I bought my first Keke NAPEP with NYSC allowance - Female tricycle operator
Peace Obigwe is a graduate of Biochemistry from Caritas University, Enugu, Enugu State. She said she resorted to riding tricycle, popularly known as Keke NAPEP in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as a means of livelihood in order not to stay idle and become vulnerable.
A native of Ogbu in Umueri community in Anambra East Local Government Area, Peace said the thought of venturing into the business of riding a tricycle came up during her service year as a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
She said as a young and enterprising graduate who detested idleness and laziness, she started early to make some savings from her monthly allowance which she eventually used to procure the tricycle soon after she passed out from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“I called a friend to help me make inquiries on the cost of a tricycle. I got a fairly used one which I quickly effected some repairs on before I hit the road. That was exactly in February this year,” she said.
She said among the challenges she faced at the early stage of commencing work as a commercial tricycle operator, was the negative perception people had about her, especially those who were ignorant of her academic attainment.
“When people see me in this business, they think I’m a street girl. But the truth remains that I am not just a graduate of Caritas University, I came out with good grades,” she noted.
She also said another major challenge she faced emanated from the condition of the first tricycle she acquired, which she said made her to visit the mechanic frequently to rectify mechanical faults it kept developing.
“Being a second hand tricycle, it was always breaking down on the way. I can’t count the number of times I repaired the machine along the road, sometimes, under the rain. However, I normally get help from my colleagues.
“Thank God I was able to raise money to buy another one which is far better and newer after disposing of the old one,” she said.
Asked if there are privileges she enjoys in the maledominated business, Peace cheerfully said she hardly paid for the daily tickets collected from all commercial tricycle operators. She said she also enjoys preferential treatment in terms of loading sequence.
“I don’t buy tickets. The union chairman gave me that waiver. Besides, I don’t queue for turns to load passengers. Anytime I come to the park, they always allow me to load. Anyway, I operate between 7am and 11 am and resume at about 3pm to close for the day around 7pm,” she added.
The young graduate who acknowledged the lucrative nature of the business, said she still intends quitting the job anytime something better presents itself. She however said her major concern in the interim is how to raise more money to get a new tricycle, or better still, procure a bus to boost her business.
“I must confess that the thought of white collar job comes often. I have even submitted my credentials in many organisations but have not received any response. I may consider any of them if I am invited,” she explained.
While challenging fellow youths to be engaged in any meaningful venture rather than fold their hands waiting on government for scarce white-collar jobs, Peace argued that passion mixed with determination would be an added advantage to soaring higher in life.