Janet Olubunmi Okeowuo: Vibrant Business Woman
Friday 3rd November 2006

Janet Olubunmi, a young and hard working Nigerian whose orientation and drive in business is focused on God and entrusts everything to Him. She is popular within her business area. Selling in the centre of Serrekunda market just under the lamp pole is this vibrant Nigerian lady. She tells us about her life and booming business. She also revealed to us the secret behind her hard work and tenacity, her dealings with her clients. She sells in wholesale and retail market.

She She She: Please tell me what you would want others to know about you.
Janet: I was born about thirty years ago to Mr. and Mrs. Okeowuo. We come from Ibokun Ijasha, Ogun State, Nigeria. I have three sisters and two brothers. I attended the Anglican Primary and Secondary schools and the Ogun State Polytechnic. My parents are big time business people. They live in Ibadan where they own their business. I grew up in my family and we had no problem. In fact my father is deacon and my mother a deaconess in Christ Apostolic Church. We are all devoted Christians and we are advised to go with Christ anywhere we go. My family was prayerful. I lived in a very Christian village with all tribes living together. It was a good area with no bad influence.

She She She: Why did you come to The Gambia?
Janet: I just came to The Gambia to change environment to learn more about Africa. I have known the differences between Nigeria and The Gambia with other African countries and now I know Gambia is great. Because they accept people from all over the world.

She She She: How did you come to The Gambia?
Janet: I came by road. I wanted to know Africa more, and it was an exciting experience. It was enriching with all its challenges from border to border.

She She She: When did you come to The Gambia?
Janet: I arrived here in December 2004.

She She She: Do you enjoy living in The Gambia?
Janet: Oh yes! I have no problem because I am working hard; I fend happily for myself. I am also very much appreciated by the people around me, which is important, and they like me too.

She She She: What work do you do?
Janet: I am doing business. I sell right in the centre of Serrekunda Market under the light pole; there are two shops before and after me.

She she she: What do you sell?
Janet: I sell a lot of foodstuffs, foodstuff of any type. Nigerian rice, Ogbolos, yam flower, gari, gray fish, salt, curry powder, pepper, yam (coming next week), Lubbie from Sierra Leone, I have good palm oil and from Bissau and Conakry. From the Gambia, I sell lots and lots of food items that one needs for the family, They are all at affordable prices.

She She She: Has it been easy selling among strange people?
Janet: It has been easy with the Gambians and they have appreciated me like their own sister or daughter. In fact they interpret for me if my customers cannot understand me or I do not understand them. I live with them. They even share their food with me. They are very helpful. With my Nigerian people in the market … anyway they are all my friends.

She She She: Any challenges?
Janet: Man has to face many challenges but when you pray you conquer- I always pray and I conquer.

She She She: If you are to thank any four people in The Gambia who would they be?
Janet : They are many but will mention the few you have limited me to. They will be The President of The Gambia for accepting us in his country. Dr Emmanuel Bamigbelu, Mr. and Mrs. Emma Ciuks, Mr. and Mrs. Chima and Pastor and Mrs. Daffe. I thank them for their love, concern, care and advice and for standing by my side.

She she she: What do you want to thank God for?
Janet: For my life and the starting capital he provided for me.

She she she: Any message to your customers?
Janet: I greet all of them and I wish them all the best at Koriteh. May God provide for them to come and patronize me more.

She she she: Anything we have left out?
Janet: Yes I do supply items to customers to be paid for later. There is a lot of concession if you take more items.

She she she: You are too kind with your time.
Janet: I thank you too for your effort.