‘MY HND IN BANKING ASSISTED ME TO EXCEL IN SELLING MOI MOI’

All over the country, Nigerian women are showing they have the potential to be whatever they choose to be, and refuse to be left in condition of dependence either on their husbands or a burden on society.

They want to support their family, they want jobs that won't interfere with keeping the

home. 
Our reporter caught up with Mrs. Olabimpe Amodu who, after several attempts at securing a white collar job proved abortive, settled down to the sale of agidi (pap) and moi moi at Kuje. 
She said: I studied Home Economics, Catering and Hotel Management and I also have HND in Banking and Finance. Her response to questions from this reporter went thus:
What motivated you into the pap and moi moi business?
After I had secured my HND, I sent several applications to different parastatals, but could not secure a    job. You and I know the ever growing problem of unemployment in the country. I had to find something doing, I couldn't just sit at home, because I didn't want to be a liability to my husband and society.
When did you start the business and with how much capital? 
I started last year, precisely Match 2012. It's a little over a year now. I started with just 10,000. That was what I could afford at the time.
Have you been able to access loan from any financial institution?
I did try but I could not secure loan because I am not recognized by the authorities, and since government could not assist me, I had to assist myself.
How about applying for the YouWin programme as an entrepreneur?
No I didn't, I never hear of it.
What is your average sale per day?
It ranges, so I wouldn't want to disclose that, but it is a lucrative business. It is lucrative enough for me to have two workers that I engage and pay.
Why do you come out in the evenings?
I process the beans and the corn starch in the morning, and I get more customers in the evening as it is the time most people come back from work.
Who are your target customers? 
I have no target customers because the agidi and   are very affordable for everybody. It ranges from N50 to N100.
What challenges do you face in this business?
I cannot really say I face any challenge I cannot handle as I have two employees who help me in the processing.
Can you describe to us how you prepare agidi?
First of all you get all your ingredients ready which include the corn starch (akamu), the broad agidi leaves, vegetable oil, and little salt.
Mix the corn starch with cold water, boil water with salt and drops of vegetable oil, then you gradually pour the cold akamu in the pot of boiling water while stirring fast to prevent it from getting into lumps.
When it becomes a thick paste, you then check for its thickness, if it is too thick you add little water. You then rub vegetable oil on the washed leaves to prevent it from sticking to the leaves, pour the thick pap into the leaves and wrap properly. Finally allow to cool and harden . It can be served with any kind of soup.