…whether it’s roasting corn, selling akara, making kulikuli, or starting any honest business, it can change your story… There is dignity in labour… There is honour in starting small… Never despise humble beginnings. The businesses we often look down on have lifted countless families out of poverty and can still do the same today…
We shouldn’t play politics with everything… Please, let’s change our mindset… May Nigeria Succeed
WHEN my mum, Iya Jelili, lost her teaching job around 1985/1986, our lives changed overnight.
Every day, we travelled from Iwaya Yaba, to Festac Town, where she got a small space to roast and sell corn on 21 Road, Festac. The area was still developing then, with many new buildings coming up.
Eventually, the property owner asked us to leave because reconstruction was about to begin. The corn business ended there, but survival meant we had to keep moving.
We relocated to Orile-Iganmu, where, through the kindness of a Good Samaritan, my mum got another small space to cook yam porridge. I hawked sachet water at Orile Bus Stop, while my immediate elder brother worked as a casual labourer on building sites, carrying bricks for little pay. We were all still very young. We were Not up 18yrs old in age.
Fast forward to 2000 and 2001. While I was a student at the University of Lagos, I attended the Lagos Polo Tournament—not as a guest, but as a vendor. I paid for a space to sell meat pies, grilled fish, and shawarma under ‘Eniola Catering’ .
The wealthy members of the club were not my customers. My customers were the domestic staff, horse handlers, and other workers at the event. Some days I sold well; other days I made losses. Lol!
But I was never discouraged. I remained determined because I believed my story would change.
While at UNILAG, I combined being a staff member with being a student. After I lost my job in Unilag, I started selling chain necklaces and earrings to my fellow students, moving from one hall of residence to another.
After graduating from UNILAG, during my NYSC in Sokoto State (2003/2004), I sold drinks and water in camp to support my health and upkeep. ( with my big blue cooler -Picture attached)
That same period, I learnt bead making.
My mum, Iya Jelili, gave me ₦10,000 as seed capital to start my bead business.
From bead making, I expanded into gemstones, developed an interest in gemstone mining, and began sourcing gemstones globally.
The proceeds from that business enabled me to establish Okuta Iyebiye Gemstones Resources formely Styles By Saennys over 2 Decades now , later Niola Cancer Care Foundation 12yrs ago and Saenyscleaningltd
Today, I am an employer of labour.
Since graduating from UNILAG in 2003, I have never submitted a CV looking for a job.
I remember when I started making beads and jewellery, some people laughed at me. They thought I was unserious. They couldn’t understand why a fresh graduate from a prestigious university like UNILAG would choose bead making (ileke sisin) instead of chasing a white-collar job.
But today, I smile.
That little bead business became the foundation for everything I have built. What many people looked down on became the vehicle that transformed my life.
Frying akara for fellow corpers.. kini big deal in frying Akara, roasting corn and selling kulikuli
This is my journey from the humblest background.
Interestingly, some wonderful friends I met during those Lagos Polo Club days still know me.
Today, we meet at conferences, social events, and other gatherings. They don’t see me as “the meat pie girl.” I’ll tag some of them to this post. Mr Femi Young,Mr Wole Sanyaolu Mr Gbolahan Sanyaolu, Lanre Nzeribe etc. (Attached is my picture selling meat pies at Lagos Polo Club.) My cheerleaders & fans who comes to support me my mum, Franca Baye-ijaoba , Mojisola lawal, Yinka Pat Matthew .. e don tey no be today
And yes, I even have my favourite akara plug, Chibuzor in Mende, Maryland. Anyone who lives around Mende probably knows him. Whenever I don’t feel like making akara at home, I buy over ₦5,000 worth, freeze it, and simply warm it up whenever I want to enjoy it with pap. Abimbola Adekoya Is a customer too
So, whether it’s roasting corn, selling akara, making kulikuli, or starting any honest business, it can change your story.
There is dignity in labour.
There is honour in starting small.
Never despise humble beginnings. The businesses we often look down on have lifted countless families out of poverty and can still do the same today.
The 3rd picture at the camp my platoon frying akara for fellow corpers.. kini big deal in frying Akara , roasting corn and selling kulikuli
We shouldnt play politics with everything.
Please, let’s change our mindset.
May Nigeria Succeed
- https://web.facebook.com/eniola.saluakintunde
