Mr Adedeji Osunsanmi is the managing director of Dejavou Phones Link, the pioneer member of Olugbede Model Market GSM dealers, member of the BOT and executive officer of Olugbede Model Market, the fastest growing ICT market in Lagos State in this interview with the publisher of The Alimosho Mail Newspaper Mr Abel Lazarus reveals the economic importance, the need for Alimosho communities to patronize Olugbede Model Marketand the challenges of the Olugbede Market.
Excerpts:
TAM: Can we meet you sir?
AO: My name is Mr Adedeji Osusanmi, managing director Dejavoo Phone Link, a trader and dealer of telephones and accessories, a member of the BOT and an executive officer of Olugbede Model Market.
TAM: How long have you been in Olugbede Model Market?
AO: I have been in business in Olugbede market since 2005 though have had reason to be within the confines of the market for a very long time.
TAM: How did you get into phone business?
AO: I started phone business before GSM came into Nigeria, my father then had a cyber-cafe on Idimu road and we were always there helping him out that was how I got interested in IT and networking. Then we created a session in the cafe where we started selling phones, we were among the first set of people to sell GSM phones the era of Motorola Talkabout, Sagem etc.
TAM : How would you rate the patronage of Olugbede Model Market?
AO: The patronage has been quite encouraging though cannot be compared with the Ikeja Computer Village as it remains the major ICT hub, however Olugbede is growing very fast and it’s benefits to the Alimosho communities are monumental, by empowering most of Alimosho youths as their means of livelihood and even helping others meet with their educational needs. Majority of these boys selling songs would probably be idle if this opportunity is not here as some of them would not have been able to find their feet in computer village, I know several of them who are under going various courses in different higher institutions.
For residents of Alimosho’ Olugbede remains more economical, time and stress saving; especially with the recent traffic going to Computer village to buy same phones or accessories that are likely to be sold for same amount or even lesser here in Olugbede.
TAM: Would you guarantee buyers on getting quality products in Olugbede?
AO: Yes, the issue of substandard product is not peculiar to Olugbede market rather it’s a national problem as Nigeria has been seen by China and her likes as dumping ground where all products are allowed. The standard organizations have more jobs to do in curbing the rate of this menace.
Every business man desires profit and when there such avenues of selling substandard phones some may explore it for their interest, another challenge is that buyers often time do not understand or know what they really want, for many all they want is a phone that is affordable not minding the standard may be by the economy effect.
For us at Dejavoo Phone Link we try to make customers understand that we sell only quality phones be it fairly used or brand new, our mission is to render quality service to any of our customers but because of slight price difference a customer might go elsewhere and see similar phone for far lesser amount and he or she buys it after few weeks he or she returns to the market crying foul.
TAM: What are the challenges of the business ?
AO: The major challenge remains the high level substandard products in the market.
TAM: Any partnership with major phone producers?
AO: Dejavou Phone Link is accredited agent of Samsung mobiles and also we have in the past partnered with TECHNO Mobile but the challenge now is that products are not regulated in Nigeria, anyone can import phones unlike other countries where there are strict regulations on products which helps to curb substandard products.
TAM: who would you say has influenced you in your business?
AO: I have been opportune to meet lots of great people whom I have regards for and learnt few things from that has helped in shaping me in business, one of such persons is Hon. Segun Adewala aka aeroland, his advice and way of doing business remains an influence. His ideology is there is no excuse for failure hence to be successful you must be diligent and focus which today has made him to top his industry.
TAM: Have you been able to train anyone on this trade and what are your advice to younger ones that want to join the trade?
AO: I have been able to train over 50 boys to date and still very much eager to do even more, some of the boys I trained have left the country while some are still in computer village, my younger brother that spent about ten years with me just left last year and they are all doing well, my advice for younger ones is that they should try to be honest and hardworking in this business because that’s the only way of succeeding in this trade . As a starter if you are known to be trustworthy people can release their goods to you on sale and return basis which will help any serious person grow very fast. The ICT business is very lucrative for as many that are willing to go into it.
TAM: What are your appeals to Alimosho residents and investors?
AO: The truth is that for everyone living in Alimosho today, Olugbede Model Market belongs to all of us and the need to patronize and promote it is our collective responsibilities. Today the market is helping to curb social vices among the youths as majority of the them are using the avenue to find their legitimate source of livelihood hence the need for everyone to patronize Olugbede market. To investors and manufacturers of phones, they should embrace the market by creating avenues for dealership and franchise which will also help in curbing substandard products. With the population of Alimosho, Olugbede Market can become even bigger than computer village if the appropriate investment are done which will in turn mean a wealth creation center and source of income to both governments and individuals thereby attracting development to Alimosho.
