They are visible in most big markets across Lagos. Clutching
the tools of their trade- a large tray, a pair of rain booths and a piece of
cloth- the women of varying ages and sizes eke their livings carrying loads for
people who buy goods in large quantities.
At the popular Mile 12 Market in Lagos, the women, popularly
known as Alabo, are unmistakable. Comprising
women of different ages, but mostly older women, the Alabo at the market have different tales behind their decisions to
make their living carrying loads at the market.
While their tales differ in most cases, the common
denominator is poverty. For them, it is more honourable to engage in such
seemingly demeaning jobs than begging on the streets or resort to stealing.
With a rare ability to spot a potential customer from the
distance, an Alabo would approach the
customer with a promise to assist him or her to ferry the goods to where the
customer may have parked his or her car.
How much is charged is determined by the size of the load,
distance and most times, the magnanimity of the customer to pay ‘good’ money.
Interestingly, a large number of the women, who in most cases are the
breadwinner of their individual families, come from as far as Oyo and Osun
States to ‘come and hustle’ in Lagos.
But while they prefer to carry loads at the market to
begging or stealing, most of them, if not all, don’t disclose their profession
to their families back home. The little their family members know of them is
that they are in Lagos to ‘hustle’.
A source at the market who spoke with The Nation said:
“These women don’t disclose their professions to their families back home. All
they disclosed would be that they are coming to Lagos to hustle. But the truth
is that the women are very hard working. And when they travel home during any
festival, you could mistake them for very successful business women in Lagos.”
On this day, amidst the hustling, buying and selling at the
Mile 12 market, Madam Asake stood at an isolated spot watching her mates
struggle for business. Even if she loved to join in the struggle, her strength
would allow her. For her, such scenario has become the regular feature of her
life as a load carrier.
