Charity Nwakaudu
Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has different markets that service the needs of different class of residents. Financial strength and social status play a vital role in the choice of market residents visit.
Those who are financially strong visit exquisite shops in the plazas strategically located at the highbrow areas of the city. But the middle class and downtrodden that, unarguably, constitute larger population of the city are forced to visit crowded markets in different satellite towns to make purchase.
Virtually all the satellite towns in Abuja have markets. A day or two are dedicated as special market days. Nyanya is adjudged to be one of the biggest satellite towns in Abuja. Its market day is every Wednesday. The market attracts customers from different parts of Abuja and beyond. Majority of the consumers visit the market to get “second hand” cloths otherwise called “Okirika” or “bend down select”.
In spite of several markets in different locations in Abuja where such materials could be found, residents have found comfort and solace in Nyanya Market security threats and fear of possible repeat of April 14, 2014, attack by Boko Haram insurgents that led to the death of hundreds of people, notwithstanding.
Some residents that spoke to Daily Sun said “second hand” materials in other satellite markets in Abuja are overpriced compared to Nyanya Wednesday Market. A student of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Miss Precious Ameh, is a regular customer of the market. She said virtually all the clothes were bought from Nyanya Market: “But not everyone would know that they are second hand materials when I put them on.
“I often come from Gwagwalada to the market each time school session is on. Lots of my friends envy and admire some of the materials. Some have them have also requested that I buy for them. The materials in the market are always unique. But you have to come as early as possible to get the best of the best.”
Another customer, Mrs. Joy Onoja: “I don’t like ‘second hand’ undies due to infections, even though, they are more beautiful and last longer than new ones.”
Charles Chukwuemeka, a taxi driver, said he prefers to buy items like shoes, T-shirts and other shirts from the market, because “they are affordable and very unique when compared to what you get from elsewhere.”
Chidiebere Ani, a trader at the market said their products “are neither fake nor of lesser quality compared to the ones sold at other markets. He neutralised the criticisms and perception that products sold in Nyanya Market are of lower quality and have expired.
He believed that it was a plan to discourage their customers and run down their businesses: “Good enough, none of our customers has complained. We all buy from the same place and price. The only difference is that they package their own better than us.”