The day my childhood friend vanished with my N2.4 million container

Two years ago, I was doing well for myself in Aba. Phone accessories from Onitsha, moving about 20 units a week, profit margins were sweet. Then my childhood friend, Chinedu Okeke, came to me with a proposal.

He said he had a connection in Cotonou for iPhone screens at half the price we were paying in Lagos. I calculated the numbers, it looked correct. We agreed to split everything 50/50. I put in N2.4 million, he put in N1.8 million. We bought a full container together.

The container landed in Lagos. Chinedu said he would go to clear it himself because his cousin worked at the port. I said okay. For two weeks, he kept telling me "small delay, small delay." Then his phone started going off. I went to his house in Onitsha, his landlord said he packed out in the middle of the night.

Omo! I nearly went mad. That money was my working capital, my rent money, my sister's school fees for the next semester. I couldn't eat for three days. My mother kept asking me what was wrong, I just told her business was slow.

I had to start from zero. Sold my motorcycle for N350,000. Borrowed N200,000 from my uncle. Started buying phone cases in small quantities from Ladipo. After six months, I was back on my feet. Now I don't do joint business with anybody, not even my own brother. If you want to partner, bring your own capital and we will share profit after the goods are sold. No more blind trust.

God is involved. He taught me that lesson cheaply. Some people learn it with their lives.