It comes with different names, shapes and sizes. Some call it fish roll, egg roll and the latest is “As E-Dey Hot “.They are everywhere in our cities. In Asaba for example, they are in different popular junctions, making brisk business. They can be located in Asaba at Ogbeogonogo market, Koka junction at the express, Nwawolo market, Okpanam, Infant Jesus Bus stop, Anwai, among others.
One can easily locate them by their big umbrella and inside the Umbrella are many things for the job. It was gathered that one needs about 350,000 to start the business before, but that it is more than 500,000 now to buy an average iron Caravan, gas cylinder, frying pan, spoons, table and chairs, a big Umbrella, Flour and the ingredients for the preparation of the fish roll.
Lifestyle, after a long observation of the booming business, decided to find out why is it that due to the hardships in the country now, many youths had gone ahead to learn different skills that can put food on their table without minding whether it’s for the female gender or not. On further enquiry, Lifestyle came in contact with a 21 year young man who goes by the name Chimezie Bright Ogali, who happens to be the owner of one of the business in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. The young man told Lifestyle that he’s from Ekpelu Community in Ikwo Council Area of Ebonyi State.
In an encounter with him, he said that he derives pleasure from the job because he has passion doing the job. Lifestyle was moved to talk to him after seeing the commitment and dedication of the man attached to a job exclusively meant for women. Chimezie says he wakes up every day by 4 am in the morning to start the moulding and mixing of the ingredients for the fish roll with the assistance of his younger brother as his helper because according to him, he alone cannot handle the moulding, mixing and frying , adding that he learnt the work in Benin -City, Edo State through helping a woman who prepares fish roll, egg rolls and thereafter, he came down to Asaba, Delta State to start his own business.
Like every other entrepreneur, he said that he was inspired to go into the business due to the huge customers that patronizes his madam when he was learning the trade and that people were also happy with him for identifying and learning the job not minding his gender as a young boy, saying he had no alternative than to put in his best and develop more interest in the job as his father had no money to fund his education during the time he is supposed to register for Junior WAEC “JSS3”.
He said that he is currently managing the business with his younger brother because he cannot afford to pay another helper.
Chimezie expressed surprise why people say he chose the business which many people see as female job, saying that right now and all over the world, there is no particular work for any gender, so far you can work hard and has the passion for the job. He said “,Nigeria is a difficult country now to stay because the economy is harsh and there is hunger everywhere in the land , so instead of idling away looking for what to eat or do, decided to enter into this business. “According to him, right now, I am enjoying it and I am not complaining even with the stress, at least I make small profit and from there, I send some to my parents for their survival in the village and keep some for myself and my brother who is helping me “
Chimezie said that he had been on his own for more than two years and that the business has been booming, adding that apart from selling in front of his stand, that he equally supplies to people in large quantities who do meetings, birthdays among others, adding that he had no dull moment “.
The man said that he fries every morning and evening seven days a week and customers are always there to clear everything without any unsold left and even demand for more because it is refilling when taken with Zobo, soft drinks, tea or even water, adding that with 4 or 5 rolls you are okay for the day.
He said that the fish roll is now 100 naira as against the 50 naira as was sold before, while the egg roll sells for 500 naira as against 150 to 200 naira before, stating that the high cost of eggs and fish are essentially responsible for the increase in the prices of the products. He said flour is not left out as “flour is now a no go area o.”
Speaking, one of his regular customers, Mr. Joshua Ikegwuonu said that he patronizes Chimezie on daily basis even on Sunday’s. He commended the man for his initiative and having a passion and skill that is exclusively for women, saying that due to changes in the country, that many boys are following the trend.
He therefore, used the opportunity to encourage young boys and girls in the society to learn a skill that would help them overcome this difficult times, saying “ having only certificate in Nigeria now without skills is almost nothing “.
Another customer, a student of Dennis Osadebay University Anwai, who preferred anonymity said that the snacks aka, “As E-dey Hot “prepared by Chimezie and other joints in Asaba are very unique and refilling and that many students go for it at the stand at Infant Jesus Bus stop, Anwai and that you will enjoy it when it is hot and steamy.
Also speaking, another customer, Goodness Ochuko, who says, he does not miss buying “as e-dey hot “ but lamented that the fish roll of these days are not as rich as the old days. He attributed this to high cost of fish in the market and one can hardly afford fish these days.
He said that the African fish roll is a popular West African street food made from pastry filled with fish and spices. It is crunchy, slightly sweet and spicy snacks that is common in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. He said that it is cost effective and that people have been in the business for a long time and thereby commended Chimezie for venturing into such skills. It is believed that other young men who are jobless will follow suit.
