In the place where I work, every six months, thereabouts, a new caterer is contracted to run our canteen. About two months ago, the woman there now took over. To my surprise, during her first week with us, when I ordered a meal of poundo yam and egusi soup, and asked for my bill, I was given an amount that was less than what I had expected. I said, “Madam, didn’t you add the soup?!” And, she answered, “No sir. We only sell special soups (like Afang, Edikaikong, Banga, etc.), and not this one.” Wawoooo!
That was the first time, in my two years of eating in that canteen, spanning the eras of some four different caterers, that I was encountering a non-soup seller! I was so impressed with her that I said a PRAYER for her, and her business, in my heart, as I settled down to eat the food.
Unconsciously, I pray for her every time I go in there to eat. Her business model is still the same two months after, and I’m sure she’ll do more ‘terms’ than her predecessors, because her food is good, and the staff members really like her. Few caterers have done more than a term in that canteen.
Much more than bad governance, self-centeredness and greed have become the major challenges plaguing Nigeria, and all Africa, collectively. That’s why our leaders are what they are.
I have always considered it WRONG for food vendors to be selling soup to those who buy wraps of eba, amala, semo, or poundo, etc., to eat in their restaurants or canteen. It is WRONG! WRONG!! WRONG!!!
In the beginning it was not so! I denounced it in one of my write-ups, about 2 years ago. You can say that the economy has necessitated measures like that, but, that still wouldn’t justify it; SOUP IS MEANT, NATURALLY, TO GO WITH ‘OKELE’.
I’m sure the new caterer is not running at a loss, because she’s likely making more money from meat, egg and other accessories, that go with the meals. She’s just refused to be greedy or avaricious, like many people out there.
Her BUSINESS MODEL makes more sense than those doing otherwise, and for that, she’ll ALWAYS have my PRAYERS and GOODWILL. And, I believe that many others in the company share this same feeling of GOODWILL I have towards her.
Let’s say “NO” to greed, exploitation, and self-centeredness. It is the LORD’S BLESSING that makes one rich and adds no sorrow to it.
Selah!
DA