How Wuraola, holder of B.A, PGDE, survives by selling kunu

Tell us about yourself.My name is Oyindasola Wuraola. I reside in Gonin-gora, an area in Kaduna South. I have a diploma in Mass Communication 2002 and a B.A in Theatre Arts 2007 from University of Jos. I also have a PGD in Education from National Teachers Institute (NTI) 2012 and I am presently a masters […]

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Oyindasola Wuraola. I reside in Gonin-gora, an area in Kaduna South. I have a diploma in Mass Communication 2002 and a B.A in Theatre Arts 2007 from University of Jos. I also have a PGD in Education from National Teachers Institute (NTI) 2012 and I am presently a masters degree student at the University of Jos.
So what are you doing at present?
I graduated in 2007 and served in 2008 but after my NYSC, I looked for job, I attended various interviews without any positive response. So, I just told myself that I can’t just sit down like that without doing anything, I thought of doing something and starting in my own little way to assist myself and the society. Then I started production of kunu, I produce in large quantity and also supply to people who resell. I also have people that distribute for me and that was why I said I am trying to give back to the society. I was encouraged by my husband and I started the business precisely in February last year (2012). I started small, hoping to see what was going to come out of it and as God will have it, people liked it and that was what gave me joy because it was accepted.
So between 2009 and 2012, what were you doing?
I was teaching before but I was not satisfied with the job and even the treatment; so I told myself that it is better to be self employed.
What kind of kunu do you make and what ingredients do you use?
I make kunu-zaki from millet. I put all the necessary ingredients like ginger, sweet-potatoes, kananfari etc.
How and where do you sell your product?
I started selling from the Church and I started with about 20 bottles. I sell each bottle for N50 and to my surprise, the first time I took the kunu to Church, they finished it all and that how I started increasing the quantity.
Now, I don’t only sell that of N50, I also have for 4 litres sold for N400, 2 litres for N200, I litre Eva bottle for N100 and I have the smaller bottles but I only sell those smaller bottles on request maybe for naming ceremonies, weddings, PTA meetings and so on. Averagely, I produce 200 bottles of different sizes at a go. For people who come to buy wholesale, I give to them at the rate of N40 to resell at N50. I also render home service, while I take my product especially the 4 litres to banks.
Another good thing about the business is that, even the waste from the millet after sieving; that is the chaff is also a source of income. We have people who book it and it is sold in measures; I sell each measure for N50 while I get over 50measure any time I produce en mass.
Who thought you how to make the Kunu?
I will return the glory to my mother because I learnt how to make it from my mum.
So like how much will it cost to start this kind of business?
One needs about N5,000 to start the kunu business because apart from the raw materials, you need to buy bottles, cooler at least where there is no refrigerator or deep freezer. You also need to buy ice block to keep the product cool, if not, the consumers will not get maximum satisfaction. You must also ensure that you have a steady source of clean water because the bottles must be clean, the environment must be clean and you also need water to make the kunu. In view of this, I don’t make use of water directly from the tap, I allow the water to settle down while I sieve before using.
In what way has this business helped you?
It has helped me to assist my family in my own little way and also some of my younger ones whom I sponsor in school.
Are there challenges associated with this business?
Capital is the number one challenge; you need capital to do the business on a large scale. Erratic power supply and distribution of the product is a challenge because for now, I use the family car for the distribution of the kunu, which is even small because it is a small car and also without electricity to cool the product, the goods get spoilt but if it is well refrigerated, it can last for one week and even more.
How far do you intend to go in this business?
I want to see myself as an employer of labour because I need many hands to do this business on a large scale. Presently, I have people who sieve the millet for me after grinding and I pay them N700. Now, I make use of over 25measures of millet at a go which is definitely too much for one person to sieve. I also  make sure that the environment where I produce my product is clean.

What was your dream back in school? If there was an opportunity for you to work, what would you have done?
I had wanted to be a newscaster, I wanted to work in a media house or if that was not going to work, I had wanted to work as a public relations officer but I really love and appreciate what I am doing now. In fact, what I am producing now is not enough because the demand is more than the supply, so I see a future in what I am doing.
Do you have any regret, going to school and not getting a job and do you apply your knowledge of mass communication to your business?
I have no regret because God is really helping me in this business. I am surely applying my knowledge of communication to my business because relationship with customers is very key to the success of any business.
Are you aware of soft loans for entrepreneurs?
Yes, I am aware and I tried to get but it’s not just forth coming. For now, my kitchen is my little factory, so I see myself having a bigger place and a standby generator.
What is your advice to young graduates out there who are still waiting for white collar jobs? What is also your call to government?
My advice to them is to start something and just believe in that thing because it is not everybody that is fortunate to get a white collar job. They should just look around them and think of what is marketable so that they can become self reliant and also contribute their own quota to the society. To the government, I will say they should try to make soft loans available and easily accessible for graduates who are into entrepreneurship.