Charcoal business is seen as dirty. On the face value, it is so. Many dread it except those using it for traditional smoking of fish, meat or food items.
Yet, Miss Kate Ogechuckwu, a beautiful graduate of Ebonyi State University sees and embraces charcoal as vital means of livelihood. And this conviction has turned her to an internet sensation.
Ogechuckwu who is treading this business path dreaded by many young ladies of her calibre has won the admiration of many on the social media.
Unlike her colleagues, Ogechuckwu, a graduate of the Department of History and International Relations in the university has not waited for illusive white collar job.
On her Facebook page, she has not armed herself with certificates moving from one employer of labour to another for a job but she has chosen to toe self-reliant path by creating a job for herself.
The charcoal dealer took to her Facebook on the benefits of new-found love.
“Hi. For those who told me they want to venture into charcoal business… Oya Are you prepared?
“Are you ready to look like this (very dirty) during business hours? Are you ready for the dust?
“I mean inhaling it (you can use face mask if you feel comfortable in it) ? Are you ready for the stress?
“Are you ready for the money? This is not a business for slay mamas and papas oooo. It’s for the determined and serious minded people.
“Well, if you are ready then I have good news for you… Do not worry about skin damage cos reverse is the case when it comes to charcoal.
“Charcoal has numerous skin and health benefits such as blackhead fighting, deep cleansing, purifies complexion, balances oily skin, it gently exfoliates, etc.
“You can read it up on Google for more inquiries.
“Haven’t you wondered why I look so dirty and black during business hours and very beautiful after that”
Sometime in 2016, the internet went frenzy after Ogechukwu, then an undergraduate, posted pictures of her cultivating cassava and making garri on Facebook.
Many had wondered why a young and beautiful undergraduate would engage in such ‘dirty business’, while some praised her for her courage and hard work.
“I was lacking garri and I couldn’t afford to buy in the market. I called my mum to know if we had a cassava farm that is due for harvest in the village but she said no. I complained to my best friend who told me that her mother’s cassava was due and that if I had the strength, I could come and harvest it to make my garri. I said yes because I couldn’t afford to waste the money I didn’t have when I am fit.
“That was how I followed her to her village and made garri for my next academic session. Though it was stressful but I found farming interesting and a lucrative business capable of turning a whole country around,” she had explained.
