller shows the identity of the caller simultaneously with the call as it is coming in?

can somebody be gracious enough to help?
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Hello, I have a Nokia 730 dual sim phone that is about 1 year old. I like this phone very much and would like to continue using it. i only have just two issues which I hope this platform can help me resolve;

1.I would like to replace the cracked screen and the rear cover.

2. I wonder why the true caller works differently on this phone. could it be an installation or download issue? The feature only reveals the identity of the caller after the phone has rung full cycle. On my Android phone HTC desire 818, truecaller shows the identity of the caller simultaneously with the call as it is coming in?

can somebody be gracious enough to help?

dannB:
Its easy to do. You will create a new topic under business section about sales of FMCG. After that, you will post the link to your new topic on this thread and we will connect to it from here.

Thanks DannB. I will alert you as soon as I gather the courage to commence the thread. i hope that will be soon.

plaetton:
Madam, this is exactly the problems we athiest have with religion.You have a loving husband whom you have loved and admired all this while and who has also loved you uncoditionally despite your religiousity.Now you are just beginning to feel uncomfortable about his athiesm. Why? Because of what others (religious folks ) are insinuating? Why is so hard to tolerate people who do not share your religious beliefs? Would you have prefered to be married to the so-called born again religous pretenders who outwardly profess regiousity but whose hearts are dark pits, than to a non-petensious reality-oriented man whose heart and mind is transparent to you at all times?

Have you reckoned that the problem might be with you and the increase in your religious zeal? Are you surprised that your pastor does not like him? How do u expect a pastor to like someone whom he cannot manipulate and sap? You are exhibiting the typical symptoms. Soon they will start seeing visions and prophesies about how your husband is evil and is going to do this or that to you and your children.
There is nothing in this world that divides people more than religion. Religion can destory your home if you allow it to do so.Your home should be your church. The love of your husband and children should be your sanctuary.
I guarantee that You cannot find in a church, what you cannot find in your home-namely love,sincerity,respect and peace.

I am an athiest who is married to a born again wife. I made my position know from the start and we have lived happily. I go to church with her from time to time. But I have grown waery of the "name it and claim it" theology of the pentecostal preachers,so I do not go anymore. I put my foot down on no night vigils, retreats,house fellowships, and midweek service. Otherwise, I try not to interfere. I find that is her church members who always want to make our religious difference an issue. I always put them in their right place.
As for my children, I have already succeeded in planting seeds of doubts in thier young minds, which for me ,is sufficient enough to help them develope the healthy skeptism necessary to intelligently discern life and reality, hopefully, from both a philosophycal and scientific perspectives rather than from religious perspective.

I do not see any problems in you family except the one that your religious peers are pressuring you to create.
Take note that the increase in your religious zeal is and will be directly proportional to the level of tension,resentment and ultimately, distrust in your household. I hope you make wise decisions.

GBAM! GBAM! GBAM!

Permit me to say that the above is just spot on. I think you may have unconsciously changed and not your hubby.

You are lucky to have such a tolerant man. He allows you your freewill and expression. I also think he deserves his space in this regard. And why chastise him for expressing himself publicly. We all do the same and defensively too. What is good for the goose..........!!!!!!

Methinks there is enough space for every religious inclination without unnecessary bickering arising most times from a deep seated insecurity or inferiority.

My advice is that you should protect your loving husband from your religious fanatics who feel that everybody must be like them. If there is love between the two of you as you have expressed it why allow interlopers to invade your family space?

In my time I have met many atheist and agnostic (including the supposed secret cultists) husbands and I daresay they may prove better partners to us born again wives of especially the Pentecostal acclaim than the rest of men.

Just saying and it is strictly my opinion.

dannB:
thanks for the complement. Kindly notify us when you create the FMCG sales thread so that we can follow you.

And HOW am I supposed to do that?

I don't know how.

Maybe you should show a sister.

dannB:
@karin001, thank you for replying. I intend to start fruit juice company in september. I have the practical skills and three years experience from Chi in producing juice too. I want to produce and package the natural fruit juice in 50cl and supply to company staff canteens, local restaurants, school campuses at 125 naira. While they sell it at 150 and make 25 naira profit per unit sold. In term of quality, my fruit juice stand among the best because it is made from fresh fruit rather than concentrate.
My problem now is how do I penetrate my target markets as new producer and what sales model should I adopt too.

