My life struggles as polythene bag seller sleeping under bridges — NCE distinction graduate

Emmanuel Godsent, an NCE distinction graduate selling polythene bags in Abuja, speaks with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about his decision to return a lost phone despite grappling with unemployment.

What do you do for a living?

My name is Emmanuel Godsent. I hawk polythene bags in Utako market Abuja.

There was a social media post about you returning a missing phone, can you confirm its accuracy?

It is very true. What happened was that I don’t have much money for business these days, but I have a savings account with UBA Bank and wanted to check if I had any money in it. So, I went to Utako to check my account because I don’t have an Android phone that receives alerts. When I checked, I had only N19 left in my account. So, I had to come back. As I was returning, I had to pass through another road. While passing through the express on a street, I saw a phone on the ground. When I saw the iPhone, I picked it up from the ground. I showed the phone to a nearby driver who claimed it was for one of his passengers. I asked how he knew it was for his passenger.

In a short while, I tapped the screen and saw a lady’s face. Then I saw some people crossing to the other side, and I felt one of them may be the owner. So, I went to the other side of the road. There was a plaza on that side named Best Plaza, and I started asking around. A lady selling buns and egg rolls said she knew the owner, and I asked if she could help me reach out to her. While I was communicating with her, the phone rang. I quickly told the caller I was at Best Plaza. Somehow, they communicated with the owner, and she came to the place and collected the phone.

When I gave them the phone, they appreciated me. As I was leaving, they called me back and said I should take something. I told them not to worry because I didn’t do it for money. It was from the heart. I don’t know if it was the lady’s brother, but he insisted I wait. He took a photo of me and asked for my account number since they didn’t have cash and were looking for a POS.

I realised the phone probably fell when she was trying to cross the road. Later, the lady came looking for me with my photo on her phone. My neighbour in the market said she had her phone number, and I connected to her. She came to thank me, saying she wanted to buy me a Bontel phone, which she fulfilled.

What is the name of the owner of the phone?

Oluwanifemi Fiyin.

Can you confirm if they sent you any money after taking your account details?

Yes, and I must say that what the lady gave me was more than I expected. She could have shared the account number with some of her friends because I received credit alerts from people. I received a lot of appreciation from her friends last night and this morning. Some sent N1,000, N5,000, N10, 000; one even sent N25,000, and another sent N2,000. I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know how to thank the lady.

How do you perceive the impact of returning the phone on your character?

Well, I can’t say because returning the phone is natural to me, as it is the right thing to do, but this time around, it has been very rewarding. I don’t know how to explain it. I want to thank God for everything. Nobody knew me before, so I never really expected people to be calling me or taking my pictures or whatever.

How much have you received so far?

I’ve so far gotten N215,000.

How do you feel about this?

I called the lady today and appreciated her because she gave me her number. She had called me to ask whether I received anything, so I called to thank her. I’m even expecting her call. She has been very nice.

Do you think that returning the phone has changed your life?

Very well, very well. It was a very big thing that I can’t explain, and I know that God will do more.

You said that you hawk polythene bags, are you educated?

Yes, I hawk because I don’t have a shop, and I don’t have money to rent one. I am educated. I’m a distinction graduate. I studied Mathematics at the College of Education Benin, Igueben branch, I am a graduate, and I have an NCE.

Why have you chosen to sell polythene bags despite achieving a first-class degree?

Life happens. I’m hawking because I am unable to get a job. I’ve searched for jobs, but I have not been lucky to find one. I used to work as a teacher at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Staff School. After a while, I wanted better work to earn better pay, as my salary was N22,000 back in 2015. I have, however, not been able to get that.

What year did you graduate?

I graduated in 2012.

How old are you and where are you from?

I’m 33 years. I’m from Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo state.

What sparked your interest in mathematics and led you to pursue it as a course?

My interest in mathematics began in Primary Five. One day, my teacher and another teacher were trying to solve a maths problem on the board. I vividly remember it was a question about Mensuration, which involves calculating parameters of shapes like perimeter, area, and volume. As they struggled with the solution, I came up with an answer using a different method. My teacher was so impressed that he sent a letter to the head teacher, who rewarded me with twenty Naira that year. This was a significant motivation for me. From that moment on, I developed a strong interest in calculations and began solving similar problems regularly.

When I moved to Abuja, I hoped that friends or someone could accommodate me and help me find a job. Unfortunately, I couldn’t secure employment and no one could accommodate me. So, I started living under a bridge with others who offered water to passers-by. Eventually, I joined their business and started hawking sachet water. From there, I progressed to selling polythene bags.

Where is your family?

My dad is late but my mom is alive.

I’m the one my family is looking up to.

How long have you been selling polythene bags and sachet water?

I’ve been hawking since 2015 when I came to Abuja. I stopped hawking pure water in 2020 during the coronavirus outbreak. That was when I had to look for something else to sell and why I started hawking polythene bags.

How have you been sustaining yourself, or is there much profit in selling polythene bags?

It has been difficult to sustain myself. I don’t want to remain idle; the profit margin is low.

Are there any plans or goals you have in mind?

I want to be a farmer. If God establishes me properly as I want, I want to be a very prosperous farmer.

Where do you stay currently?

I stay with a good friend here in Abuja who ended up accommodating me as I can’t afford to get rent for myself.

How long have you been staying with him?

It has been over a year now.

Where were you staying before you moved into his apartment?

I was staying under the bridge for a day per person.

How long did you reside under the bridge?

I stayed under different bridges in Abuja, from Area 3 to Wuse, etc. I spent several months in some, and I think I stayed under the Wuse bridge for a year.

Were you not worried about being attacked?

I see it as a way of life. I have to be strong and face my fears. I was brought up very differently. My mum raised me with strong moral values. She is resilient despite being uneducated and poor. She raised us well with good morals. My dad has passed away, so I have to struggle to earn a living. I am the eldest son, and I have two siblings.

What do your siblings do?

My sister, the firstborn, had issues in her marriage. She is now divorced and back in the village in Edo State where my mum lives. My younger brother should have graduated by now from Nigeria Maritime University, but he hasn’t fully graduated because we owe some money. He has been in debt, so we haven’t completed his clearance. He graduated last year, but we haven’t been able to finalise the clearance. I think it’s about N180,000.

Who sponsored you when you were in school?

My mum also sponsored me when I was in school. She also goes to a farm to work for people, so there is some support for us. When we were in school (my siblings and I), we worked for people. We supported ourselves. For instance, when I was in school, I used to go to the bush and set traps for animals. Sometimes I would catch a bush animal, sell it, and use the money to pay for school bills.

What kind of help do you need currently?

I think the help I would be grateful for is getting capital for an agricultural business. From what people have told me, I can start growing some crops if I can raise the needed capital. Between yesterday and now, I have received N216,000 in my account as gifts from people. With this, I can start a business and improve my situation.

What are you most grateful for currently?

I am grateful to God for granting me a heart that loves justice and righteousness as a Christian. Also, I am thankful to God because He has granted me the opportunity to do good to someone who can reward good deeds. I have returned several items I found before, that is the truth. I have helped many people in the past, but I have not seen rewards like I am experiencing now.