The Day I Chose My Enemy Over My Goods

Last year during the dry season, fire broke out at Agege Market. I was arranging my provisions when I heard the shouting. Smoke was rising from the other end of the market, and people were running, carrying whatever they could grab.

My shop was close to the source. I had goods worth over ₦200,000 inside, and I had just restocked. My first instinct was to grab my cartons and run.

Then I saw Iya Bose, the woman who always undercuts my prices and spreads rumors about me. She was crying, trying to drag her heavy bags of rice alone. Everybody was busy saving their own things.

Something inside me just moved. I dropped my cartons and went to help her. We carried her rice together, then went back for my things. By God's grace, the fire was contained before it reached our shops.

After that day, Iya Bose changed. She stopped the backbiting and even started sending customers to me. She told people, 'Iya Blessing saved my business when her own was at risk.'

I lost some goods that day, but I gained a friend. That experience taught me that community is more valuable than any stock. We are all we've got in this market.