I now have a better picture of your product. I must say that this is impressive. Your experience in Chi will really help in the production process and maybe in the quality control mechanism.

However, A very important aspect of the business will have to be taken care of. There is no business where there is no sale. That will now be your mantra.

I hope I will be able to help you through my new thread on the rudiments of sales of F.M.C.G. create. I am thinking of also introducing you to a one business guru whose experience might help you tremendously. Its just that I have to explain your request to him and he has to create time for you because he is very busy.

Bottomline? You will succeed.

dannB:
@karin001, kindly advise me on how to market new fruit juice product in lagos with regards to my target markets. How do I avoid selling on credit and what sales model should I adopt in lagos. God bless you ma.

What kind of juice are you attempting to sell?

Where is the potential market?

I have to know the product, the pricing, the place and the promoting typology.

Advising you alone and immediately may not be possible right away.

I however intend to create a new thread on the basics of sales and marketing in the nearest future. This thread will target those who are interested in commencing a sales career or business.

We will highlight certain stereotypes about sales and debunk some of the far-fetched negative theories, I also intend to select about 10 to 20 people in a major city and show them in as near practical terms as possible how to excel in the F.M.C.G sales arena with as little as 20.000 Naira startup capital.

We will identify the territories and then choose a common product that is potentially a mover and attack the market with veracity. You can learn immensely from that thread which I hope debuts in August 2016.

Look out for it!

Today I got a very long yet interesting e-mail from a married woman who had read this thread through and through.

I must say that this is the singular most goose pimples popping reward I have received since embarking on this mission which was essentially targeted at the middle aged woman who had little to do probably because of domestic obligations or the lack of 'reasonable' capital.

The contents of her mail were so wonderful that I felt so encouraged I will paraphrase her message and present it here.
For me the entire purpose of this very tasking effort was fulfilled in her very words.

oriosan:
Thanks ma'am, I just didn't want him to think I was insulting him.

Little beginnings matter a lot in business. It's most likely you even crash your business if you start really large without knowing the basics or doing your research well but starting small guarantees a lot.

I bet i won't spend up to that amount if I was the one starting up, there are lots of options outside the box, only if he'll so his research well.

Thanks once again and have a blessed day.

I should be the one showing appreciation. At least once in a long while you come across a few people on this platform who have their thinking still in check.

Rather than humbly admit that the prevailing socio-economic circumstances resulting in a profound economic imbalance are directly resultant from the accumulation of our individual thoughts, actions and inaction, they would rather place the blame for their present circumstances on the shoulders of every and any other person, institution, government and society.

An open platform like reveals the thinking pattern of the majority of the constituents of our society. The value system is so glaring in the individual posts that you can ascertain with very little margin of error where our country will be in the nearest future.

The social media platforms can be a most beneficial springboard for social advancement, political consciousness/revival, educational expansion and economic emancipation. It can also be used for very selfish and destructive ends. however for those who are really serious I can assure you that with a little discernment, your steps will be guided accordingly and believe me it will eventually add more value to your certifications at whatever level.

I simply do not understand why a man, presumably young will not see the loss of his day job as a blessing in disguise. Herein lies a typical example of the contemporary Nigerian youth. Simply pathetic.

For your information 100,000 is the stuff of dreams for a certain type of man. That is enough capital to start more than five small businesses and rein in 1 Million Naira in less than One year from a conservative standpoint. Examples abound of Nigerians who have started very humbly and are today the toast of society without necessarily bending the rules. Cosmas Maduka and Michael Ade Ojo of Coscharis Group and Elizade Motors respectively come to mind.

May I one day be convinced of enough people on the Nigerian Social Media Space that are willing to come together and create a gargantuan revolution that will ensure that our GDP benefits significantly from Small and Medium Scale contributions. I await that thread.

It cant be this difficult. China has done it, so has Singapore, India, Indonesia and a lot of others.

Lets keep hope alive.

oriosan:
Boss, i dont mean to sound rude, if you want something go for it!!! You seem to have excuse for every solution provided here. Think outside the box, if you are really serious about this..

Have you thought of how to make it work rather than sit and just wipe off ideas because 'money for shop' is too much?

