Gladys Adija, a 27-year-old single mother of two, has turned heads with her entrepreneurial journey.
Instead of splurging her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance during her service year in Plateau State, she diligently saved every penny, as she is now the proud owner of a thriving food business.
Gladys, in an interview with PUNCH, shared her story of resilience and determination. She recounted how, despite facing criticism for her frugal lifestyle, she stuck to her savings plan.
Living with a friend near her assignment location helped her cut down on expenses. Even though she only spent N8,000 monthly, she managed to save a whopping N320,000 from her NYSC allowance.
Gladys further emphasized the importance of financial discipline and prioritizing long-term goals over immediate gratification.
“I still struggled to meet my friend’s standards of living. To make ends meet, I took on cleaning and washing jobs, as well as tutoring children for extra income. Though my friends mocked me for my frugal lifestyle at the time, I am grateful for where I am today,” Gladys expressed.
“Nevertheless, while I was serving, my child was in the care of my parents. Therefore, my NYSC experience was not a pleasant one, which is why I always advise women to avoid engaging in premarital sex,” she added.
She concluded that she is proud to say that her sacrifices have paid off as she presently runs her own food business.
