I love meeting hardworking Nigerians, especially if that also corresponds with shattering stereotypes.
I normally maintain my 5KM daily early morning power walk wherever I find myself in the world (currently averaging 10 minutes per kilometer).
So, whenever I am in Kaduna, I maintain a certain route in my neighborhood.
I have been noticing a modestly dressed, apparently Muslim lady driving the normal KEKE NAPEP, and stopping at certain points, obviously making deliveries.
I made efforts to catch with her to find out ‘what-a-gwan?’ but she kept on zooming off before my arrival.
I was lucky to catch up with her recently.
I approached her and introduced myself as the Hustler General of the Federation (HGF), that my self-appointed mandate gave me the power to interview hardworking Nigerians, and if she approves, to share her story for inspirational purposes. She just laughed and gave the go-ahead….
So meet Asiya Ibrahim (upon hearing my name, she became relaxed and said I bear her father’s name)
She is 21 years old, unmarried, and spoke very good English.
She confessed that she could not continue her education after secondary school due to financial reasons.
She told me her mother is a businesswoman who started the ice business.
Her mother’s hard work inspired her to step into the ice business to take it to the next level.
She has the intention of furthering her education but now she has to work hard to help her parents support her younger siblings with the proceeds of the ice business.
Not bad for a 21year old.
I was mightily impressed.
Asiya delivers ice blocks packed in sacks in her old KEKE NAPEP around Kaduna.
Her coverage area span around the Eye Center-Mando Roundabout-Kawo-Malali, to the Unguwar Rimi-Unguwar Sarki axis.
She wakes up early so that the ice does not melt (as she has no storage except her sacks), and delivers as fast as possible before her customers buy from other sources.
Asiya averagely does about N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) daily and works 7 days a week.
5k x 7days x 4 weeks = N140,000.00 monthly turn over.
She has challenges, of course as all businesses do.
Sometimes her old KEKE spoils and knocks hours and days off her ‘runs’.
She dreams of having a new KEKE (the type constructed as a wagon so she can carry more ice or even an insulated tricycle wagon), to expand her coverage by employing someone to cover more areas.
Asiya has never attended any entrepreneurship training and was excited when I mentioned I could ask around to link her up with such opportunities.
She was elated when I also said maybe by publishing her story, we could even get her mentors, and sponsors to help out with her dream of getting a new wagon constructed KEKE NAPEP.
I saw her shed some tears when she thanked me and said all she wants is to help her parents to take care of her younger siblings, so she could further her education.
She zoomed off to make her deliveries, and I shed some tears too.
Asiya inspired me. I told my daugters about her.
So share her story..
(Get in touch with me if you are interested in helping Asiya achieve her dreams)
Ahmadu is a tech entrepreneur, Co-Founder Livestock247.com and Founder RiceAfrica.com
