Mango explosion hits Abuja

Smack, smack went the lips of three year-old Mary Ekpeyong as she delightfully struggled to scoop spoonfuls into her mouth out of a mango slightly larger than her head. “More, aunty more,” she cried out as she exhausted what she had before her. “I have not bought as much mangoes in one week as I […]

Smack, smack went the lips of three year-old Mary Ekpeyong as she delightfully struggled to scoop spoonfuls into her mouth out of a mango slightly larger than her head. “More, aunty more,” she cried out as she exhausted what she had before her.

“I have not bought as much mangoes in one week as I am doing this year since she (Mary) became sort of addicted to it,” said Miss Eme Ekpeyong, who is Mary’s aunty. “I am happy she is eating it a lot because of the nutritional value.”

It’s not very different for Mr. Bright Ekwe, a public servant who has taken it upon himself to ensure that his fridge knows no shortage of mangoes. “At any point in time I have no less than ten pieces of mangoes in my fridge in three different species: the very big ones, the cherry ones and the smaller ones popularly known as kerosene mango. I’m not necessarily buying more mangoes now than I did before. Maybe I’m buying more of the big ones than I did before but that’s about it.”

“I usually buy mangoes whenever they are in season. The only difference this year is that I am eating more of the big ones. Rain hasn’t fallen enough on the mangoes so they are not yet as sweet as they can be,” said Mrs. Hadiza Bello. “That’s the reason I am not buying too many. It’s only the big ones that are sweet for now and even then some are sour.”

Suleiman Mohammed, who sells mango, told Weekly Trust that last year, people bought mangoes in more quantity than they are doing this year. “Last year, if I bought mangoes, before I am done washing them; people would have literarily bought them up. I realised I was stocking up every day. But this year, I stuck up every two or three days. Even as I speak to you I have not been able to sell half of the lot I bought yesterday.

The 27 year-old trader in Utako market said people buy the small ones more than the big ones, he also said that the small ones do have ropes in them. Some people buy and prefer the small ones, because they are sweeter than the big ones. And he also added that he usually goes to Mararaba orange market to buy them.

The traders complained that the price this year per basket is almost double the rate at which they bought last year. “Last year a basket went for N700, or N800 at the most. But this year the price has gone up to N1,500 and N1,800 sometimes. By the timer we include cost of transportation, profit and all necessary factors to be considered the price tag is as high as N100 per unit for the big ones. The small ones we usually sell three or four for N100,” said another mango seller who would not give his name.

He said this year many of them are counting losses because the mangoes perish when they are not sold out in good time. He added that he always washed them very well before putting them in the basket. “But most times I always put the mangoes in the basket to preserve it from flies which normally perch on it.”

The lamentation is the same for Salisu Muhammad, who sells mangoes and other fruits at the Mararaba fruit market. “People have not been buying mangoes this year. I don’t know the cause of this. People usually buy the small ones, more than the big ones, because customers do prefer the ones that they will easily carry with no much weight on them.”

To preserve them, the 32 year-old wholesaler says he buys a number of unripe ones which he keeps in a basket and covers them with leaves. “This way they become ripe within few days. I sell them for between N2000 to N2500, depending on the bargaining power of my customer.”

Mangoes are described as one of the richest tropical fruits because of its abundant nutritional contents. Often described as the ‘King of Fruits’ mangoes come in as many as 1000 different varieties.

Speaking on the health benefits of mango, Miss Yemisi Olowookere, a dietician at the Garki Hospital, Abuja described mango as a nourishing fruit and one of the most delicious and refreshing sweet juicy tropical fruits.

“It is a fresh fruit with the greatest vitamin A content. The fruit contains Carotenoids which convert vitamin A within the body. These are potent anti-oxidants that neutralize oxidizing free radicals which are responsible for cellular aging. Vitamin A is essential to the maintenance of epithelial tissues, such as the skin and mucosa that line the body’s internal systems.”

She added that mangoes are a good source of Vitamins C and E and also have significant amounts of Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and niacin as well as contain minerals. “Potassium is most notable with smaller amounts of magnesium and iron. They are good sources of soluble fibre depending on the specie. Some are very rich in fibre, which helps the system to move the bowels. Eating a variety with the back enhances the fibre content.”

“Mango nourishes the skin and protects the arteries. It is also recommended in retinal condition and hypertension.” She however said that though they appear to be safe, mangoes should be taken moderately, “because taking excess will lead to weight gain.”

When Weekly Trust drew the attention of Mrs. Hilda Ameh, who has just begun taken the fruit in large portions, to what dieticians say about consuming mangoes in excess, she was visibly worried. “Two weeks ago, I started eating three of the large ones every day as starter. I am so comfortable with it. But to hear that it will actually make me add weight, which I am trying to get rid of, it is disheartening.”