CHAPTER 9: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS

CHAPTER 9

The ceiling fan rotated slowly. It let out a shriek of creak every time it completed an oscillation. The window, opened in half, let in a gentle breeze with a low whistling sound. Everything else in the room stood still- including Blessing, Ade and Bukky. One could almost conclude that they were mourning.

Bukky cuddled up to Ade, who, seeing this as a life time opportunity, wrapped her up in his arms like his breath.

“You know,” Bukky turned to Ade, “I still couldn’t believe he slapped her.” She whispered.

Ade sighed, “You were there, right? So was I. The sooner you believe, the better you help her stop this madness.” Ade whispered back.

“She is beyond help.” Bukky said. “She still insists on keeping the pregnancy.” Bukky said with worry.

“Maybe, it’s what you girls know as love.”

“Why am I not been affected by that disease?” Bukky asked Ade.

“What disease?” Ade asked.

“Love! Why am I not been enveloped in the madness?”

“Maybe you lack affection.”

“No, try ‘wise’. I am not a fool. I have a reason for living and I have priorities. That is what differentiates me from idiots like her.”

Ade rolled his eyes. She is truly wise, he knew this. “See, enough of us. How do we help Blessing?”

“Even with a black eye, she still professes her love for him. This all strange to me. Is she crazy or what? Maybe Uncle James already bewitched her.”

Ade asked Bukky to forget about Uncle James. “He is not that type of person.” He argued.

In all, Blessing sat, dead silent, lost in thoughts, sad without tears. In her hand, she held the picture of Emeka, even with her swollen face. Right within the whispers and the silence, she reminisced about the event of two days ago…


************************************

They had arrived at Uncle James’s place to know about Blessing’s fate, since he already promised to talk to his nephew. But on arriving at his place, Monica, his first daughter, told them that her father traveled for an emergency event. It was a meeting of the herbalists and being the general secretary, he had no choice but to be there. Even though it was impromptu.

“I overheard him talking to Emeka though- he said they will talk when he is back from the meeting.” Monica told Blessing, whom she was worried and concerned about.

“So, when will he be back?” Bukky had asked.
Monica said she couldn’t say, but assured them that Uncle will never support Emeka’s decision to let Blessing abort the pregnancy. She asked Blessing to be patient.

“Talking of Emeka, where is he?” Ade just realized they haven’t asked the question.

“He’s not available.” Monica said.

“I thought you said he came home some days after we left? Blessing asked.

“Yes, he did. He said he had an accident.” Monica replied.

Blessing had sprung from her feet in fear. She asked many questions at once. Monica assured her that he is now fine. He just went to see some friends. Blessing was relieved, Bukky was angry at her friend.

Few minutes later, as they were about leaving, Emeka had showed up. Blessing rushed to her feet to meet with him after seeing him in a bad shape. Plastered forehead and a sling to the neck. But it was a surprise to everyone when Emeka met her goodwill with a wild slap across her face. This sent her flying to the left. She banged herself against the wall with a scream and fell with a thud- silent.

Everyone had frozen in horror- everyone except Emeka who churned out threats and warnings to Blessing who lay still on the floor.

“I have told you and I will keep repeating this, stay away from me! I don’t want you or the bastard inside of you!”

He had walked inside and ignored them all.


End of 9 (just two more chapters to go!)

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CHAPTER 8: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS

CHAPTER 8

Emeka got home very late in the evening- he appeared very tired. Uncle James had asked him to see him for an important discussion. That was exactly four days after Ade had left with the girls. Although, Uncle James had called Emeka immediately the guys left, but, Emeka could only make it home, three days after.

Uncle James was mixing some concoction when Emeka emerged. One of his eyes was swollen while the forehead was plastered. Uncle James dropped what he was doing and ran to meet his nephew, who also has a sling around his neck for his left arm.

“What is the meaning of this? Who did this to you?” Uncle James bellowed in anger.

“Good evening Uncle, I am sorry I couldn’t make it home three days ago.” Emeka answered, evasively.

“That wasn’t my question, Emeka. I said, who did this to…”

“Nobody, Uncle James. It was an accident. I fell off the stairs.” He lied. He couldn’t have told him about his encounter with Pastor Hulk. His Uncle would have been ashamed that he got a beating because of a girl.

“Well, I hope you are fine?” Uncle James asked and Emeka said, “Yes, I am. Thank you.”

“Now, you may go inside while I finish this medicine for a client of mine. Bathe, eat and sleep- we have something important to discuss- maybe tomorrow.”

Emeka nodded and dragged himself inside.


*********************

Bukky and Ade watched as Blessing pasted her phone against her ears. She has been on that call for fifteen minutes. Bukky and Ade were eager for her to be done with the call so as to know the next step- Blessing listened with rapt attention.

“I think it will work out.” Bukky whispered and smiled to Ade who only patted her while his eyes were fixed on Blessing.

Blessing shook her head slowly and she readjusted the phone with her other hand. After a while, she was done with it. She gently placed her phone of the table and looked at Bukky and Ade whose eyes were asking, “How was it?”
Blessing shook her head slowly. Bukky took a quick disappointed look at Ade who happened to do the same.

“You mean…?”

“He denied!” Blessing interjected Bukky.

“Is he crazy or what?” Ade shouted and stood up abruptly.

“I think you need to talk to your friend. He cannot deny this pregnancy!” Bukky said to Ade..

“Blessing… please, relax, I think I need to see Uncle James. I will be back.” Ade said and left.

Bukky sat closer to her friend on the bed, “What did that bastard say?” She asked annoyingly.

Blessing replied with rains of tears. Bukky tried to pacify her.

“He… He… He said…” She sobbed, “Can you imagine Emeka calling me a prostitute? Can you?” She asked Bukky with a faint voice.

“He did what? Is he crazy or what? Let me ask you, was he not the first guy?”

“Bukky, you know me.” She cried and placed her hand on her chest, beating it softly. “You know me, you know Emeka is the only guy with me.”

“I know…I know. You know, guys are very funny. Maybe he read a message on your phone or …”

“Bukky, you’re hurting me! What messages could it be? What other guy? Ever since I gave him the chance, I ensured I am as transparent as I could, just to avoid this type of situation?”

“Listen, Blessing, the best thing to do is to avoid this… this issue of… erm… sex, completely. I mean, when all these is over!”

Blessing looked at her slowly and shook her head, with her forefinger in between her teeth, immersed in regret.

Bukky continued, “If a guy really likes you, let him wait for you. If he is in a hurry, let him work hard and start preparing for the wedding. I have never allowed Ade to go beyond pecking and holding hands. If he doesn’t like it, he may leave. I am not saying that virginity is chastity or good behavior, but we all need to avoid these idiots who walk around shamelessly with their third legs, looking for whom to destroy.”

“Bukky, Bukky, please, I am not worried about all you’re saying. It is too late already, what do you think I should do?” Blessing sobbed.

“Well, I don’t know of your own plan. I can only advice you based on your interests.”

“I can’t believe this is happening to me!” Blessing lamented.

“Like you said, it is too late already, we should talk about the solutions- the future.”

“I don’t think I have one without Emeka.” Blessing said, much to Bukky’s disappointment. “Bukky, maybe we should wait a little and give him some time. Maybe he will come around. What do you think?”

Bukky was lost in words, she opened her mouth and closed it again- no word came out. Blessing continued in her folly,

“Maybe if you talk to him, he will listen to you. You know, he respected you a lot. I believe he is still angry and will see things the right way.”

