Low patronage killing kolanut biz in Kaduna

we have lost 90 percent of our customers,” he concluded.

Another trader, Malam Hassan Na Marocco said “The kolanuts is now very expensive compared to years back.

“In those days when I bought N50 kolanuts and it was much and could not be finished at a go. But today a piece of kola costs N100 and you can chew it in less than 10 minutes.’’

Another trader, Malam Aminu at the Central market in Kaduna recalls how kola nuts merchants used to be the wealthiest among traders in the north.

“They were the king of the markets, they were the millionaires in those days. Before you even offload, the wholesalers and retailers are at your neck. You have already sold your stuff even before you off load,’’he said

Our correspondents who went round the metropolis for days could only see few people hawking the commodity and many of them said they sold kolanut along with other items.

“I sell it because those that smoke cigarettes usually ask for it, but it is not something I will concentrate on, it’s a kobo kobo business,” said .

A cross section of youngsters told our correspondents that they considered chewing of kolanut as old fashioned

“It’s my father and mother that used to chew it, I don’t like it because I’m not old,” said one of them who gave his name as Kabiru.