Street Interview
A 40-year-old man from Ebonyi State in South Eastern part of Nigeria plies his trade in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. He deals on second-hand shoes and exhibits them at Oron-Nwaniba Junction.
Friday Otu, the second-hand dealer is a toast to many customers. Owing to the cheapness of his goods, customers usually swarm around him like bees and this makes happy. Shoes of different make adorn the space he created for himself at the junction. Anytime he lands the place with shoes, some of his kinsmen are around to wash and polish the wares to attract customers.
Married with four children, Otu comes from a polygamous family. “My father married two wives and had seven children. When he died, one of my aunties took me to Cameroun. I stayed with my other siblings, though I was not properly treated. Later, I decided to go back home to fend for myself.
“Last year, a friend invited me to Uyo. I came and surveyed the land and found out that I could do business here. Since then I have settled and have been doing business here. I like the city.”
A member of Greater Grace Church, Ikot Mbonde Itam, he does not have any regret in life. “I love people. No matter what people do to me I forgive people easily. I do not bear grudge against anybody,” he affirms.
Asked what he will do to a trusted friend who betrays him, He answers “I will leave him to God. I cannot revenge.”
On what makes him happy, he answered “Anytime I come back and see my wife and children, it makes me happy.”
Otu who is a first school leaver loves education. “I love education, but my parents were not able to send me to go further.
“However, I am prepared to send any of my children to any level of education in this world. If there is anything beyond university, I will do so for any of my children willing to pursue education,” he indicates.
“I like what I am doing. I go to Aba in Abia State twice in a week to buy goods and bring them to Uyo for sale. I started with one bag, but I have seven bags now.
“Every time I go to Aba, I have to introduce a person or two persons to the business. I have many persons I have so far I introduced.
It is usually said that what small money, much money could do more. Yet, Otu whose name sound like a person from Akwa Ibom or Cross River, says “I do not believe in having much money. I am satisfied with the little God has blessed me with.”
Though Igbo man, he seems not to like much money. It sounds ironical as an Igbo man to despise and be contented with little.
“Will you go for money ritual? He shrugs off quickly. “God forbid! I cannot go for that juju. Instead of doing that, let God take away my life. I want to be plain to myself. If I sell and it is enough to cater for the needs of my family, I am okay. I cannot steal because it is against my conscience,” Otu states.
