Yesterday evening, I exchanged greetings with two middle aged women trading in “akara and eko” and “puff-puff” (locally fried dough) with their children under a wooden shed in my constituency.
As I trekked back some minutes later, I informed the people around me that I want to buy “akara and eko”. One of them laughed and said, but you don’t eat “eko”? I said, I just want to encourage the woman and support her micro business with our patronage.
We went back and paid for all the Akara and puff-puff with some loads of eko. We asked for benches and I had a great time discussing with the petty traders. Before we left, the women had started sweeping their shed and getting set to close for the day. All our purchases were below ten thousand naira, but the joy on the faces of the women and their children was immeasurable. They were both surprised and visibly elated. Their customer service was excellent and I was so impressed.
The entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women is very strong and women are resilient and resourceful economic agents. Evidence shows that women’s full participation in the economy drives better performing and more resilient businesses and supports economic growth and wider development goals for nations.
Patronise a micro/small business today and help secure homegrown businesses and provide income for their households.
‘Tunde Lekan Olatunji
Office of the Chief Whip
Osun State House of Assembly
Teacher | Economic & Financial Expert | Legislator
www.tundeolatunji.com
