By Amina Ahmed
A 35-year-old holder of National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Bauchi State has abandoned her teaching profession to sell chillies and other vegetables at Muda Lawal Market.
Ms Aina’u Musa (not real name), a divorcee and mother of five, said poor remuneration has forced many, including her to abandon their career to pick petty trading.
Speaking at the market on Tuesday in Bauchi, she explained that her monthly salary as a teacher in a private school was less than N20,000.
She described the amount as insufficient to provide food, clothing, healthcare and other necessities of life for her family.
“My former husband divorced me after I gave birth to five children; four pretty girls and a young boy.
“One of the reasons my ex-husband gave was that most of the children were girls, therefore, he cannot continue with the marriage any longer,” she said.
Musa said the situation left her with the sole responsibility of raising the children, forcing her to look for a more sustainable source of income.
According to her, she ventured into the chilli and vegetable business at Muda Lawal Market about three years ago.
“I collect bags of chillies on credit from suppliers and repay them after market hours and of course, this is paying.
“The business now enables me to make compulsory daily savings of between N2,000 and N3,000,” she narrated.
The trader noted that the venture had significantly improved her ability to cater for her children.
“Since I started this business, I have never defaulted in paying my children’s school fees or begged anyone for support,” she said.
Musa, however, appealed to government and relevant stakeholders to improve teachers’ welfare to curb exodus of professionals.
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