“Listen, Blessing,” Bukky stopped her after she couldn’t take it anymore, “Emeka had already seen things the right way- his own right ways, and that was why he arrived at that conclusion. You need to…”

“No, Bukky, no.” Blessing interjected. “You cannot just say that. He may going through a major stress that…”

“Enough of this folly!” Bukky shouted her down. “Why are you this insane? What has Emeka done to you? I hope he hasn’t bewitched you with a love spell?”

Blessing sighed. “He didn’t. I love him. I am sorry that you may not understand what that means.”

“Oh, I love myself. I love my parents and I love my family. I love my future and I love Ade too. That was why I decided not to be carried away in this ten minutes madness and jeopardize everything I love!” Bukky clapped back.

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Blessing said. “What do you think I should do?”

“I will be blunt with you- abort this pregnancy and continue with your life. Don’t jeopardize your life by pitching your tent with a guy like Emeka. He is already proving that he is an animal. Even if you marry him, do not expect any special treatment.”

“You don’t know that!” Blessing defended Emeka. “I told you, that Hannah-of-a-witch could have bewitched him! Maybe we should pray for him.”

“God forbid!” Bukky growled. She shook her head as she looked at her friend with uttermost pity. “You should make up your mind, and you should do that real fast.”

“I already did.” Blessing replied. She was looking out of the window.

“And that is?”

Blessing turned to face her friend and coldly replied, “Emeka will come around. I will start praying and fasting by tomorrow. I will keep this pregnancy.”

Bukky shook her head in anger and left for the lecture room.

END of 8

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CHAPTER 7: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS

CHAPTER 7

Uncle James quickly wrapped up what he was doing to be with the visitors he asked to wait for him outside his veranda.

“I hope you are not angry, my son and daughters?” He asked as he sat in the chair in their front.

“No, Sir.” Ade and Bukky chorused- Blessing was silent.

“Ade, you know the nature of my job, I attend to a lot of pressing issues from many people, every day. It is a pity that my nephew is not around to help me out, he has been away in school for months now. Besides, you guys said you are here because of him, right?”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Ade, I hope your friend is okay?”

“Emeka is fine, Uncle. But we are here because of this lady.” Ade pointed to Blessing who went on her knees, sobbing.

Emeka’s Uncle and guardian, Uncle James, urged her to sit down. He asked what the problem was. Ade told Uncle James that they had reasons to believe that Emeka was responsible for Blessing’s pregnancy.

“Really?” Uncle James was clearly happy, but couldn’t fathom why Blessing was crying. “This is a thing of joy, my daughter. If you are worried that my nephew has no job, do not worry about that as I will take full responsi…"

“It’s not that, Uncle.” Ade jumped in. “I know you are a good man, but Emeka didn’t want to see her again.”

“Why? Did she do something wrong?”

“I don’t believe so. But it appears that Emeka is dumping her for another lady!” Bukky said.

“Even when he knows he had her put in a family way? That is cruelty and I cannot take that from him!” Uncle James raged.

“Well, we just knew yesterday that she is pregnant. Emeka broke with her several days ago.” Ade said.

Uncle James sighed and assured them that he will talk to his nephew.

“What if he didn’t listen?” Blessing sobbed.

“Listen, my child, I may not be Emeka’s biological father, but I have been his father ever since his parents left this world through a fatal accident, when he was just thirteen years old. I am the one who has been his father since then. Listen to me, my child, I also have children of my own, but Emeka has always been to me, my first born and he hasn’t for once, go against my advice. Relax your mind.”

Blessing felt comfortable, at least, even if it felt false. They all thanked Emeka’s Uncle and they left. As they were going, Bukky said,

“The man seems nice, don’t you think?”

“Of course, he is a very nice man. I knew him before I and Emeka gained admission into the University. I used to sleep over at their place sometimes.” Ade said.

“Is he a Pastor?” Blessing asked.

“A Pastor? Not even close!” Ade said. “He’s an herbalist.”

“An herbalist?” Blessing stopped abruptly! “Jesus!”

“Jesus what?” Ade said. “You better let that thought go. Uncle James is one of the best and easy going ones. You need to lay your mind at rest.”

Blessing sighed as Bukky patted her. Bukky asked if Blessing really thought was really wise to let the pregnancy grow instead of aborting it because of her studies.

“I don’t want to lose him.” Blessing said, rather disappointing to Bukky. “I can always come back for my studies.”

“Well, if you say so.” Bukky, who doesn’t want to be seen as an antagonist, replied her.

“Do you think that Emeka will listen to her Uncle?” Blessing asked again.

“Well,” Ade said, “that is left to be known.”

“I am just scared, that’s why?” Blessing said.

“Well, I would be too.” Bukky said. “But if it were me, I will abort the pregnancy and move on.”

Ade looked at her, but, she didn’t notice. She kept on talking, “I cannot be allowed to be treated like I don’t have a choice. No man is entitled to treat a lady that way. Not even when I gave him my virginity like you did with Emeka. It is unfair.”

“I beg your pardon,” Ade came in, “but, she wasn’t forced to give it to him.” Ade said angrily.

“Are you for real?” Bukky asked angrily. “Did you really say that?”

“Of course, I did! You made it sound like both Emeka and Blessing are kids who are not responsible for their actions. There wasn’t any coercion!”

“So, what are we to call it when a guy keeps promising lies and heaven just to get laid, just like you’ve always been doing with me?” Bukky asked angrily.

“And did you ever give in?” Ade asked.

“Of course, I wouldn’t!” This is sort of thing I was clearly avoiding!

“Hello guys,” Blessing finally said, “I think I am still here. You guys can just direct the insults at me.”

“Sorry.” Ade and Bukky chorused.

“That’s not necessary. It doesn’t seems like this is your fault. I think Ade is right. I can only blame myself.”

“I…I mean, we didn’t mean to make it sound like that.” Ade said.

“I am sorry.” Bukky added.

Blessing was silent, lost in thought. The rest of the journey, back to the campus, was as silent as the graveyard.

End of 7

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CHAPTER 6: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS

CHAPTER 6

 “What happened?” Blessing asked as she was brought back to life.

“You blacked out,” Bukky replied with a worried face, “again.” She added.

“Again?” Blessing asked. She had recollected that the reason she was at the hospital was because she fainted at Hannah’s place, but to say she blacked out again, was worrisome.

“Where am I?” She asked as she was helped to sit.

“You are in my office, Blessing. You need to take things easy.” The doctor said.

“I blacked out again? Am I still in the hospital?”

The doctor nodded. “But, like I said, you need to take things easy. You’re no more a kid.”

Blessing sighed. “Why…” She rephrased, “Is this how I am going to be fainting every now and then?”

The doctor scoffed. “No. But, are you telling me you do not remember why fainted right here?”

“I…” She rubbed the back of her neck, “I thought it was a relapse of what happened at Hannah’s place.” She said.

“A relapse?” The doctor chuckled. “Ade…sorry, I think Bukky, being a female, will be in the best position to tell you what happened.”

“Something else happened?” She sprang towards Bukky, who nodded with a pitiful eyes.

“What is happening?” Am I infected?” She screamed.

“You need to calm down, Blessing, you are not infected.” Ade patted her.

“You need to be scared of infections too, if you’re going to be having sex without protection. Latex condoms are very cheap. Didn’t somebody tell you guys?” The doctor schooled.

