Sallah periods used to be the time when Mumini Salawu made more money by going to slaughter and cut up the Ileya ram for people before coming home to spend time with his family. Though a Muslim himself, he still rendered butchery services every other sallah.
Salawu had been in the butchery business for about 30 years so it was easy for him to butcher many rams within a short period of time and head home to enjoy the festivities with his family.
However, things took a different turn for him some years ago when he almost lost his life and his son’s through an accident when they were heading to butcher one of his client’s rams.
“I do go out to butcher people’s rams on Sallah mornings. We used to butcher one in my family too but things became difficult and we couldn’t afford it anymore so I decided to work to make some money instead of just staying at home.
“On this particular Sallah, we were out as usual with my son in the morning. We were heading to one of my regular client’s house to butcher his ram. On our way, we had an accident which was very critical but we thank God for the gift of life. Ever since that incident happened, I promise not to work for anyone on Sallah day again but sit back at home and celebrate with my family,” he told Saturday Tribune in an interview during the week.
Though he had been in the business for about 30 years, he says he still collects meat from his supplier on credit and makes payment at the close of business he revealed.
“I started this meat business about 30 years ago, I would collect the meat on credit from someone and sell and at the end of the day, I pay back. That’s how I have been doing for years. And that is how I make money to feed myself and family.
“I have been struggling to make ends meet through this business, my first child just finished secondary school and due to my inability to raise funds enough to further her education, she started a vocational training at a salon.
“The two other children are still in secondary school. One is with me and one has returned to her mother who is my first wife in Ijebu. We are separated, we quarreled too often and we later went our ways after which I married another young lady in Ibadan,” he added.
He said the challenges of life had hindered him from flourishing in the business.
“I have faced many challenges in this business which puts a lot of pressure on me. There are people I owe money and my inability to repay on time has affected my business a lot.
“For example, I used to go directly to Amosun, the abattoir to get meat but I don’t go there anymore because I owe some people. I only depend on my supplier to get meat. I see him as God sent.
“Even though I owe him money too, I see what he is doing for me as an act of worship to God through me because of the assistance rendered to me. He gives me meat on credit and after I finish selling it, I pay him. He has done so much for me that I cannot mention; I just give thanks to God.”
Salawu said he couldn’t continue his education “due to the situation of things” in his family as they could barely feed back then.
“I had to drop out of school when I was in secondary school due to the situation of things in my family at that time. We could barely feed, my parent had nothing and there was no money to sponsor my education further.
“So, when I dropped out of school, I went to learn the butchering business at New Garage, Ibadan. My father was also a butcher but he stopped and that was how things became difficult for us. After years learning the business, I was certified by my then boss and did freedom for me. That was how I started the business on my own,” he told Saturday Tribune.
Though under so much pressure, Salawu is hopeful that things would get better for him and he would expand his business.
“With Sallah fast approaching, the price of meat in the market has gone up which is expected. In fact, our business will be affected a little bit because people will be traveling for the festivity and those are our customers but everything will return to normal after the Sallah.
“And I hope that the situation in the country changes for better in the coming days, so that I can settle my debt and have peace of mind and also invest heavily in my business so it can grow bigger.”
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