Inspite of insurgency: Phoebe, the fish seller thrives in Maiduguri
The spate of insecurity in Borno state is enough to put many youth out of place. Already, reports said thousands of inhabitants are now Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) spreading through Bauchi and other relatively peaceful states in the region.
However in the midst of these, Phoebe Koji, a fishseller in Maiduguri town thrives in her business keeping hope alive that the once peaceful and surging town will still come alive someday. Phoebe, an Igi lady from Michika Local Government in Adamawa state spoke with WEEKEND student reporter recently on her business and how she copes with the many odds.
The Maiduguri town resident noted that the social unrest is also confronting the womenfolk in that area. But in order to fend for herself and support parents whose health is declining as well as dependent siblings, Phoebe took to business long ago. She sells fish with sausage and potatoes (Irish) to customers, mostly passersby whose daily routines take them through the populous road in Maiduguri town whilst bringing fortune the way of this enterprising young lady.
The business, according to Phoebe is a highly challenging one which requires a great deal of patience and perseverance. But with luck, she has been able to turn her challenges (mainly security) into opportunities that have ensured the lucrativeness of a trade she has plied for over a decade now with her siblings joining in the business.
She said the business has fetched her significant gains beside the financial support she gives to her siblings and parents. Phoebe said she has acquired a plot of land upon which she is erecting her house and that is beside her decision to diversify into other business lines she finds profitable, including farming.
Responding to the lucrativeness of her business and her daily sales, Phoebe said: “At peak level, I make close to a hundred and fifty thousand naira daily sales.”
Her customers range from single men and women to couples who patronise her for being a model in smokedfish business. Some of them who spoke with WEEKEND on the spot described Phoebe as a determined entrepreneur.
Alhaji Sani Hussaini, a businessman from Gidan Madara area of Maiduguri said, “She is incomparable as I find her fish very sumptuous and nourishing than any other around the town where fish of that kind is sold.”
Usman Kundili shared similar view when he said: “I can even walk all the way from the University which is almost 3 kilometres away, to buy her fish as it makes my day whenever I go there.”
And for Amina Musa, another instant customer who visited her husband from Niger State to say that she could sacrifice her kitchen for Phoebe’s fish, if not for anything, speaks quite a volume.
Hajiya Asabe, a resident in old GRA said she never spends a weekend without Phoebe’s fish and “will continue to patronise her until God knows when.”
Much as the making of the fish is concerned, Phoebe said she only settles for a normal recipe which includes onions, seasoning cubes, salt, pepper, curry and flavour.
And having expanded her business horizons, she’s been able to empower more than eight of her apprentices with enough money to stand on their own – isn’t that inspiring!
From a Student Reporter: Al-Sa’ad Maikudi Al-mustapha who is in 400 level, Mass Communication at the University of Maiduguri.