February 11, (THEWILL) – Awara, a local delicacy made from Soybean, is now in hot demand in many parts of Kano metropolis, no thanks to the prevailing hunger situation in the country.
Investigation by our Correspondent revealed that Awara, which is fried with groundnut oil or vegetable oil just like Kosai (Akara) or Fancake, has become a staple diet among the local populace, second only to rice and beans, or Tuwo, which is made from maize, sorghum or rice.
Before now, Awara was largely consumed as a snack in parts of the hugely populated commercial city.
Our checks through some areas including markets, streets and some corridors in the city, found that people, especially the youths, have turned to Awara because it is cheaper when compared to rice and beans, Tuwo or Jollof rice.
It was gathered that the sum of N200 or N300 can fetch a customer a plate of the delicacy to be eaten for breakfast, lunch or even dinner, depending on the need at the time.
In some eating joints, the findings further revealed that Awara is fried with eggs or combined with some spices such as pappy, Salad and cucumber, which makes the plate richer.
One of the consumers, Kabiru Sahibi, told our Correspondent that he buys Awara almost daily and eats it for breakfast or for lunch, depending on the situation.
“In the morning in particular, I buy Awara for N200, in place of Kosai (Akara), which I can no longer afford now. But the N200 Awara satisfies me, at least to a certain extent”, the 20-year-old consumer said.
Another customer, Usman Mahir, says he buys the delicacy for lunch every other day because he finds it cheaper than rice and beans.
“With my N300, I buy Awara for lunch in the afternoon, as against my usual jollof rice, which is beyond my reach now. I find Awara cheaper and satisfying”, Mahir said.
A Seller of the delicacy, Uwani Garba, said she is making brisk business selling Awara to her customers, raking in about N20,000 per day.
“Before, I was frying and selling Kosai, but I had to switch over to Awara because of the soaring price of beans, which now sells for N2,500 per measure.
“But Soybean costs cheaper, selling at N1,300 per measure. I buy two or three measures of Soybean from which I make Awara, and I thank God I am making good profit from the business,” Garba said.
Recall that Governor Abba Yusuf of the state, last week, raised an alarm over the prevailing hunger situation in the state, describing the trend as disturbing.
The Governor, who raised the alarm during a meeting with members of the business community in the state, said he would ask President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address the hunger situation in the state.
“I will personally go and ask President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and check the prevailing hunger situation in Kano State, so as to save our people from starvation.
“We know that other parts of the country are experiencing the same thing, but we will make a case for Kano State, being our constituency”, he said.
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