You said you love the game idea, have you thought of going round to barbing saloons to see if there is just enough space to fit in 2 to 3 TVs? You don't necessarily need to rent a shop to start. All you need is buy 2 to 3 PS2s loaded with games , the price is very low right now, 2-3 TVs. Talk to barbers around and see if you can get a part of their shop or even if you have to construct and extension just outside it. The choice is yours.

Thanks

Your response is on point and there is really no need for apologies.

I personally do not think this guy is ready. it may also be that the guy in question does not understand the concept of small beginnings.

So many start up stories exist on this platform that has to do with startups.

Testimonies also abound of people who have drawn impetus from ideas spread on various threads and have made a success of it.

I know Orile very well and I can tell you that it is a better location for business startups that Lekki Phase one. Many successful businesses are started with very little amounts.

Seek inspiration from other peoples threads. Quit asking for more ideas.

A second and very viable option is to negotiate for a rebate with the principal.

Many companies oblige you a rebate which is usually given out as products that you are currently on their behalf.

So at the end of the month you could be rewarded with some products which you can in turn translate into cash.

Now, assuming you sell a product that does not give you an appreciable margin then what you do is to ensure that the cumulative profit is such that it makes it worth your while.

If for instance you are selling items like kiddie’s biscuits which are priced at 5.00 to 10.00 per pack it goes without saying that your profit per pack is going to quite infinitesimal. If you however have a high volume sale the cumulative profit you make over all the sales will definitely be worth your while.

Please note that for traders involved in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, you should not really concern yourself at the beginning with profits on the individual packs but just ensure your break even. Profits are a function of volume which is the result of aggressive networking and serious canvassing.

On very careful observation, two things came to the fore;

1. They are not really the ones interested in the product. It is their own customers that dictate what they stock. If customers come to your shop regularly for a particular product and he is never supplied, he will divert his attention somewhere else. At that point you have not just lost a sale but you have also lost a customer who could patronize you for many years on end.

Most probably too, he wouldn’t just have ended as a chin-chin customer but in his not finding the product he seeks from you he will then seek out other shops that have the product and should he see it in another shop then he is likely to buy all the other things he wanted to buy right there if they are available.

That is why traders in their bid to keep their customers always stock what is in very high demand even where the profit margin of the well sought after product is not so appreciable.

After all said and done what will sustain the trader of fast moving consumer goods company is a significantly high volume of sales.

How to manage the Supplier predicated fluctuations in prices without it significantly impacting your turnover.

Prices are what a trader/distributor really has no control over. Immediately the prices of the major raw materials some other production input spikes or there is an increase in the price of some other production variable that cost to a large extent is transferred presumably to the customer. However, this is not mostly the case. Resulting from competition in the market, the elasticity or otherwise of the product in question, the resistance of very knowledgeable customers to unjustifiable increases and a variety of other factors, the distributor is left without any other choice but to ensure that he sells only products in high demand even if it translates into a slice off his margin/profit.

Even in the very case where it is almost impossible to make a profit at all you will still see traders still selling the product. This use to baffle me a lot while I was in Lagos. Traders who were my customers always amazed me when they complained bitterly that my product was not giving them any profit and yet they just continued buying.

Kingkingsley:
waiting to see how you will treat this one graciously. note using mimi chin chin and the one you are selling. thanks for this thread

King kingsley, I really don’t understand what you would like me to say about the Minimi and the brand that I am hawking.

Kindly explain and I can revisit or at least to the best of my ability address your concerns or observations.

Other examples abound where price fluctuations have enthroned and dethroned products as kings and queens of particular sectors, one just has to look objectively.

The big question is how do you as a trader manage this inconsistency in prices.

Many theories probably abound about this but I will present my opinion which is just that; an opinion but predicated on my personal experience and studies undertaken in this field.

In the world of trading as I have come to discover, the price of your promoted product plays a very significant role in the success of your business especially for the not so popular brands. A simple example regarding price fluctuations as it affects the market generally and the retailer in particular will suffice here:

For us housewives, our daily household laundry was redefined some years ago by the incursion of the attractively and economically packed Indonesian brands of detergent; Ariel and Klin into the Nigerian market. This was a serious set-back to the common household names we grew up with which were Omo and Elephant. Tagging along was the equally very attractively packed and economically packed B29 bar soap which was a welcome replacement to the existing options; Premier and Sunshine which dominated the market in the era of our mothers.

