During the summer of 2010 (although in Nigeria it was the rainy season), a friend of mine named Chike received a car gift from his brother who lived abroad. I still vividly recall how excited Chike was when he broke the news to me at my Mum's grocery store. I also got caught up in the euphoria of the moment and congratulated him on becoming a car owner.
The car brand Chike received from his brother
I was extremely happy for Chike upon the arrival of his car because it would enable him to conveniently deliver the products he sells to his customers, both within and beyond our state of residence. Before receiving his car, Chike had been unable to fulfill some of the orders he received from his customers due to logistical constraints. At the time, he had secured a licence to distribute a new brand of AAAA Alkaline batteries in the Nigerian electronics market. Chike works as a trader.
Alkaline batteries were the type of batteries Chike distributed
As a distributor of the new brand of batteries, Chike engaged in preliminary activities such as advertising and marketing to promote the brand to Nigerian consumers. This approach yielded the desired result, as the batteries were well-received by consumers after their official launch in the market. However, the success of the batteries presented Chike with a new challenge - how to meet the increasing orders from his customers. He found himself overwhelmed by the number of orders he received, as he was delivering them to customers single-handedly and on a limited budget. As a result, he had to cancel some of these orders.
Chike's car became an integral part of his business
To overcome this challenge, Chike sought the assistance of his brother who lived in Europe, and that's how he acquired the car. Chike's new car turned out to be a crucial asset for his business, allowing him to meet the demands of more customers. It made his deliveries of the batteries more efficient and extensive than before, significantly contributing to the growth of his business.
Several months after utilising his car for battery deliveries, Chike asked me to accompany him to a mechanic workshop at the popular Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market in Mushin to service his car. I gladly accepted his request, as I was fascinated to visit this market well-known for the sale of second-hand automobile spare parts and repairs.
On the scheduled day, we set out for the mechanic's workshop and arrived at noon. I was taken aback by the vibrant atmosphere of the Ladipo Market as I watched from the workshop. The market was a bustling cluster of shops and traders, with non-stop activity. Almost every task in the market seemed to be carried out urgently, and I observed with keen interest. I was amazed by the fast pace at which everyone worked.
A restaurant similar to the one where Chike and I had our meal
Later, after Chike concluded his car servicing discussions with the mechanic, we went to a renowned restaurant in the market that Chike highly recommended. Although I had never been there before, his praise piqued my curiosity about their food. Upon arrival, I discovered that the restaurant served only local cuisines and delicacies. I decided to order a special dish called "Ofe Owerri (Owerri Soup) and Fufu," and I savoured every bite. Chike's high rating of the restaurant was justified - the food and service were both exquisite and exceptional. I was thoroughly impressed.
The delicacy I had at the restaurant
After our meal, we returned to the mechanic's workshop to retrieve Chike's car. Once the car servicing was completed, we began our journey back home. As we drove home, our favourite songs played on the radio, and our emotions ran wild as we swayed and sang along. We continued this joyful activity all the way home. Chike dropped me off at my house and thanked me for my company as we bid each other farewell. That night, as I went to bed, I couldn't help but reflect on the novel experiences of the day, especially the delicacy I relished at the restaurant. The whole experience was a memorable one.
The End.
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