Katangowa Market is no longer a market for the poor. Even the rich, especially women come round to pick wait for it; used bras, panties girdles and waist bands, which they claim last longer than new ones, writes Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Call her Mama Okrika and you may not be wrong. Mrs Onyeka, mother of six, prides herself as “a sort of expert” in picking “Grade A” second hand clothes, either for herself or her children.
She picks virtually everything; from pants, bras, undies, trousers, shirts, singlets, belts, and shoes from Katangowa, Lagos’ largest second hand clothes market located at Abule Egba.
Married to a junior worker in one of the local councils in Lagos, Mrs Onyeka says the market is her last hope for fairly used durable clothes as her family cannot afford new clothes. For her, only those who get to market early, get fair deals.
Katangowa, an Hausa word which literally means a market for everything, has been in existence since the early 80s and is known all over the state as a market for fairly used clothing, shoes, and other daily need products.
Despite the ban on second hand clothes, a stricter regime of enforcement and the closure of borders, which has left the business clutching at straws, Katangowa market still retain its bubble.
Dealers of used clothes, popularly known as Okrika admitted that the market has been on upswing. Many of the traders attributed this steady patronage to the durability of the clothes, especially ladies’ underwear clothing.
The traders insisted that no new pant, girdle, tight, bra, boxer-shot, singlet, among others, could be compared to used stuff.
They added that the Okrika business had come to stay due to the patronage from low and medium income Nigerians who formed a huge patron of the market. Incidentally, the well-to-do, also patronise the market.
Uchechukwu Ndukwe, a bra dealer at the market said the ban on used clothes in the country by the Federal Government notwithstanding, used clothes business would continue to be lucrative.
“I must be honest with you that in spite of the challenge of bringing the clothes into the country, a dealer is made when he or she opens a bale packed with almost new stuff, especially when they are ladies’ under wears.
“This stuff is known in the business as “First Grade” and they are the toast of most well-to-do in the society. Some of them deposit money in advance for such stuff,” Ndukwe said.
He said that Monday, Wednesday and Friday were the days the bales were opened.
Asked why people patronise the second hand market, Ndukwe said “many believed that used clothing is more durable and last longer than new ones.
Somehow, this has been proved to be so and our customers have continued to come back for more, insisting that the good quality clothes they picked from us lasts longer and looks better and in fact cheaper than new ones.”
Innocent Uyi, in Arena Shopping Complex located in Oshodi, Lagos, said he initially sold both new and used clothes but discontinued the selling of new clothes because customers preferred the Okrika stuff because it is more durable.
Uyi said some petty traders in the business, especially those from outside Lagos, deposit money in advance for “first grade pants, bra and others which they resell.”
“Most high class customers prefer designer wears such as Next, Prada, Marks and Spencer, Dolche Gabana and others.
Read Also: Why we’re relocating computer village, by Lagos
“The demand for Okrika pant and girdle is very encouraging and my customers get value for their money.
“First Grade designer pant sells from N800 per pant, while bra costs N1,300 and above, but it is only those that know the worth that go for them.
“The clothes are no longer for the poor only, but also for those you will never imagine will ever visit the market for such items.
“With as little as N100, everyone has something to take home,” he said.
A customer, Priscilla Briggs, said she preferred the pants and would not feel ashamed buying it in the market.
Briggs said she no longer go for new bra and pants because they do not stand the test of time.
“As you can see, I picked the underwears because I am sure of getting good quality here which new ones cannot give me, and I don’t mind the price.
“Although the grade determines the price, but N5,000 can give you three good pants and two bra,” she said.
She noted that she usually soak and wash any item bought at the market with disinfectant to prevent one from contracting disease.
Ebele Uzochukwu, a middle aged woman said her large breasts forced her to start patronising the market because it was difficult to get cheap, new quality bra.
According to Uzochukwu, she was shocked the first time she got to the market when she saw that with as little as N1,000, she could get a used bra that can stand the test of time.
“Until I discovered this market, I buy new bra almost every month, due to my big breasts and they slack on time, but for the used bra, the strap and cup are stronger and packs my breast better,” she said.
On the contrary, a girl who simply gave her name as Faith said she would never use Okrika underwears, as one could get skin infection through them.
Faith said she patronised new underwears and whenever they wear out, she replaced them as it was advisable to change underwear regularly.
The undergraduate added that she bought wholesale from Idumota, Lagos where three pieces of pants were sold for N2,600.
“I believe that used clothes are condemned items and no longer good for use,” she said.
Meanwhile, a general medical practitioner, who did not want her name in print, advised those who patronise all brands of used items, particularly underwears to wash them thoroughly with disinfectant before use.
She said proper washing would get rid of bacteria, adding that such items should be exposed to the sun very well before use.
- Ifeanyichukwu works with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Leave a Reply