Former Banker Turns to Hawking Ponmo After Losing Job During Pandemic

Adekunle Adeloye, a 37-year-old Mathematics and Computer Science graduate from Akure in Ondo State, had it all before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He spent seven years working in the banking sector, but the pandemic changed everything. He was retrenched, leaving him without a job or a steady income.

After applying for numerous jobs, Adeloye found himself at a dead end. His wife, who worked in a bank, was the primary breadwinner, and he felt useless. He hit rock bottom, and depression almost consumed him. But fate had other plans.

One day, while attending an event near his house in Ibadan, Adeloye spotted a woman selling ponmo alata (peppered cow skin). The crowds were massive, and people were buying in large numbers. He noticed the patronage and got intrigued. When he got home, he told his wife about his idea to start selling peppered ponmo.

His wife laughed it off, but Adeloye was determined. He begged her to give him N20,000 to start the business, which she hesitantly agreed to. On the first day, Adeloye didn't know how to prepare the ponmo, so he mixed it with palm oil, tomato paste, and pepper. People said the preparation was not correct, but he managed to make N2,000 in profits.

On the second day, a woman who ran a beer parlour called Adeloye and advised him to use vegetable oil instead of palm oil. She also told him to boil the cow skin thoroughly to remove any chemicals. Adeloye took her advice and started producing better products. Gradually, he increased his profits, making up to N6,000 in some days.

But what made Adeloye's story even more intriguing is that he started wearing his corporate attire while hawking ponmo. He wanted to stand out and make the product more attractive. The strategy worked, and people began to buy from him more. He even landed a relief job at a bank, which he took to supplement his income.

Today, Adeloye is known as the 'Corporate Ponmo Seller,' and his product has become a hit on the streets. He still submits his CV and attends job interviews, but selling ponmo has given him a sense of purpose and confidence.

Adekunle Adeloye's story is a testament to the resilience of Nigerians, especially during difficult times. Despite losing his job, he found a way to adapt and thrive. His success story serves as a reminder that there's always hope, and with determination, one can turn their hardships into opportunities.