The morning my tomatoes turned to smoke and I learnt who my real people were

Two years ago, during harmattan. I dey my shop at Mile 12, just arrange fresh tomatoes wey I buy from Jos. I take loan from cooperative, 150k. I was planning to expand, buy more pepper, supply to restaurants.

Around 6am, I hear people shouting FIRE FIRE. Before I could blink, smoke dey everywhere. My whole stock, everything I work for, just burn. I stand there watching, my legs weak like water. I couldn't even cry. I just kept saying Jesus over and over.

That day, I lost everything. The loan, the tomatoes, the profit I was expecting. I had nothing left. I went home and told my children we go manage from scratch.

But God... my church members came together. One woman brought 20k. Another brought bags of rice. My neighbour at the market gave me space to start again small small. My own children started selling pure water after school to help.

Today, I get three stalls. I paid back that loan plus interest. I learnt say when fire destroys your goods, it also reveals your real family. The people who show up for you when you have nothing, those are your people. 🙏