THE IKOTUN BOTTLE WATER SELLERS.

Two women in Ikotun hawking bottle water were standing where I parked my car today. 

I was waiting for someone and then I bought bottle water from one, and then left the my change of 800 Naira with her. 

The second woman seeing what happened also said, Sir, buy from me too with all smile, and before I said a word, the first woman I bought from, blocked her and angrily said No, asking her what does she want me to do with it? 

The second woman then backed off.

Then I came down and went to her myself. I told her, how much is all your market? 

She could not interpret what that means because of course can I drink all her water and minerals. 

So I asked again. She brought down her market and then counted. She said, N12,200.

So I told her, come and put them in my boot. 

And then I transferred N50,000 to her. She hugged me, teared up and dance and dance. 

Two things made me do that. 

1. The action of the first woman. I hate when people block others from getting help. It happens a lot. Imagine these two women are water sellers who were seen standing together but then, she was literally blocking her other woman from getting patronized. 

2. I took that decision because even though I didn’t buy from her, it doesn’t stop her from speaking out and asking, “Sir, buy from me too”. 

That didn’t sound just ordinary. It was a cry for assistance. A need. 

And I bless God who put in my heart to understand the message.

Oluwanishola Akeju