“So, what happened to me? What is happening? I could only recollect I was being discharged after three days and the doctor asked to see us briefly, right?” She asked Bukky, who nodded. “So, I was given a result sheet for the test done and…” She looked at Bukky in horror as she recollected exactly why she fainted. She exploded into tears. “No, no.” She screamed.

“I think we will find a solution, okay?” Bukky tried to pacify her friend. She was also crying.

“Solution? Solution? Don’t you understand? Are we not talking of Emeka?” Bukky wailed with mucus mixing with tears.

“We will see her Uncle, okay. I will take you there by myself.” Ade did his best.

“No, no, I am dead.” Blessing cried. “My father is going to kill me!”

“No, you are not.” The doctor replied her. “Go think this through and come back to see me, okay?”

Bukky and Ade thanked the doctor and guided their friend out of her office.

**********************

Emeka had been begging Hannah since the trio came looking for him. Immediately they left, Hannah had pushed him away and asked him to leave her place for ‘perjury’.

“I thought… you were just holding me now.” Emeka had asked, bemused.

“Yes, that was before your girlfriend interrupted us.” Hannah had replied. “And don’t forget, you swore to me that none of your friends knew this place and it was funny that you even used the Bible to lie.”

“See, Hannah…”

“See, Emeka, let it go. It is over!”

That was three days ago. Emeka hasn’t stopped begging Hannah, who had it all planned. The whole swearing thing was a trap she set for Emeka.

That day, while at the window, she already saw Ade, Bukky and Blessing alight in front of her hostel’s gate. She quickly excused herself from Emeka and ran downstairs to tell Rucks and Sarah to delay the three incoming visitors for just fifteen minutes- enough time for her to ran back upstairs to set the trap for Emeka. Also, enough time to get both of them half-naked so that the three incoming visitors met them in the unholy position. She was glad when Blessing fainted.

There was a knock on the door.

“Hannah, your man is here!” Sarah popped in her head to inform Hannah who was busy addressing Emeka. Sarah was surprised to see Emeka on her knees. “Is this guy still here?”

“I have done all I could,” Hannah replied, “he just wouldn’t leave!”

“Listen, deaf guy, you better leave. Rucks is still trying to delay her man by the gate. If he should meet you here, you are a dead man!” Sarah threw her two cents into the bowl and left.

“You heard her.” Hannah told Emeka. “Do not let Pastor Akin meet you here!”

“Pastor Akin?” Emeka asked, puzzled. “So, he’s a Pastor!”

“He is not a Pastor in any way, dumbass! It was a nickname given him for his gentle looks. But do not be deceived, he is very dangerous. You must leave. I can always say you are a delivery guy.” Hannah tried to help him but Emeka refused. He continue begging.

Suddenly, the door creaked open and a hulk-looking guy extruded himself inside through the opening. Emeka stood up slowly. The guy sure looks simple, but his stature scared him.

“Who is this guy?” The Hulk roared.
Emeka trembled but turned to Hannah for explanation.

Hannah tried to put on a smile and said Emeka was an intruder who has been stalking her all her life! Before Emeka could recover from the shock of Hannah’s statement. The guy was already red in the face, moving over to him.

Emeka decided to defend himself by saying he was just a delivery guy, but before he could utter a word, there was a crack in the air and everything went dark around him- it was a slap from Hulk. In the darkness, he knew he staggered and hit his head on the wall. His ears couldn’t pick a clear sound- it was all a static sound. He shook his head to clear the darkness and the static sound.

Then slowly, it was getting cleared. He shook his head more frantically and the light was coming back to his eyes. He even picked a sound-

“I swear, I don’t know him!” It was Hannah’s.

As he tried to see what was happening with the dark fog around his eyes, there was another darkness and a static sound again- he blacked out from the second blow!

THE END OF 6

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CHAPTER 5: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS

CHAPTER 5

An occasional but consistent high-pitched beep sounds visited Blessing in her dreams. It became so loud and consistent that even though she wasn’t yet awake, it irritated her. She shifted in her bed and tried to shake off the sound- all to no avail. Then suddenly, without her wanting it, her eyes opened. Slowly at first, then they blinked repeatedly as they tried to adjust to the light. It wasn’t pleasant.

She felt a hand on her arm, then a voice saying, “She is awake.” It was a female’s.

“Shh,” a male voice hushed her down, “do not make noise. Quick, call the doctor.”

“Hang on dear.” The female voice said and Blessing could feel her arm being tapped by the hand.

She closed her eyes again and was drifting back into dreamland, but a hand, different from the one that touched her arm, slapped her gently on her cheeks. The hand appeared to be sticky.

“Wake up, wake up.” She heard a different voice- the owner of the sticky hands, commanding her with a deep feminine voice.

There was a struggle between her soul and her body as she turned and stretched but not willing to wake up. She groaned. The high pitched beep was now very high and fast- she could hear it, but everything was dark. Then suddenly, she felt a rush of air in her chest- somebody had maybe, tore off her shirt. The first hand that touched her arm now grabbed it, she could hear her shout and panic, but did not know why.

On her bare chest, something cold were placed, she could feel it and it sent an electric shock into her brain. It seemed to lift her up slam her back on the bed. Her brain became so loud that the high pitched beeps sliced through her brain. She shuts wide, her eyes, but the sticky hands forced her eyes open and then she saw a light- very bright, directed right into her eyes.

She shoved her head away and for once, she could make sense of everything.

The sticky hands held a small touch in her hands- she was a doctor and she wore a rubber gloves. Bukky’s hands on her arm was still firm and there. She could see her- panic was written all over her countenance. Then she saw Ade behind Bukky, he held her shoulders- he looked happy.

“She’s okay.” He said with a smile.

She turned her head to where the high pitched sound was coming from- no wonder it was so loud. It was right beside her- a heart monitor. And right beside it was a defibrillator- she guessed that that was what sent the electric shock through her chest.

“Where am I?” She asked in a dead voice.

“You cannot recollect what happened?” Bukky asked, scared that her friend may have lost her memories.

Blessing shook her head. A headache ran across her forehead. She tried to touch it but her hands were strung up with a rubber-like strings like a puppet’s.

“Don’t move,” The doctor said, “just a few more drips and you will regain your strength.” She said as she injected more yellow liquid into the big bag that supplied the hollow rubber strings connected to her arm.

“What happened?” She asked again.

“You need to leave now.” The doctor ordered Bukky and Ade who were eager to tell Blessing what happened. “You guys can come back tomorrow, okay. Your friend is stable now.” She ushered them away with a friendly smile.

Bukky waved.

Slowly, Blessing watch them leave, she drifted to sleep. As she neared the dark world, she could recollect vividly, how it all happened.

*********************

 FEW HOURS EARLIER


Blessing had alighted with Bukky, in front of the gate of a very lovely hostel, with Ade, who had brought them there.

“You mean this is where Emeka is?” Blessing recollected asking Ade who reaffirmed her fear. What Ade failed to tell Blessing was that Emeka was with a lady- Hannah, a known prostitute from her class.

They met two half-dressed ladies, Rucks and Sarah, as soon as they entered the gate and she could recollect one of them telling them to wait for Hannah, who had gone out.

After the three of them had waited for fifteen minutes, one of the ladies came and told them that they could now go upstairs- “Hannah is back!” She said.