Please note that while Ariel and Klin were not necessarily cheaper than Elephant and Omo, they were packed in easy to afford units thus ensuring more reach and a deeper penetration into the market. Another plus was the fact they came in a different powder colour which was quite innovative on their part.

Growing up, I erroneously thought that the imported detergent brand; Persil was meant only for the washing machine and more specifically for my dad’s work shirts and my Mum’s undergarments which were mainly white. Over time Nigerian women have come to appreciate that nothing beats white when it comes to laundry soaps or detergents.

The economy took a toll on these brands such that the prices began to increase and the competition from other imported brands which was then compounded by the introduction of the repackaged Omo, Elephant plus the launch of Sunlight detergent and all of them copied the economy pack model. Gradually, their dominance of the market waned as a result of their increasing prices.

This was an open invitation to more efficient companies with lean operating expenses to make an incursion into the market place. By this time Ariel and Klin were selling in a very keenly competitive segment. Then comes Waw, which arrives with a not so attractive packaging but with a superbly attractive pricing. They presented their soaps in both detergent form and bar type.

Today Wawa and Sunshine detergent primarily dominate that sector even though in different packaging sizes. For one reason or the other Waw has been able to keep their prices within an acceptable band thus being rewarded with an ever increasing patronage.

How to manage the fluctuations in prices from your supplier without allowing affect your sales volume and Turnover.

One of the factors that work against the small scale business especially these dealing with non-essential goods is price fluctuation in the market place. In an economy like ours which is wholly a mono product economy which is again tied to the apron strings of the International economy, such fluctuations are very frequent thus resulting in inconsistencies that can cause significant disruptions in an already precarious economic milieu. Unfortunately these prices always look north and this has very devastating effects on the trader especially the newbie in sales.

On this fateful day at the airport Angel regaled me with her story.

She and John had dated till and after graduation. Her father had died and his brother (Angela’s uncle) took over the stool.

When she was ready for marriage and introduced John to her uncle, they turned him down
saying he was the unemployed son of a pauper frying akara for a living.
Stubborn Angela went ahead and married John in a civil ceremony at Ikoyi registry.

John had just started frying puff-puff while Princess Angela was a bread distributor for UTC foods. They started really small and today Angela has a major bakery in Lagos while John fries puff-puff big time on the fringes of Ogun state.

They live on one acre of land and John sells puff-puff in excess of 3 million Naira daily. They started out in 2004 and today John drives a Toyota Prado while his wife drives Sienna both bought brand new from Metropolitan motors on the same day.

Each time I see those Ghana guys plying their sales with puff-puff filled cases I cannot help but imagine that that could be John and Angela making money.

I just hope that the new law in Lagos state will not crash their sales significantly.

And Angela did reconcile with her family. Her brother became king and she had the traditional marriage only worthy of a Princess. Both businesses started in 2004 with the sum of 200,000.00.

I would not be deterred. And I will never despise the days of my humble beginnings.

Fortunately, my love for books had just guided me to the book; Awaken the Giant within’ by Anthony Robbins.

There was no time to waste. All the people I consulted kept advising that I search for a new job since I had already grown so far in my career. I was determined that it was time to drop my certificates and do business. My loved ones were concerned about my lack of adequate capital but I explained to them and everyone else who cared to listen that in my in my time, I have seen many people who have started very small and are doing very well just a few years after. I must nonetheless confess that I had butterflies in my stomach each time I noted that my total capital amounted to only about Two Hundred Thousand Naira only. It gave me goose pimples and all I could really do at that time was await the answer to my prayer which was essentially for guidance that will lead me into a business that will flourish even with the little capital that I could muster.

During that waiting period I went to the airport to drop my hubby off and ran into a classmate of mine during my University days. It was quite an enchanting experience which became the pivot for my next move. Angela (not her real name) was the daughter of a traditional ruler in Eastern Nigeria and had quite an upper class upbringing with all the perks and luxuries that money and societal status could procure. She was the only daughter of a king. Quite a princess if you ask me.

