Meet Akwa Ibom graduate who sells newspapers in the streets of Uyo

Mr Ofonime Udi

By UbongAbasi Okon

Mr Ofonime Alfred Udi, from Afaha Ofot community in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, is a newspaper vendor.

Mr Udi, who sells newspaper along major roads in Uyo, stands out from other vendors because of his neat dressing – he usually wears a black suit while walking along the road, selling the newspapers.

But unknown to many people, Mr Udi is a 2007 graduate of Physical and Health Education, Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit.

A newspaper publisher in Akwa Ibom, Uyime Ekwere took to Facebook on recently to celebrate Mr Udi as his “Newspaper Vendor of the Year”.

Mr Ekwere said the vendor’s ambition of furthering his education was cut short when he lost his father in 2008, thereby forcing him to go into the business of selling newspapers.

Life has become difficult for Mr Udi lately because of poor sales caused by the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, Mr Ekwere said.

“He needs to be encouraged,” Mr Ekwere added.