Blessing, Bukky and Ade were surprised because they did not see any Hannah enter through the gate. Nevertheless, they climbed the stairs to Hannah’s abode and Ade knocked on the beautiful door.

“Come right in.” Hannah’s voice had invited them in and they did just that, only to be met with the horror of their lives. Hannah’s plan worked!

“Emeka!” Blessing recollected screaming. “Why are you doing this to me?” She screamed as she saw Hannah and Emeka on the bed, both half-naked.

Emeka broke free and screamed back, “Because I don’t love you! Leave me alone!”

Blessing couldn’t believe her eyes, she watched as Emeka wrapped her arms around Hannah, who did the same with a conceited smiled.
Without any announcement, Blessing had blacked out!!!

End of 5

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CHAPTER 4: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS

CHAPTER 4

Emeka sat with eyes swollen- he sniffed like a child whose chance to play had been denied or whose candy has been stolen. His handkerchief was wet due to frequent wiping of a teary eyes and his stomach didn’t remind him that he hasn’t eaten for a whole day. He had managed to bathe and had his teeth brushed, but he was still with the cloth that was on him since he arrived at Hannah’s place, three days ago. And every night, against his fervent pleading, Hannah had always left him at home every night to come back the next morning.

Hannah was indifferent to his plight, she sat behind a big fat plate of food and ate on like her life depended on it. Occasionally, she threw glances at the sulking man, but no matter how she tried, she didn’t feel any pity for her. She never liked him- as a matter of fact, she never liked anyone. As a spoilt brat from a rich father who always travel around the world like the wind, she is either into a man, either for more money or sex. She wasn’t worried about this, not when she had no mother-figure to guide her since her mother left her Dad when she was four years old.

Now that things just got worse, Emeka was left alone at a corner of the room to grieve. Hannah already told her that she has another man- much older and a political thug who wouldn’t hesitate to beat anyone he perceived as a rival. Hannah had warned Emeka to let go, but it was almost impossible for him to accept. When he broke down after the news and secluded himself at a corner, Hannah had let him grieve and maybe, he will get over it.

“I am not leaving.” Emeka announced after hours of consulting with himself.

Hannah’s heavy silver spoon fell with a bang as it hit the ceramic plate, she couldn’t believe she heard right. “You say?”

“You heard me!” Emeka shouted. “I am not going anywhere! I love you!”

“And I don’t! How many times do I have to reiterate that fact to your deaf ears?”

“It won’t matter, Hannah. It won’t!” Emeka went on his knees and started begging again.

Hannah was furious. She couldn’t not fathom why a grown up man will be acting that weird. She had never been attached to a man in her life and whenever she was done with them, it always looked like she did them a favour whenever she asked them to stop contacting him. Not many of the men ever asked ‘why’, and those who did ask, were not really interested to know ‘why’. She knew she had no feelings for Emeka- she only wanted a night stand because he was handsome. And when they did went once, she loved it and wanted more- only for Emeka to start getting attached unnecessarily. She had never envisaged it would get as messy as it appeared.

“I love you!” Emeka sobbed. “Don’t leave me!”

Hannah stood by the window and wondered what else could be done. At a point, she thought of the police, but thought against it- it appeared too extreme. Maybe I could accept his initial proposal of being together after he graduates, she thought of just anything to yank herself free from this maniac. Even if he had stayed for a week, she wouldn’t have bothered, but for her new sugar daddy, who was in truth, a political thug, she feared that Emeka might be hurt. Emeka being hurt was never her headache, but it would be on her, since he was her visitor. She doesn’t want that conscience on her poor soul.

As she was about to turn away from the window to tell Emeka her decision, she saw an opportunity as three recognized figures alight from a taxi right in front of her hostel gate. She immediately excused herself from Emeka, promising to find a solution as soon as she gets back. She ran like a mad woman down the stairs and banged her fist on Rucks’s door. Rucks came out and Hannah whispered something into Rucks’s ears. Rucks didn’t ask questions, she agreed to do as Hannah has instructed.

Rucks is a randy student living at the ground floor of the same hostel with Hannah. She shared a three bedroom flat with two other students- Sarah and Mary. Apart from Hannah, who wasn’t into direct prostitution, Rucks, Mary and Sarah never denied their profession. Even as a student, the three lived a life of luxury.
Hannah ran back upstairs to her flat (She alone lived in a three bedroom flat) and slammed the door with her back. She smiled.

“I think I may have found a solution.” She said.
“I will do anything.” Emeka said.

“Of course, you will.” Hannah smiled back as she placed her hand on Emeka’s cheek. “You once told me that no one knows my place, not even your friend, Ade, right?” She asked and Emeka said no one knows.

“Can you swear that that was the truth? Because if it happened that you just lied to me again, that will be the end. Do you agree?”

Emeka agreed and said he will swear. Even though his heart pounds for the lie he was telling- Ade knows her place, but he was hoping he would warn him not to ever show up. He wanted Hannah and he was ready to lie to God’s face. Hannah said he should swear with a bible, but they couldn’t find one. So, Emeka opened the bible application on his phone and swore with it.

Hannah smiled.

End of chapter 4

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CHAPTER 3: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS

CHAPTER 3


Emeka’s eyes were swollen, red and like a brimstone, but this time, it wasn’t due to smoking or drinking, he has been crying his eyes out. If there were any begging position, he had already been there. But now, he prostrated on the floor, still begging Hannah to forgive him.

He has been begging for two days now, but Hannah had insisted that it was over. Something Emeka couldn’t take himself to bear. The first time Hannah said that, he almost drank himself to death. Even his friend, Ade, was unable to rescue him from the plank.

“You got to understand, please!” He kept repeating the verse like it mattered to Hannah, who was apparently not worried about the break up.

“Oh, I understood you the first time you explained, but you didn’t understand my own point, did you?” Hannah asked without looking at his wet face. She sat comfortably on the plastic chair with legs crossed, filing her nails that doesn’t need filing.

“Blessing is not more a problem, I promise you.” Emeka pleaded again.

“See, Emeka, when you approached me for a relationship, six months ago, I told you I can’t be with you unless you do away with… with that wretched girl! Everybody knows her background with her holier-than-thou attitude, just because her parents were pastors. She is poor, her parents are poor, and she is even a squatter because last time we heard, Bukky was the one paying for the hostel and she had never contributed a dime!”

“I swear, if you forgive me this time, I will never go back to her.”

“Yeah, heaven will come if I believe you this time. You know,” she stopped filing her nails, uncrossed her legs and bent from her chair to face Emeka, “the last time, she thanked you for being gentle with her while taking her virginity. This time, she missed you and will love to sleep over at your place. You know, I could only thank my stars that I had your phone with me on these two occasions, otherwise, you would have fooled me twice!"

“This time, I swear, it is over!” Emeka held onto Hannah’s legs.

Hannah yanked herself from him and walked to the window. “The worst part is, that wretched Blessing would have been bragging about you being hers, when I was bragging that you dumped her for me. Being in the same class with that wretched girl is shameful enough!”

“I am begging you. I cannot do without you, I swear!” Emeka sniffed and cried without leaving his position.

“The only way I can redeem my glowing image is to let everyone know that I dumbed you!”

Emeka assumed a kneeling position and walked on his knees to where Hannah was standing, he held on her skirt. “I don’t care if you told everyone that you dumbed me, but I am going to have nothing to do with Blessing anymore!”

“And how does that solve this whole issue?” Hannah turned to him.

