Nigeria: After serving Borno state as teacher for 35 years, Man hawks to survive

Al-Amin Shettima Bello, a Borno man who served the government as a teacher for 35 years and retired, is now hawking mentholated robb along the streets of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital to survive.

Shettima Bello, who speaks good English, said he was taught by the British and appreciated their immense contribution to the education of people like him. 

He said during his school days, there were only few Blacks who are teachers namely: the late Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Shettima Kashim and late Shettima Mustapha Kutai (Father to the Current Senator Representing Borno Central in the Green Chamber, Kashim Shettima).

Malam Belle who shared his story with Newsmen along the roadside said Professor Bosoma Sheriff of the University of Maiduguri was his school mate.

“Professor Bosoms was ahead of me by one year because he completed his primary education in 1966 while I completed in 1967. He is older than me in class, not by age. ” Bello said.

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Speaking about his education he said, ” I started schooling in Yerwa Central and completed class 4 in 1955 where I proceeded to Trade Business and trained as a carpenter. I worked as a carpenter for several years before my parents decided that I go back to school again. I went to Old Bama Primary School and completed in 1967 where I proceeded to Borno Teachers College.”

Bello who always stationed himself around the First Bank ATM centre at the Maiduguri Monday Market said it was strategic to take a position where people who came to withdraw can be approached easily and market his products.

He explained that hawking ‘Mentholated rub’ is the business he chooses to do looking at his income and people’s needs especially during the seasons.

” Teaching is an exciting job but there is no money for teaching. It is a sacrifice. Now that I retire, I can only help myself with a little from this business rather than being dependent on people.” He said.

Shettima Bello believed that there are many of his classmates who are doing well out there who may not have remembered him or know that he is still existing.