He’s a cobbler plying his trade in front of the University of Uyo, Town Campus, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Over time, he began to make shoes and other footwear, too. By these, constantly under his tattered umbrella, he ekes a living for himself and two daughters he got out of wedlock. This is the world of Gregory Iniobong Okon whom our correspondent met in Uyo during the week.
“My name is Okon Iniobong Gregory; I’m from Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
“I was born in 1972 and I started this shoe sewing trade some 20 years ago. I learnt cobbling under one Mr. Emeka in Aba, Abia State.
“I didn’t finish primary school because there was no money. I am the second to the last child of 10 children.
“I couldn’t finish the trade because I lost my mother during that time and after her burial, I couldn’t return to Aba to continue because of lack of funds,” he narrated.
The 51-year-old bachelor and father-of-two said he was yet to marry because he hasn’t seen a lady with good character. As far as he understands, that a woman is good to have sex with is not equal to being fit for marriage. Wonder how he’d have two kids from one woman and still claims to be single at over 50 years old!
“I am a bachelor but I have two children – two girls aged 10 and nine, respectively.
“I have not seen a woman with good character. I would have married the mother of my children, but she lacks good character so I couldn’t “wife” her.
“I stay alone with my two children in a single room apartment at Ikpa road. My first girl is in Junior Secondary School (JSS 1),” he further averred.
How does Okon cope with two female kids in the current hardship buffeting Nigerians, especially the poor? He responded thus: “It is this shoe making business that I am using to take care of them, feed and pay their school fees.”
“I am doing this trade not because I like it, but because I can’t steal or beg so I’d rather do this. As long as it is taking care of my needs, I don’t have a problem.
“I have siblings, but everyone is on their own doing their own thing. Nobody gives a damn about anybody.”
He further explained how much he makes daily to cater for his needs as well as who should be blamed for his predicament and that of Nigeria.
Rather than blame the government of the day for the situation in Nigeria, Okon insisted that Nigerians (especially traders) are unloving and cruel to themselves.
“If school (University of Uyo) is in session, I make up to N2,500 daily, but when school is not in session as we have now, I can hardly make up to N1, 000. Na God dey help me survive with my children.
“I don’t blame anybody for the situation in the country. I don’t blame the government either. The thing is we are wicked to ourselves in this country.
“The country is hard but market women and men are making it harder.
“Why are they selling a basket of garri for N2,500 when we are producing it here in this very state? Is fuel affecting the soil that we are using to plant cassava? No, then why?”
If help would come his way, how would he want it to be and in what area? Okon was quick to answer: “My immediate pressing need is my house rent. My rent will soon expire, I pay N24,000 per year.
“Though I’m making money when school is in session, it is difficult to save money because of the incessant increment in the price of foodstuffs and other necessities.
“I have two girls at home that I am taking care of by myself. So things are very hard.
“If there is anything I want help with, it is to have a shoe making shop where I can be producing shoes.
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