“You know, I have just three months left in this university before my final papers, after which we can be together again.”

Hannah refused, and Emeka begged on.

*******************

“How is she?” Ade asked as he came into the hostel room.

“Still the same thing.” Bukky, who sat by a shivering Blessing answered Ade.

“That’s bad.” Ade said. “No improvement?”

“If you meant ‘after you left’, then, no.” Bukky replied.

Ade came forward to feel Blessing’s forehead. He quickly removed his hand. “Jesus! She burning up! Shouldn’t we take her to the school clinic?”

“She refused.”

“I don’t think she has much of a choice.” Ade said and moved towards Blessing’s bed, raised her arm and dropped it like a referee during a wrestling match. “She looks dead.”

Bukky scoffed. “She’s not dead.” She said and padded Blessing’s forehead with a wet towel.

“I am not dead.” Blessing said without opening her eyes. “Just get me my Emeka.”

“Is that what this is?” Ade was surprised.

“Yes, just get me Emeka and I will be fine.”

“I told you.” Bukky said.

“But I don’t know where he is?” Ade lied.

“You’re his friend, just help us find him.” Bukky shouted.

“Alright, alright, I will try and do that.” Ade replied uneasily. He started to think. Emeka doesn’t wants to be found, but it is looking as though he has no choice.

“Ade!” Bukky shouted his name.

“What? Why shouting my name? I am right here!”

“No, you were not. I called you three times.”

“You did?”

“Yes, she did.” Blessing replied to Ade’s question.

“What were you thinking? Did you know where your friend is?” Bukky asked Ade who denied.

Blessing sat up. “Ade, please.”

“What is the problem with you girls, huh? I told you I will look for him, okay? Take care of yourselves.” He said and both girls watched him leave.

END OF CHAPTER 3

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CHAPTER 2 (THE FATE THAT NEBER WAS)

CHAPTER 2

Blessing looked out of the window as she sat on her bed that was also by the window. Her stare was firm and long, but she was not looking at the anything in particular. Her mind was long gone in thought and worry; she has refused to touch her food and this worried her friend, Bukky, who sat beside her all day, watching her cry at intervals.

Blessing held up her phone to her face again and appeared to be dialing a number. After a while, as Bukky had expected, Blessing started to cry again. Bukky was now getting impatient.

“He refused to pick my call again. This is the third day, Bukky, what have I done to deserve this?” Blessing asked her friend amidst more tears.

Bukky wasn’t ready to comfort her anymore. She had tried to make her eat, make her take her bath and make her stop starring at the widow, all to no avail. Bukky hissed and looked away.

“I know you have tried,” Blessing continued, “but if Ade had treated you this way, I would have stayed by you…”

“What else do you want me to do?” Bukky asked, slightly angry. “Your boyfriend texted you that it was over, refused to pick your calls and almost got my boyfriend beaten at the plank when he tried to talk to him.”

“He what?” Blessing suddenly got interested.

“Listen, I shouldn’t have told you this but Ade asked not to compound your issues. He said that your boyfriend walked him away from the plank, two days ago when he tried to talk to him. He said he was dead drunk too and…”

The sound of Blessing’s phone that dropped on the ceramic floor of her hostel room cut through Bukky’s speech. Realizing that Blessing was lying back down on her bed, she believed she has fainted. Bukky rushed to her side and shook her frantically. Blessing responded with a high pitched scream before settling for proper crying. Bukky was relieved but annoyed.

“What is the meaning of this?” Bukky asked as she helped her friend to her butt.

“What did Emeka say I did that warranted this actions against me?”

“He never told Ade you did anything. I think it was a personal problem. Maybe he didn’t want to bother you with it.” Bukky said.

Blessing chose to believe what his friend said- partly because it reduced the burden of her thinking she had offended Emeka, her boyfriend, and partly because she didn’t want to believe that his boyfriend was leaving her.

“Did your boyfriend say exactly what the problem was?”

“You mean, Ade?” Bukky asked and Blessing nodded. “No, he didn’t. He only said Emeka said it was a personal problem.” She lied.

“But, he should have picked my call.” Blessing said. She started to reassemble her dissembled phone.

“Why don’t you just send a text?”

Blessing said she had sent hundreds of text messages. She tried the number again and it was just ringing out. Bukky has had enough, she said she would no longer miss the lectures by staying with her- she already missed two.

“Don’t worry about me. If I didn’t see my love, I am not going to the lecture room.” Blessing said.

“Are you okay?” Bukky couldn’t believe her ears. “May I remind you that both Emeka and Ade are in their final level? We are just at the second level and…”

“Go!” Blessing insisted.

“You need to think this through. Making a rash decision may hurt you for life.”

“I know.” She replied, nonchalantly.
Her phone rang and she was half excited. “He called back.” She whispered to Bukky as she picked the call.

“My love, why…” She was suddenly silent. But it was apparent by her countenance that she wasn’t listening to a pleasantries from the caller.

Bukky, having seen that there was a relief, gestured to leave. With her left hand, Blessing asked her to go, while holding the phone with the right.

“Is everything okay?” Bukky bent down to ask in a whisper, noticing the blanket of frown on her friend’s forehead.

Blessing nodded and Bukky stood up to leave. She had nearly gotten hold of the door latch when a crashing sound visited her ears- she turned around to face her friend just in time for her feet to stop the phone battery that was screeching to a stop. The pieces of Blessing’s phone graced the whole floor- all in different direction. Blessing covered her head with her bed sheet and sobbed uncontrollably.

Bukky checked her time by her wrist watch- lecture was in fifteen minutes, she could no longer help her friend. She left.

END OF CHAPTER 2

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CHAPTER 1: THE FATE THAT NEVER WAS (PART 1)

This story is a young adult fictional piece, written by KINGwax Oluwadamilare. All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 1

Emeka’s eyes was like a brimstone- they owed that to the many rounds of beer the holder of the eyes has consumed. He did not seemed to worry him a bit, but it worried his friend, Ade, who sat beside him, trying to make him stop, after many bottles- twelve, to be precise.

“I think you should stop here.” Ade pleaded. “Please.”

Emeka looked at his friend without a word, but his eyes pierced Ade’s soul. He tried to raise his hand as a signal for another drink, but, Ade quickly stopped it midair and brought it back on the table with an angry slam that sent the empty green bottles rolling on the table.

Ade, just realizing that he would be breaking some of the bottles, tried to stop the ones that were trying to find their way to the floor of the drinking area, but he only has two hands and could only hold two in his hands. The sound of broken bottles drew all eyes to their position.

“You do realize you will pay for that, right?” Emeka finally found his voice.

Ade balanced the two bottles on the table and his eyes were quick to caught Emeka’s hand as they were coming down. It was no rocket science, he already signaled for another drink.

“You’re not going to have that drink while I am still here, Emeka!” Ade got angry.

“And who’s going to stop me?” Emeka asked.

“I told you, Emeka, you are not going to have that… hey, hey…!” Ade cut himself short and sprang from his seat. He stopped the barman midway. “Who has these drinks?” He asked the barman.

The barman scoffed and answered him reluctantly, “your friend of course.”

“Which one?”

“What kind of question is this? The same one who broke the bottles over there. You were talking to him just now.” The barman replied.

“So, after you had bottled him down to thirteen…”

“Twelve.”

“What?” Ade asked.

“Twelve bottles, not thirteen.”

