The saying that what a man can do, a woman can do even better, is made manifest in the life of Joy
Amarachi Ihezie, a Sociology graduate of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar, Cross River State.After graduating from university Miss Ihezie took up Keke riding as a means of survival while looking for better job opportunities.
In a chat with Daily Query in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, Ihezie explained why she decided to go into the transportation business and what her future plans are.
From IKECHUKWU NNADI, Enugu
Excerpts
Let’s start by introducing ourselves. This female keke driver, albeit a graduate, is?
My name is Joy Amarachi Ihezie, from Obowu Local Government Area of Imo State. I reside in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
I studied Sociology at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in Cross River State, from where I graduated in 2015.
An impressive resume, one must agree. But how come you drive Keke Marwa for a living?
After my graduation and NYSC, I looked for a job but the only job I could easily see was as a private school teacher. Teaching is something I like doing, anyway, but the salary is very poor. Then they paid me N15,000 at the beginning. Later I got one where I was paid N20,000. Again, later I got one where they paid me N40,000. But the stress was too much and the workload so much it wasn’t actually worth one’s while. What pained me the most was that, apart from the stress I went through teaching, the director of the school would always talk me down as if I was not adding any value to the school. It was at that point that I decided to quit the teaching job.
What happened after that?
After I quit my teaching job, staying idle, of course, wasn’t an option. So, in 2021, I decided to go engage in Keke riding and had to hire-purchase one. This Keke tricycle you see now was under hire-purchase for a period of
one year and six months at the cost N1,200,000, which
I have since liquidated. Meaning that the Keke I ride now belongs to me.
How do you feel doing this business; what are the challenges?
I know keke-riding is very stressful. Sometimes I get skin burns, my body becomes so black I would look quite strange even to myself. It also comes with a lot of body ache. I know it is not something that will be easy but I am doing ok, you know, managing it. There are also hazards on the road like accidents. But all in all, I like the job, despite these challenges. I make an average of N3000 to N4000 daily.
How do your passengers react to seeing a female Keke rider? Do you think you inspire confidence in them?
Initially, they seemed frightened to ride with me. However, while some passengers were scared, some others were excited. When I started the business, many passengers were afraid, thinking that I might drive them into an accident or something like that. Others saw it as an opportunity to be driven by a female Keke rider. It was a two-way thing.
How would you describe your relationship with your male keke passengers?
Some of my male counterparts are happy while others are not. Some would always encourage me, saying yes, it is good that you come out to see how difficult it is to make money. Others make jest of me, asking me “so you feel you can drag this work with us.” So, it is a two way situation. I have some friends in the business who are happy with me for my doggedness.
How about your parents? What is their reaction to your Keke business?
When I told my parents about going into the keke business, my dad never supported me. He kicked against it saying it couldn’t happen – how could his graduate daughter engage in tricycle riding? What would people say about him and his daughter? But my mum encouraged me, saying there was nothing wrong with the idea.
Ok, but you can’t do this business forever, can you? So, what is your ambition in life?
Despite my current job as a keke rider, I still have an ambition in life. I am not going to stay in this business for too long. I would like to own my own school where I will impact positively on the society, care for children and give them necessary knowledge.
What is your advice to other youths like you?
I want to advise Nigerian youths, especially graduates, not to wait for a white collar job. They should go out of their way and find something to do. They should not stay idle. There was one of my lecturers back then in school who would always tell us that it is not everyone that will get a job after graduation. So, I advise them to engage in whatever is legit to earn a living. They shouldn’t wait for a state, federal or private job. One should always advise oneself, like saying, ‘let me engage in a lawful job to earn a living.’ They should motivate themselves.
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