By Ayobami Oluwayanmife
Ikejabird recently interviewed an inspiring woman who sells a variety of delicious meals. But this petty food vendor isn’t just any seller; she’s a hero to her entire family.
I wake up by 3 am and leave by 10 pm
Mrs Akinbode is a mother of four and also a cook. She first started by hawking her food and selling mostly to brick layers near a university. But later she settled at a particular spot and sold to the students of the university.
As we speak she reveals that she wakes up as early as 3 in the morning, to prepare her children for school, then starts cooking food for her customers. For breakfast she makes rice, beans, spaghetti, macaroni and yam, and in the evening, around 6 pm she starts making meals like amala, fufu, Eba and others.
“I leave this place by 10 pm so that I can follow one of the security man home on his okada.”
All my Children are Going to School
Mrs Akinbode has four children, her eldest, a 12-year-old boy, is already in JSS1. Her second child, a 9-year-old, is in primary 5. Her third child, a 6-year-old, is in primary 2. And her youngest, a bright 4-year-old, just started school in nursery 1 .
Understanding the power of education, Mrs. Akinbode is committed to ensuring her children receive a good education. “If I go school, I for dey get more money than wetin I dey ge now” she says.
She is The Breadwinner
While her husband contributes occasionally, his job as a school gatekeeper doesn’t provide much financial security. As a result, Mrs. Akinbode is the family’s primary breadwinner.
They Kicked us out of the House
Mrs. Akinbode also revealed a period of hardship. They lost their home and had to live with her sister-in-law for nearly a year. Thankfully, they were recently able to find a new place, albeit a one-room apartment.
Her Children Love her
The love between Mrs. Akinbode and her children is truly heartwarming. IkejaBird spoke with them as well, and despite their young age, they understand the immense contribution their mother makes.
They see her as their hero, who takes care of everything. After school, they even help out at her food spot.
Customers Love Her Food
We spoke with some of her customers, and they explained that they love her food. They also spoke about how nice she is and how she talks to them.
Some have been buying food from her for about a year because her food is always so good.
Conclusion
In a society that often glorifies exceptional things, this woman’s story shows us that real bravery is found in everyday life.
With her strong commitment, resilience, and endless love for her family, she has become a symbol of hope, embodying the inner strength present in every woman.
Her journey highlights the importance of persistence, teaching us that even when faced with challenges, people can overcome them and achieve remarkable things.