“And now, you’re going to add another four?” Ade asked as his eyes bulged at the fresh green bottles, sweating profusely in the basket the barman was holding.”

The barman shrugged and said it was his choice, not his. Ade begged him to let him take his friend home, but the barman asked if he was the one paying.

“My friend, over there,” Ade pointed to Emeka, “has a problem- a problem that he wouldn’t solve even if he drank himself to death.”

The barman said it was not his problem. And before they could continue, Emeka was right behind them.

“What is the problem here?” He asked as he balanced himself with the steel column at Ade’s back.

The barman explained to Emeka, who only smiled.

“Did you realize that he broke some bottles back there?” Emeka asked the barman who said he thought it was Emeka who broke them.

Emeka said it wasn’t him and he is not going to pay for it.

“Well, then, I have to collect the money for the bottle or the manger will have to deduct my salary. And that will never happen” The barman stretched his palm to Ade who looked at Emeka.

Ade whispered to Emeka, “You know I have no money on me here. Why are you doing this?”

Emeka chuckled and said to the barman, “You heard him?”

The Barman shook his head with a large frown.

“Well, Emeka began, “he said he’s not going to pay a dime!”

“What…? Emeka, why did you….See,” Ade turned to the barman, “he’s my friend, and he will pay you, okay? He’s just joking.”

The barman looked at Emeka who shook his head.

“Listen, I will have to be a little bit rough with you, my friend. Your phone will be held until you pay back that money!” The barman coldly told Ade and summoned the security, who appeared bored and suddenly excited that he was going to beat someone for the day’s entertainment.

Ade began to sweat. “See, I will talk to him, I will get you your money.”

 After Emeka was satisfied with the humiliation he gave his friend, he finally agreed to pay for the broken bottles, only if Ade is bounced out of the tavern. Ade couldn’t believe himself, but he was glad.

“Mr.,” The barman started, “I know you look like a gentlemen, I will ask…”

“No need for that, I will leave.” Ade said. He turned to his friend, “I want you to know that if you destroy yourself because of a lady, you do not have anyone to blame about that. It is on you!” He finished and started walking out of the plank- the name popular tavern.

Emeka scoffed and made to return to his seat, but he slipped and fell on a nearby table, full of empty bottles. The barman did helped him up, but not without first chuckling at the foolish man.

“You have broken more bottles, Sir.” The Barman said. I hope you…”

“How many?” Emeka asked as he was guided to his seat.

“The barman looked back and scooped in a figure, “Ten, I guess.” HE said and hoped Emeka wouldn’t see it was only three.

“How much?”

“One thousand, five hundred naira.” He said and Emeka said it’s okay, he will pay.

The barman clenched his teeth in regret and hoped he had said the figure was twenty. Nevertheless, as he guided Emeka to his table, he deliberately placed the bottles at the edge of his table and hoped he broke more of them!

END OF CHAPTER 1

*cover art by Niki de saint phalle art artist

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HOW TO IDENTIFY AND AVOID VANITY PUBLISHERS AS AN ASPIRING/UPCOMING WRITER

www.pxleyes.com

It is no news that every writer would love to get published, but what most of us failed to realize is that, as an aspiring and upcoming writer, we must understand one thing- we are an easy target!

I am sorry that I have to be that blunt about it, but how else does one say the truth without saying the truth?

Many so called ‘publishers’ will hijack your work, trash you and your work, tell you to forget about writing, tell you to bring a fortune for editing or publishing and so on. You will be put in a snooker, such that you will forget that you even have an option.

But believe me, not all these vanity publishers are so harsh with the way they respond to your submission, some of them are so nice, until they get hold of your manuscript.

WHO IS A VANITY PUBLISHER/HOW CAN YOU RECOGNISE THEM?

Vanity (or subsidy) publishers are what we can call ‘a glorified printing press owners’. Someone just got the opportunity to own a lovely printing press and viola, he calls himself a publisher just because he is in the art of obtaining ISBN for the unsuspecting writers!

These people set up companies and employ some editors who will proofread your manuscripts and most times, have no idea of what you were even trying to pass on. Vanity publishers don’t even have time to read your manuscripts- they rarely do. The moment they see your mail, and probably your synopsis and your three sample chapters (which was never read because they don’t really care about you), they will send you a nice reply about how the board of editors have passed your book for the final editing and how you will be contacted if your manuscript is to be considered for publishing. Be rest assured, it will be.

Now, after congratulating you about ‘your manuscript meeting their publishing standard’ (if ever they had any) and how it is being considered for publication, you will be asked to send the WHOLE MANUSCRIPT for the editor’s perusal (please, don’t) and a publishing agreement will be forwarded to you for your rejection or acceptance. You will definitely be thrown a bait of the popular 70% royalty on every sale too!

Now, don’t get it twisted, real publishers will require these too…

But the main focal point to identify a vanity publisher is that, “you will be required to pay a small fee as commitment before your book is published”. By the time they give you a price, you wouldn’t realize that it had already covered the cost of printing the required numbers of copies they promised to print (exactly what you paid for)!

Now, let us stop here and get some air.

Vanity publishers don’t care if your work meets any standard, and your manuscript is not even safe (especially if it is not copyrighted). All they wanted to do is their job- print and make profit. But after 500 copies (or whatever you paid for) have been delivered, your books will probably ‘not leave their shelf’.

For the marketing aspect, vanity publishers will provided with a free blog and hosted at a very cheap price- all within your payment! If you happened to make good sales after you are left to put in every last effort on marketing, good for them- not you, because the 30% that belongs to them is a plus, after the initial profit of printing. And worst still, you must have already entered a contractual agreement whereby, if your book ever made unexpected headlines, you are indirectly advertising them for a job you paid for, and helping them make more money.

They probably call themselves publishers because they have helped your lazy and ignorant self, purchase an ISBN for your book, registered in their name too. So, technically, they are profit-partakers of your work and owing part of the copyright. So, when you get lucky and either got a bigger book deal or a movie deal, don’t forget, you’ve got partners whom you’ve paid to help you print, collect ISBN and still waiting ripping you off by sharing in the profit!

Note that whoever owns the ISBN owns the book and the author.

SO, HOW DO YOU AVOID THEM?

Like I said, all steps involved, from submitting a manuscript and accepting to publish you, are real until they ask for the whole manuscript without a pre-contract. So,

1. Never send your manuscript without you getting an ISBN. This is very cheap, and the process is quite simple. Contact the copyright house in your locality. If you cannot afford this, ensure that your manuscript is published online (at your own risk), self-published (even if you won’t sell a copy of it, it will still be registered as a published book) or simply send a copy of the manuscript to yourself or friends by mail (they may not open it, but it will have a date and time as reference).

Vanity publishers employ ghoat writers who, with your synopsis and sample chapters, will rewrite your good story!

2. Don’t sign any stupid agreement that requires you to pay before you get published.

3. Don’t pay before or after you are being considered for publication.

ANOTHER WAY TO IDENTIFY VANITY PUBLISHERS IS TO IDENTIFY THE REAL PUBLISHERS

1. That will offers to take on the publishing and major marketing expenses;
2. That are ready to assign you an editor to take you through your whole editing experience and;
3. Ready to meet with you or your agent to discuss terms and agreement.
4. They may offer you a pre-contract before asking for the whole manuscript (pre-contract is not necessary, but you may be asked to sign an agreement for the safety of your manuscript) and
5. Will be ready to give you (not a whole 70% of sales but maybe far lesser because they are the one taking on the expenses including major marketing) your royalty.
6.     Real (traditional) publishers will show the zeal to publish your manuscript if they feel it will bring in profit through sales, thus, they are always ready to spend their money and make it go places while you are made ready to read the excerpts to book clubs, sign autograph and rake in royalties with less effort.

