Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Mrs. Ada Ikenna, from Ndume Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, is a mother of four.
The middle-aged widow has been catering for the family with proceeds from roasted plantain, yam and boiled beans, a business she has operated in the past six years.
Roasted plantain with options of beans or yam with fresh palm oil, pepper and utazi leaves have become a highly-sought after delicacy in many cities in the South-East.
She has her little shop in front of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Press Centre, No 1 Aba Road, Umuahia.
Speaking with Ikengaonline in an exclusive interview, the mother of four said that she was fulfilled running the business.
According to her, she has been in the business for at least six years, and is very happy doing it.
She said that although she was not making profits in millions of Naira, since the demise of her husband two years ago, she had been taking care of the family with her earnings from the business.
The young widow who said two of her children were already in the Secondary School courtesy of proceeds of the business, however, identified increasing cost of charcoal as her major challenge.
She equally said that the rising cost of plantain and beans as well as yam, pepper and oil had begun to affect her daily earnings.
The mother of four pleaded with Government to help bring down the cost of transportation which she noted was also affecting the business as they source most of their goods and condiments in the rural communities.
Roasted plantain with options of beans or yam with fresh palm oil, pepper and utazi leaves have become a highly-sought after delicacy in many cities in South-East.
It is cheaper than most of other foods served in restaurants.
An average plate of roasted plantain and beans with iced fish goes for N500 but without-fish can go for N300.
Many low income earners patronise the dealers but some high income earners also enjoy it as their preferred choice because of the nutritional value, and more so because it’s usually devoid of artificial condiments.
