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Abattoir business: How I earn a living through butchering – Nwodo

The art of butchering is an enterprise that fetches income for those who cared to venture into it. Samuel Nwodo, is one of such butchers…

The art of butchering is an enterprise that fetches income for those who cared to venture into it. Samuel Nwodo, is one of such butchers at the cattle market in Amansea, near Awka, the Anambra State capital. In this interview, 46-year old Nwodo from Enugu state spoke of how he went into butchering and what he makes of it.

 

How did you find yourself in this business?

 

I have been a farmer in my state planting rice before I joined my brother in Onitsha, Anambra state. Because of lack of space for planting there, I resorted to clearing land for other farmers. It was in course of doing that that I gradually developed interest in cow slaughtering as I kept on observing those who were into the business anytime I visited the abattoir.

 

What does it take to slaughter a cow?

It takes me eight solid hours to slaughter a cow. Though I go along with one or two boys sometimes who I pay within the range of N1,000 to N1,500 each, depending on the size of the cow. With two knives, a big and a small one for cutting the parts, you are good to go. I hardly slaughter cows for commercial purposes. It is purely on private arrangements like those organising weddings, burial, coronation, etc.

 

Are there challenges you encounter on the job?

Actually, there is risk in the job. You know you are dealing with an animal, a powerful one for that matter. Sometimes, you will be injured in the process. In fact, one of us had lost his eye while battling to slaughter a cow. It takes extra carefulness while carrying out the task. Imagine an animal that collided with a truck and still stood while the truck fell. Besides, the business is not a lucrative one.

One of the reasons is that it is very expensive. Not very many people can afford it compared to goat.  Besides, it is seasonal. Sometimes, I can stay up to two weeks before I can get a job, sometimes two in a month. It depends on the season.

 

What makes you happy doing the job despite the risk?

Anytime I am appreciated by my customers, I am very happy. I get meat as gift from my customers when I do their job. Most times I slaughter a cow, I hardly spend money on meat as it takes my family some weeks to finish the quantity. Some of my clients also take care of my meal that day. But one thing I swore I will never do is to divert any piece of meat for my personal use while doing my job, as some of my colleagues do. I view it as sacrilegious if one is caught stealing meat from a cow he is slaughtering. I think that is why I do get jobs more than some of my colleagues.

 

What would you say to those who are idle?

It is foolishness for one to be idle especially during these hard times of recession. I wonder why people would prefer to beg rather than engage in any form of work, no matter the pay. For me, the most shameful thing to do is to beg. People should have some level of dignity and respect for themselves so they won’t be ridiculed.

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