So, dear readers, before you are being deceived by Printers who brand themselves as publishers, think twice and do not be in a hurry or you will be left to market your books at car parks just to break even (if you ever will).

Printers already made their profit the moment you pay them to print the numbers of copies that your payment covers, and you will do all the marketing for them.
Do not bring down your guard or write off yourself because they believed you cannot make it in the outside world- who says?

Remember, keep writing, and keep getting better.

Thank you.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SETTING UP YOUR SMALL SCALE, MEDIUM SCALE OR LARGE SCALE GARRI PROCESSING FACTORY

Kindly visit our garri dedicated blog for everything related to Garri processing.

www.garriprocessing.blogspot.com

CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE COPY OF 

BE YOU OWN MANAGER... a 

comprehensive guide to managing your 

garri processing factory successfully.

I have come to realise that people who needs to know about garri processing always ask the same pattern of questions. this is the reason why i decided to put down these questions and paste for others to learn and quench their curiosity. Questions ranges from,
how can i set up a garri processing plant? What is garri processing? how can i make profit if i go into garri processing? How to set up a small scale, medium scale and large scale garri processing plant. How can we produce cassava flour? How to produce Garri ijebu, Garri egab and yellow garri? What will it cost to set up a garri processing plant in nigeria? Anyway, here we go.

After this session, you can click for the manual titled BE YOUR OWN MANAGER

Can we know you?

My name is simply Dare. The prefix of Mr or Builder (Being a building technologist by profession) is not necessary. I am a graduate since 2010.

Since when have you being in the farming business?

2013. We still have seven hectares of cassava farm in Akure that we manage and will be ready for harvest soon. Another four at iwo, in osun state. This is after suffering great losses due to arson on eleven hectares of land at Abeokuta, and the indifferent of the government due to this loss that was 100% not our fault. A lot of other farmers, mainly youth, are also affected. Also, when I said we, we are a group of young graduates. In fact, my other two colleagues have masters in Agricultural related courses with hands on practice.

But the issue of planting a cassava and not processing is no more related.

What do you mean? Is processing of cassava more lucrative than cultivating and selling?

Planting cassava without having to process it is going to be a loss. Apart from the fact that the prices are now nothing to cushion a break-even situation, it is NO MORE LUCRATIVE!Why is cassava cultivation no more lucrative?

TME 419 is the best variety from IITA. It allows multi-cropping and has the required starch content needed in many end products of cassava. Be it, garri, ethanol, starch and so on. This variety also has a very strong resistance against the popular mosaic disease. That was the edge we have over the local farmers until they got hold of the steams and BOOM, it was all over! Abd since they realised that it produces more than ten times the tubers they usually get from the local varieties, they sell in appalling prices that makes us redundant. That was why we started looking towards processing- Garri processing, to be precise. Though, we have a master’s degree graduate of food technology, who will put you through if you prefer flour as an end product.

What did you know about Garri production?

Everything! Ask me, and you will get your answer!

How did you get to know much?

Apart from the fact that as a kid, I involved in local garri processing a lot. I also had my training on modern garri processing at IITA and a hand on practicals at Ilorin, kwara state. I know virtually everything you need to know about the processing- from peeling  to effective bagging.How many types of garri do we have? Can we even say we have different types of garri?Of course, we do. The majors being Ijebu garri, Egba garri, garri igbo (yellow garri) and koko garri (Not dbanj’s o) Many people don’t know that we habe a type of garri that is produced from the leftovers after producing the real garri that is called koko garri. This garri behaves exactly like cassava flour. In fact, this garri is like flour and very thin in the hand like the flour.  When preparing it, it requires half of what the normal garri will require to produce a meal. It puffs and swells very easily. It could also be drunk, especially for those who may complain that coarseness of garri is too harsh on their oesophagus. In short, just think of an Amala in a garri form. And taste is unique!

Are the processes different?

Of course, the processing is what differentiates them.And what are these processes involved in the production of different types of garri?We shall discuss this in full in my manual- These four major types of garri and the FULL method of production. You will understand why the texture and taste are different.

OK. This will make me ask this, do you have a garri factory?

For now, when we need to, we process through small scale and local factories around us. We are not ready for a factory unless it is a larger scale. We are already saving towards this. The money involved is not really easy. Though, we are available to be partnered with in this area. You supply the fund and we set up and manage your factory for an agreed period of time and an agreed fee.

How much does it costs to have a small scale, medium and large scale factory?

For a small scale, you need at least, two plots of land, and around 500,000 naira and 650,000 naira for the machines. The structure depends on your taste. You don’t need a proper structure. Just a shedlike structure to house the machines and the frying area. You will be able to produce, at LEAST, 40 bags of 50kg per week. The machines are, probably, a peeler, 1ton/hr grater, a fermentation rack, two pressers, two frying trays and a grinder.

For a medium scale; you will need between 650,000 naira and 1 million naira. The structure will depend on your taste. Machines are, a 2tons/hr grater, a fermentation rack, two pressers, one or two sifter(s), three frying tray or a small mechanical fryer and a grinder/hammer mill. You should produce, AT LEAST, 150 – 200 bags of 50 kg each week. For a large scale, look at the bigger picture because you probably are going international. You will require machines in the range of 1.3 million and above (as your lordship wishes). You will need at LEAST, a peeler, two 2tons/hr or a 4tons/hr grater, fermentation racks, four pressers, two sifters, a mechanical fryer (no frying trays unless you’ll make room for at LEAST, five) and a hammer mill (No grinder).

Please, note the word, ‘AT LEAST’ in all the three tiers. Also, understand that a frying tray is capable of frying 25kg in 30 minutes. All machines must be made of stainless steel parts to avoid contamination with iron. This will, of course, fail the test conducted by THE FOOD REGULATORY BODY LIKE NAFDAC and your exportation license will be denied. There are other factors you must consider.

What are the factors to be considered by NAFDAC in order to approve a garri processing factory?

This simply means the way you set up and arrange your production such that they are well coordinated with an end product that is not contaminated in any way. They are in the MANUAL

I see. Which one is better- Mechanical fryer or manual?

I believe what you meant by manual, is the frying tray.The decision on the use mechanical fryer is far deeper than the output you wanted. Take it or live it, making garri is an art. It is far more than a machine doing the artistry. It is impossible to get what you want. Quote me anywhere.

Small scalers and some of the medium scalers are going to be focused on the local market- mostly, the lower and middle classes who will choose their garri types to suit various occasion. In the local process, you sprinkle, you turn, you add more, you leave to burn, you dry, you wet, you dehydrate and so on. Each process are either combined or removed to ensure you achieve the particular type you wanted that suits the taste and have effect that is desired.

Now, the mechanical fryer works exactly like a popcorn machine. It is developed to produce large scale in one process that will be cooled and bagged. The processes and art are not considered. Most times, the rich folks or foreign folks they target do not know the difference. It’s just like mixing flour with cocaine. You don’t get to get the finest finish or choose types. You have one product churned out every time.

If you have been to the local factory, you will understand and appreciate these guys. They know when to press, when to turn, when to leave to burn and which side they have to touch. But the machine just roll and roll and turn until it’s dried.

