Iya Jolo, popular in the school market that one could hardly amble around it without hearing her name. Curiosity will most likely pull at one at how massively she has grown over the years to be on the lips of almost every Mapaite. If one then takes a stop-over at her restaurant, a testament to her popularity is certain to beam at one. How did she grow to her famous status? For how many years has she been in the school? What has been the challenges she has had to face? She reveals all that and more in this exclusive interview with Emmanuel Precious of Press Club MAPOLY.
Excerpt:
How did you start this business?
When I first arrived in this school, snacks and zobo was what I was selling. A particular department told me to sell food like ‘swallow’. I didn’t make much because I do bring them from home. Any food I brought in around 8am, before 8:30 it would have finished. Then, the only thing that could make me stay late in the school market before going home was whenever I decided to tidy up the floor, picking sachet water nylon. By 4pm, I would still be on campus, waiting for a bus that will convey me home.
How long have you been on this campus?
I’ve been here for about 17 years; when meats were sold for ₦10. It was during my time it got changed to ₦20.
Why did you choose campus?
The reason I chose to sell food on campus is because of how students rush it. Off-campus sales also has its advantages. For instance, when there is holiday, one can continue selling, but the problem these days are the things happening like during the lockdown period: I was at home. The reason I chose the school is because of its opportunities as it reduces external problems.
What are the challenges you’ve had to face?
May God have mercy! What I’ve come across in this school is that, sometimes, my food remains. There was a day I cooked Moi-Moi. I later gave it to people for free because if left till the next day, it would spoil. So there are lots of challenges in this business. Sometimes we would think that a lot of people are going to come to campus, I would have prepared food not knowing that there is an incoming strike that will take place. Sometimes also we would just see students leaving school and when we ask them, they’ll tell us that lectures didn’t hold and they had to leave. If the food for that day was much, it’ll waste. A lot of challenges. If one does not have endurance, such person can’t sell to students. During lockdown as well, we were told not to come to school but I came anyway and saw nobody. I didn’t have any space off campus but people who knew I sell food bought from me.
How would you rate selling on campus and off-campus?
On campus, it is not every time we make sales. I’m a kind of person who is fearful. If a problem happens off-campus, some can face it but I can’t because I fear a lot. So I decided to manage the campus life and tolerate all the challenges.
What distinguishes you from other food vendors?
It is my food. My food makes me different. Before food got expensive as it is now, I had sold Jollof and Fried Rice of ₦40 together and a piece meat for ₦10, and I made sales very well.
What is that thing you wish should be corrected in the school market?
I just want the environment to be clean. I don’t like dirt laying around. Someone was surprised seeing me washing my tomatoes and pepper by myself one day, and the reason I do that is because I like my things being clean.
Students are being said to be a bunch of stubborn and difficult people, how has your experience with students been?
I’ve been able to cope with the mindset that we all are from different homes and as such, our backgrounds differ. I have a patient spirit.I would talk only if I want to. I’ve been in a situation whereby a student claimed she gave me ₦1000 when she hadn’t paid at all. I’ve also come across very rude set of people. So many challenges but I’ve been able to cope with patience.
What would be your advice to students reading you?
You should act accordingly to the home you came from, have perseverance s0 you could be able to tolerate people. There was a day a security man beat me up because my son came in without a plate number attached to his car. I know not everyone likes me while some do. I was invited to the big admin and when writing statement, someone told me to stop. I was glad I didn’t cause chaos or fight back that day with the security. If I had, I might not still be here. Emulate good attitudes of your parent.
What would you be your advice to potential food or market vendors coming into the school?
To be successful,they need to be patient,be able to tolerate people and most importantly have perseverance.