Though a diversion, I will recall an incident that took place in school just to give my riders an idea of how wealthy she was. During one of her father’s numerous business trips to our university town he decided to visit her princess at the flat he had rented for her and while awaiting her return, he treated us to some delicacies from one of the foremost eateries in town.

Angela then arrived on top of an Okada. The king saw her daughter alighting and almost passed out. We thought he was dying. His shock drew from the fact that the daughter was careless enough to climb the contraption called ‘Okada’. All entreaties that it was safe and all students were clients of this form of transportation fell on deaf ears. Her father gifted her with a car that same day before leaving town.

That’s how wealthy he was even though I think he was a bit arrogant.

His daughter however, was an epitome of humility and modesty. You could never tell she was royalty. She dated a very humble guy in school back then. This guy; John, was really poor and was raised with 3 other siblings by his widowed mum who sold Akara on the roadside by the city centre.

This was the best Akara in town then.

Some people in this forum may relate with this particular akara scenario if they attended the same university or lived in that town for a while. The struggle for the Mamas' Akara every evening is better imagined.

Small businesses can be started with very little capital and run into profitability.

There is no need waiting for the traditional requirements such as sufficient capital, a car for moving around and a well located shop.

These requirements can be circumvented successfully without too much damage.

Just start where you are and with what you have and plod along. the advantage we have in Nigeria is that unlike many developed countries you can start a business at the smallest level as a reflection of what your economic standing permits.
Please note at this stage you may not be making tangible profit but believe me the mistakes you will make at this point will be really cheap especially when compared with those mistakes being made in the future when you are a lot more stable financially.

About three years ago, after losing my job occasioned by a ‘right sizing’ in the company I had worked happily for over five years I was quite happy as against what the common norm was. Well, not really happy-happy, but maybe relieved.

I refused to be discouraged by the very ominous fact that the economic situation of the company as at then only allowed them to severe the relationship with just three months’ salaries which was not much. While my colleagues, or rather immediate ex-colleagues were seriously growling and seeking legal approaches to ensure a well-deserved settlement I decided to take a break and just think.

I am so excited about my resumption. Calls have started coming in from both big and small buyers. So far today I have received 32 calls.

There is really so much that can be learnt from action.

I must confess that my return from India was both exciting and anxiety filled. I was wondering what would be my fate when I got back.

While I knew it would be hard work to restart the business, I was positive that I would be able to get it done but maybe with a little less speed. Incidentally, the wailing of people as regards the economy did not have that much impact on me. The fact that the margins were also becoming smaller did not also deter me that much.

I just kept the focus on what volume I needed to sell to overcome the attendant difficulties resulting from the drop in margins.

Monday will be he test of my faith. I have 700 bags to sell off and I intend to offload them in Port Harcourt within a maximum of two weeks. If I can do this successfully I would have earned a gross profit of 70,000.00 only and since my overheads are pretty low my net profit would be somewhere around 50,000.

Tonight after my hubby and kids have retired or maybe tomorrow afternoon I intend to write about the following;

1. How small businesses can be started with very little capital and run into profitability.
There is no need waiting for the traditional requirements such as sufficient capital, a car for moving around and a well located shop.
These requirements can be circumvented successfully without too much damage.

2. How to manage the fluctuations in prices from your supplier without allowing affect your sales.

3. I will also show how calculating profit margins based on individual units may not present a wholesome picture.

Do keep a date

This is usually the most trying period in the cycle of this business. You really cannot close your eyes to sleep properly while your entire life savings is traversing dangerous expressways in rickety cars and sometimes with irresponsible drivers trying to find its way to you. It can be very draining.

Sometimes I wonder how the owners of luxury bus companies sleep at night. Most especially the ones that operate the infamous night buses. I doff my hat for them.

Anybody in the house who has reliable buses and drivers and who can offer consistent trips from Lagos to Port Harcourt may contact me via PM. I am very inclined to doing business with a Nairaland co-traveller. Your bus must however be pristine and must be able to do the delivery within 24 hours. Owners of trucks with capacities of 3.5 tonnage and above may contact me via pm.

This morning I have been assured by the Operations Manager that my goods will leave Lagos state today for Port Harcourt.

Only 700 bags will come as the vehicle that is available for immediate departure is a Peugeot Boxer.
Its maximum capacity is 700 bags of chi-chin.

