Meet Nigerian Author of Five Books Who Hawks Zobo Drink On The Streets (Photos)

Other than writing and marketing books, a Nigerian author is into some other thing that could be considered intriguing.

Collins Oscar, author of five books, loves hawking a Nigerian beverage popularly called zobo.

Zobo is produced from dried roselle leaves (Hibiscus Sabdariffa). It is said to contain anti-hypertensive properties, and therefore helpful in the management of hypertension. It’s a refreshing drink for families not only in Nigeria, but in West Africa.

Where he lives in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Oscar, 30, is often seen knocking on people’s door, delivering zobo drinks in plastic bottles in well-arranged cellophane packs.

He also distributes the product to stores and supermarkets and hawks it around traffic light in the city.

Mr. Oscar, obviously proud of what he is doing, would take photos of himself handing over the drinks to his customers or soliciting for buyers at the traffic light and then post them on Facebook. And that would stir debates on his brand of entrepreneurship. And then more people would contact him with more delivery request.

“Business is booming,” Mr. Oscar told Premium Times, saying he wasn’t bothered about what people think of his action.

“Being an author isn’t supposed to be a profession; it shouldn’t be because you’ve written a book, you now limit your life,” he said.

“I also did that to challenge people who think that youth in the state are lazy. I did it hoping that it could inspire some guys here to wake up and solve their problems instead of depending on the government,” he added.

The young author still markets and sells his books as much as he does the zobo drinks.

He said the zobo business was a partnership with “a senior friend”. He markets and sells the product, while his friend does the production.

“I told myself that I will make my first N10 million before I become 31,” he said. “I am close to that target.”

Mr. Oscar said he writes books from his life experience such as hawking zobo.

His latest book, 19 Business Lessons I Learnt From A Thief, was inspired when thieves broke into his house and stole his power generating set. He is also the author of the bestselling book, Idiots With B.Sc., which tries to explain why university education in Nigeria “wasn’t bringing out the potentials from the students”.

The author enjoys a lot of support from the youth in the state.

– Premium Times