I am not against this- but most definitely not necessary for the first two scalers. But for the larger scalers, the machine is your only friend.


Kindly visit our garri dedicated blog for everything related to Garri processing.


www.garriprocessing.blogspot.com

That is insightful. So, how do you come in?

Do you want a sketch/detailed drawing for factory? Call me. There is a price for either a sketch or a full architectural drawing. Check below for example. Put it in mind that both will be well detailed. While large scale producers may need an architectural drawing because of documentation and processing when they wanted to go international, small scalers and medium sized, don’t.

example of a sketch (residential)

exmaple of a sketch

Do you want me to personally supervise this project? No problem. With years’ of experience as a site manager and still counting, on the construction site, you’re safe.

Do you want an estimated cost of materials and so on? Call me. I will calculate the exact number of materials (blocks, cement, reinforcements etc.) that you require for each phase of work. This will keep you on the safer side and allow you plan.

We offer training too. That is, after your factory is set. We allow on of ours to manage (with an assistant who will closely work with him in order to take over. The assistant will be from you) for an agreed month- a minimum of six months. You will provide accommodation and salary.

How about sales? How lucrative is this?

I use to answer this question with another question. If it is not lucrative, why does it still flood the market? The local market is enough to consume anything you produce, no matter how large. Assuming you are prepared for the distribution through chains of networks either in warehouses, shops or the market place.

But what happens when the price of garri goes down?

This is food and not just another thing. People will seek for this product even when all other things could be ignored. When prices go up, it means the cost of production, which is mainly on the raw product (cassava tubers) and not on manpower, has risen. And when the prices fall, then there is a glut in the sale of tubers. You are probably buying lesser that before. But the good side of this is that, prices of the end product don’t really go down, you still make good profit especially if you already have your buyers which you would have. Either way, your profit is not disturbed. The only way a company folds up is when the raw materials are high and your produce is higher and people reject it. But this is food, how could they reject a staple food? Just imagine the price of rice going up and Thailand and people refused to buy… it will only happen in mars and not on earth!

So, you are saying that profit is assured in garri production?

Yes, it is. Either the raw products increases or decreases in price.Staff- lets discuss that. How does one choose his staff for his garri processing factory?Like I used to say, don’t pinch your factory where the raw material is scarce, and try to be near a village where you get cheap labour and staff. You only one staff- the manager- probably a local champion who will learn to operate the machines and monitor the others who peel, wash, pack and so on. Other workers will work daily. This gives room for competition and saves money when you are not producing. These people get paid for work done and work done only! Even when they are up to 100 on a pile of cassava heap, and they were able to peel a basket each… each get paid per basket peeled. You got that, right?

Of course. How much does it cost to produce a ton of garri?

I cannot tell you this, but it is so cheap to produce. For example, a drum of cassava is peeled for just 300 naira, and around 500 naira to grate, around 150 naira to press it. The one who will fry it is the same person who sees to its grating, pressing and sifting. She will fry 25kg at just 200 naira. A drum will produce at least, 50 kg, which is sold around 7,000 and above. Do the math. These prices are different in other places, but believe me, having your factory where it matters mattered a lot, in regards to your profit. You may have to forget about building a store if you set up closer to a village. I remembered we rented a room for just 7,000 once when we were producing for a client in Osun state- he had 5 hectares of cassava back then.

How does one source for the raw material in garri production? Do we need to plant cassavas too?

Planting is a cheap way and easy but never easy. You tend to have at least 30 hectares to keep producing all year round. This is for large scalers! Though, you may look towards having your own farm as a small or medium scaler, but take me on my words: If you set up your factory as I would advise, and you are short of the raw materials, then you call me out! The thing is this, set up near you raw material, set up a few kilometres from it, you raw materials will seek you out! You will be amazed by how this product is being sought after. People who have a big yard and resell cassava tubers, even in the city, don’t have problem sourcing or selling out within two days!The best way to identity the best cassava tubers are in my manual- one advice_ do not buy tubers that has been removed from its stem for as long as 48 hours!

Be rest assured, you will get a pickup (local truck) of well packed cassava tubers from the loval farmers as low as 12, 000. Note that this truck has a minimum capacity to pack one and half tons when packed. And when really packed, three tons! You can see why we decided to leave cassava cultivation for our daddies because before, a ton is as much as 18, 000. But market don spoil. Processing gets it all. You buy VERY cheap and make more money!

How much is a bag of garri in the market?

Which type of the bags? 10kg, 15kg, 25kg or 50kg? Now, understand this, no matter the price you sell, your profit is assured because the cost of production is low, anywhere, if you just follow my pattern.

 Which is?

…which is in my manual

For free?

Nope. N1, 000. It is a 54 (fifty four) paged handbook that you need to get and read in order for you to be able to understand these processes and take charge without anybody telling how to do it. With this book, you are already and expert in garri productions and the management of the factory. It is titled:

 BE YOUR OWN MANAGER!!!

The manual will entails details on the best way to site your factory, best way to produce and save money. It will explain the processes of production from peeling to bagging. Bagging is important- you want to really know that. It will deal with staffing and best way to effective sales too. Like I used to say, it will make you your manager without a problem. All the details of my training are included, the nitty gritty, and every other questions.

This manual contains some of the requirements that THE FOOD REGULATORY BODY LIKE NAFDAC is looking for in setting up a garri processing factory, such that a process doesn’t contaminate the other. This will also give insight to the best machine for each job.It contains the cons, like I have earlier and what you need to know. Believe me. It contains the contact of the best fabricator in Nigeria. Yes, like I have said- he currently works with the EU on food production and currently working with IITA to produce a mechanical fryer that is more effective and cost effective. These fryers are available now and ready to anyone.

So, everybody got to buy this?No, not everyone. For example, those who patronize any of my services got to get this for FREE plus a free phone consultation, anytime of the day! But those who don’t want my services may buy for another reason. But this manual doesn’t have an architectural plan for your factory.

What are the services you render as far as garri processing plant is concerned?

1.       The detailed sketch or an architectural plan
2.       Supervision
3.       Management and Training

4.       Building Estimation

Any of the three will earn you the manual and other feeebies!

So, how much are your services.

Call me +2347035593128

wale.joseph.oludare@gmail.com

acmesuccess007@gmail.com

slidewaxie@gmail.com

One last question. Can we have the list of table of contents for the manual?

 Why not?

The contents include:

•      setting up your factory (reducing costs of production)

•       environmental factors

•       let’s get the machines (with prices)

•       major types of GARRI and their processes of production

•       know your cassava tubers (how to spot the best)

•       choose your staff/manager

•       peeling and washing

•       grating and the grating area

•       fermenting and pressing

•       frying and other processes

•       bagging and storage

•       marketing and sales

•       basic production of cassava flour

•       contact your local fabricator with a voucher for       discount

PICTURES ARE INCLUDED!!!

If you feel the need to ask more questions after reading the manual, call me and you will be attended to.

So, how do we get this manual:

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO GET YOUR MANUAL. THANK YOU.

Fair enough; thank you for your time.

It is my pleasure. Thank you.

*please, note that prices stated here are as at the time of publication. The poster is not responsible for price change. Thank you.

Call me +2347035593128
garriguy007@gmail.com (updated)



Kindly visit our garri dedicated blog for everything related to Garri processing.

www.garriprocessing.blogspot.com

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