In a country where the life expectancy of an average Nigerian man is put at 46, it is rare to find an agile 80-year old, still plying a particular trade.
But it is not only the age that makes the case of 80-year-old Phillip Ohwonije an interesting one. He is the head of a cane-weaving family that comprises his wife, Elizabeth, and his twin sons, Austin and Abadenego.
Born in 1930 and hails from Ugheli North, Delta State, Phillip told PUNCH METRO at his workshop at Cane Village, Maryland, Lagos that he joined the business in 1989.
He said he did not learn cane-weaving but had to rely on his carpentry skill, which made it possible for him to divert to the business.
Asked how good the business is, the octogenarian said he used proceeds from the business to train three of his children in the university, one of whom had just graduated.
Despite his age, Phillip said there was “no break in this job (cane-weaving)” and would be willing to keep on going as long as his mental alertness could carry him.
The octogenarian said, “My first job was carpentry and joinery in (Gold Coast) Ghana. I had my workshop here (Cane Village) as a carpenter. I started marking frames and after a while I properly joined this trade. When I saw that the trade was booming, I decided to make it my permanent occupation. I did not learn the trade. I started with the carpentry skill I had acquired.
Read more: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011024242725
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