
Money Chronicles showcase the honest money experiences of everyday people who use Cowrywise. We share a story on the 17th of every month. This month’s feature shows how Ezekiel went from begging online to making a resolve to save for a business.
Most people are not taught to save money and invest in their formative years. It can therefore be hard to learn good money habits as an adult.
Cowrywise exists to present a low barrier to entry for anyone to start saving and investing. It doesn’t matter if you just started university, are about to round off your NYSC like Ezekiel, preparing for your next baby, or planning for a business that will be your main source of livelihood. This is the Cowrywise advantage–growing at your pace.
Every month, we will share stories on users who have leveraged Cowrywise to grow their money. Our hope is that these will inspire you to get on the right side of money.
Today, we have the story of Ezekiel; who used Cowrywise to save up to start his business .
Meet Ezekiel.
Hey superstar! Tell us a bit about yourself
I am Oroniyi Ezekiel. I schooled at Osun State Polytechnic and served in Yola in 2018 before relocating to Minna in 2019.
Please, share some context. Why ask for money online?
Last year, I got on Twitter and saw how people were giving out money. I wasn’t sure what prompted all of the “awoof”, but I decided to try if anyone will send me money too. This turned me into a digital beggar and I started begging from one handle to the next. I wasn’t doing it for the fun of it but actually wanted to buy a Direct Image machine and set up a computer business.
Interesting! So when did things change?
I kept retweeting with all my energy but never got anyone to give me money. It got so bad that someone on Twitter called me “Bambiala”. That word pained me so much, but it ended up being a form of reset for me. Coincidentally, in the same period, I discovered Cowrywise.
What prompted you to start saving on Cowrywise?
The next day after I was called “Bambiala”, a lady replied a tweet and thanked Cowrywise for helping her with her money habits. Her handle is @The_Ebira_girl.
@cowrywise App that has been saving me from day one. I love them
— The_Lagos_Ebira_Girl (@The_Ebira_Girl) October 25, 2019
That interested me so I asked her how your platform works and immediately joined your telegram group. I made more enquiries and decided to save for my business (at least ₦5000 ) weekly.
Ayeee! We love people that take action but sticking to a plan can be hard. How were you able to stick to your goal?
It was not easy because I didn’t particularly have a stable income but I did it! The fact that Cowrywise also has strict savings plans helped me stay disciplined. I wasn’t able to break my plan till its maturity date. That way, I was compelled to stick to it and I am proud of that accomplishment. I have saved enough to set up the first phase of my business–a printing press.
I have realized that a kobo can become a thousand and a thousand can turn to a million with a savings plan.

So good! Why did you choose to save for a printing press business?
I worked as a teacher when I stumbled on a printer who made report cards. He looked like he would always have customers because people needed to print around us. I negotiated a part-time internship and he agreed. It was from my little side printing jobs I got money to save each week.
We know this isn’t the end so what’s next for you?
I am going to set up a mini-power plant with my next savings. I have realized that a kobo can become a thousand and a thousand can turn to a million with a savings plan. Thank you, Cowrywise!
Awoof – freebies
Bambiala – beggar
You too can become our star saver in a few months. All it takes is your decision backed up with action and Cowrywise is here to help you stay on track to meet your goals.
If you also have future responsibilities that you will like to save towards, a Cowrywise account will help make that process easy! Also, you get to choose investment plans that suit your lifestyle. Get your money working today.
Got a story to share? Send us a DM here.
I enjoyed every bit of this article. Will return for a second reading.
Whoosh!
Thank you, Edima.
Just bookmark it in your browser for easy access.?
Mobolaji no words just thank you for this beautiful piece!
The push I needed..thank you
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This was worth every minute. A real eye opener. Thank you Cowrywise!
Thanks for reading, Patience!
Thank you.
Sure doing my best to invest and save.
Wow…..I really appreciate your effort on this beautiful savings
☺️
I really enjoy reading your post. Please can you elaborate more on the design thing I do not understand it and if I want to invest for my wife or daughter, how do I go about it thank you.
Hi Oyebanji, it’s easy to invest for your wife and daughter. You can begin investment plans on their behalf with your account or use your referral code to get them to sign up. After they sign up, they can both start investment plans on the platform.
We’ll send you a comprehensive mail shortly.
Please read all about the Design Fund for women here: https://cowrywise.com/blog/investing-in-women/
Applications close on the 25th of March, 2021.
I loved every part of it. I loved how your vulnerability gave you the strength to be financially secured. Thank you so much! I took few notes I will work on.
Awesome! ??
Long but worth the read. I will spend my money better now. I will save and I have just been pushed to invest more than I ever have. Thanks for this piece.
Thanks for reading, Rhoda!
Please can you write every article on the INTERNET!!! This was so relatable yet so informative I felt like I was talking to a friend !!!! I love you already !!!
? Thank you so much, Obianuju.
Insightful!!! I enjoyed how you “gisted” the knowledge.
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Nice article.
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Just what i needed, thank you!
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Beautiful write up.
The “do not eat tomorrows yam” hit the hail harder.
Thank you cowrywise for the many beautiful contents.
Thanks for reading as well, Victoria.
Thank you so much for sharing. I especially love how you delineated the plan to create the plan. Thank you really. This has been so helpful especially at this crossroads I find myself.
So glad it helped.
Wonderful I enjoyed the article
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This is archive worthy. Something you screengrab and then go back to everytime you loose guard
Whoosh! ?
Thank you, Amal.
I tell you
This was lengthy but encompassing, thanks for writing
Thanks for reading, Faith…
Factory setting occurred in my brain. Thank you sir.
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Wow!!! Love this Piece. Truely from a reset brain.
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This is an amazing write up and yeah, an eye opener. And I love the fact that it’s so relatable with the small small vernaculars, lol, e long but e sweet.
“e sweet”!
Haha. Thanks Folajimi
This is proper financial advice. You have mapped out s lot of strategies that will benefit me financially if properly applied as a young professional. Thank you for the sound advice, Mobolaji.
Awesome content! Great push! Thank you very much ma’am ❤️❤️❤️
Nice piece. Really inspiring to me even as a man.
What a nice article .???. You did a great job ma
I want to give you loads of hugs. Your post today couldn’t have come at a more better time. This post reminded me of Andy Mineo’s quote on Vulnerability…It draws people in closer to say ‘me too’. This was certainly the energy booster I needed after running numbers today.
I really enjoyed reading this. I’ll share with the teen girls I mentor. Thank you so much.
Such an insightful piece! You’re a good writer Mobolaji!
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Mobolaji. Thank you very much.
Thank you for providing the materials needed to build a good financial culture.
Insightful and relatable!
You rock!!!!!!!!!!
Deep stuff, useful to both men and women alike!
Thank you for sharing!
I feel like saving this write up somewhere to be reading every month…If I hear say na for women alone…Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you very much for this,
It is very relatable,
Every woman ought to be financially stable to avoid stories that touch,
Thank you once more.
I’m really touched by this guidelines and I see myself becoming greater from this piece ❤️
I enjoyed this article. Every line and wors spoke to me. Thank you so much, i really find this inspiring
I really enjoyed this article , thanks so much
Thank you so much for this❤️
I look forward to implementing what I learnt and reading more of your articles
This Uplifting article is just what I need as a Student who’s trying to be money-wise. Thanks, I’ll be sharing this.
This is really so insightful. Thanks so much, Mobolaji. I’ve got a new perspective
Thank you so much For the piece. May God help me to invest.
Thank you for this piece, I have taken a different path now to wealth creation, but do you or cowryrise offer mentoring programs?