Following the rising spate of violence in the
Ikorodu Area of Lagos State and the call by community leaders on residents to
procure whistles as alert technique during
danger, there has been an upsurge in
the demand for the device in the area.
The development has compelled many
households in Ikorodu to own whistles, thereby creating an upsurge in the cost
of the device from its usual N100 cost price to N200 or even N250, in some
neighbourhoods.
Vanguard reported that Interviews with some traders in Ikorodu
markets revealed that the call on residents to acquire whistles as a strategy
against alleged cult killings in the area has created a new source of
livelihood for petty traders and hawkers in the area. Mrs. Tifase Abiola, a
caterer, who usually prepares snacks, said she was left her snacks business to
join that of whistle selling, saying she makes more sales from the whistle
business as against her original catering business.
“I was initially selling snacks, but when I
saw that some traders were making swift sales from hawking whistles, I decided
to join them.
“I investigated where they sourced whistles wholesale and I
swiftly joined them.
I now hawk whistles in my neighbourhood,’’ she said. Also
speaking, another trader, Deji Onigunye, who said he hitherto sold sports items
such as football, boots and jerseys, but that the demand for whistles in his
shop attracted him to the business. “Whistles are not items we sell everyday,
but in the last two weeks, the demand for the item around here has compelled me
to invest in the business.’’
Another trader, Mrs. Funke Oniroayo, a widow, who
was known for selling brooms in the market, said she now made better sales in
her new line of business. “This whistle business has helped me to settle most
of my debts and to also feed my fatherless children. “Many people buy as many
as three or four at once, and almost everyone that comes around is interested
in buying them.’’ She expressed delight that the business had increased her
patronage and popularity at the market. Mr. Muhammed Mutiu, a dealer in books,
who suddenly switched to the whistle business, said he has been making brisk
sales.
“Initially, I was selling books on wholesale, but when I discovered that
a lot of hawkers in the market were going to Tom Jones market in Lagos Island
to buy whistles, I decided to join them. “I went to the market, bought in
wholesale and to my surprise, it has been very rewarding as people from the
Ikorodu hinterlands also now come to the market to buy in bulk,’’ he said.
Some
Community Development Association (CDA) officials in Ikorodu have sensitised residents
of the area on the need to have whistles, especially at night, to enable them
to be able to alert their neighbours of any unusual developments.
0 Comments