Subsequently, there will be a supply of 300 bags which will come as an attachment to the goods for the Port Harcourt Depot. I'm looking forward to receiving these good as I already have orders for a total of 400 bags. I am planning to order for another set of goods immediately after supplying 500 bags of the coming order.

I then offered her a scarf and I informed her that I was taking my leave.

She excused herself and went inside again and came back with another envelope and she handed it to me and said it was an upfront payment for the next supply. On this envelope was written profits from Fairy chin-chin sales. In the envelop was the sum of 96,000. Naira. She now brought 4,000 from her bag and added to it bringing the sum to 100k.

The most surprising thing she did however was the fact that when she accompanied me to the car park she gave me another 10,000 saying it is her contribution to the expenses we incurred for my mum.

Then she added that as a reply to my question regarding why stuff was written on the envelops in her safe, she is 62 years old and she is thankful for having a great life but that she understands that her final call could come any day and she wouldn’t like any confusion as regards her life and so this was a preparation for that day. Her kids and others should not experience any difficulties in knowing what belongs to who.

I was humbled and thanked her profusely and then departed. A great lesson in Fiscal management and integrity.
Phew! It had been a wonderful day filled with blessings and lessons on possibilities.

I quickly went to the bank and placed an order for 1000 bags together and confirmed my order by telephone. I was simply grateful for today’s experience.

When I set out in the morning I was only hoping to order for 300 bags because of the available cash but ended up ordering for 1000 bags.

Impressive I would say.

2.Mummy Kelechi. An epitome of Fiscal discipline and Inexplicable Integrity

Mummy Kelechi was owing me the sum of 100,000.00 before my trip.

Normally she doesn’t owe more than a few days. If you deliver and you meet her in person she pays you immediately but in most cases I get to her shop before her daily resumption time which is about 10.00 am. This time around she I had requested that she send the money to my account since I was going to be away. She was emphatic that she wouldn’t as she cannot really trust anybody to send and she would be too busy to go to the bank but that my money would be intact on my return.

Yesterday I went to her shop and guess what?

She didn’t just dip her hands into her till and pay me as other traders are wont to do but she went to the safe and on opening it brought out brown envelope with my name and phone number written on it and below that was clearly written; ‘being payment reserved for the supply of 50 cartons of chin-chin on the 5th of May 2016.’ Wow!

I asked her why she went through the trouble of writing all that down on the envelope. She became quiet for a while and then switched the topic to my mum and the Indian experience.

I told her about it and she kept offering prayers of gratitude for my mum and also prayers of blessing for children all around the world who were taking care of their parents in their times of need.

In her narration, Wunmi told me she was 53, and had been married twice and ever since her parents’ death when she was a teenager, no one had ever showed her any appreciation, not her husband(s), not her relatives, not her friends. No one had ever given her a gift of even a handkerchief in almost 30 years and here I arrive and despite her coldness to me I still gave her something and that was very special and that accounted for her tears.

She was now rejecting the scarf because she didn’t deserve it. I insisted and finally convinced her to keep it and she grudgingly agreed. And then suddenly, from out of the blue she just dragged me up and gave me a bear hug almost extinguishing me. She then insisted that I must take the 100, 000 and I agreed gratefully.

You know now pretending to be a bigger girl while dying inside to collect it.

To cap it all Aunty Bunmi then did something that shocked me, she went in and brought another 200,000.00 and requested that I take it as an upfront payment for the next supply. I was shocked but my resistance was very feeble and half-hearted. I collected the money and left after profuse thanks. I could barely get out of her sight before touching the money in my bag again and jumping for joy. But I decided to control myself lest fellow pedestrians see ,e as a newly cracked case just escaping from 'Yaba left' and more-so I was wanted to pay it into the bank and receive an alert.

For all I know this could just be a bad dream or a deep seated form of Malaria playing games with me through my very fertile imagination. I did get the alert. It is for real but I was completely overwhelmed.

Aunti Bunmi, the transfigured shrew who had promised never ever to pay upfront and only to pay previous debts when stock was replenished.

Summarily, a very cheap scarf which I bought for 2 dollars per dozen and gave her occasioned a 180 degrees change.

Please note that it really wasn’t the item in question but the gesture.