30-year-old Amarachi Ihezie, a graduate of Sociology from the University of Calabar, who now rides a tricycle for a living following her failed attempts to get a well-paying job, tells GODFREY GEORGE what her experience has been so far in this line of work
Please, introduce yourself.
My name is Amarachi Ihezie. I am 30 years old and I ride a tricycle for a living. I am from Oboho, Imo State. I am based in Delta State with my family. I was born and raised here in Delta. I have a degree in Sociology from the University of Calabar in 2015.
Did you ever think that you would be a keke rider after graduation?
I never had that on my mind for one day, but you know how Nigeria is. You study something but end up doing something else.
Did you apply for jobs after graduating before resorting to tricycle riding?
Of course, I did. I applied to many private schools to teach. Around here, that was one of the easiest jobs to get. When you go around, you would see schools looking for people to teach, so I taught in about five of them before I told myself that I had had enough. If I heard that a school was paying better, I would leave the one I was and went there. After a while, I would move to another one, and it went on like that.
Before teaching, did you source for other jobs related to your degree?
I tried getting a bank job but I needed to travel to Port Harcourt, and my dad discouraged me and I couldn’t go. So, I just continued teaching.
What was the first salary you earned as a teacher?
My first salary was N12, 000 and that was in 2016. Of course, it was heartbreaking. I felt so bad. I knew I was worth more than that, but at that point, I had no choice. That is the thing with these employers; they know a lot of people need these jobs out there. If you turn it down, people are lined up to take it, so it is not their business.
When did you decide that you were done with teaching?
It was the last one where I was paid N40, 000. At that point, something came up. I had issues with my administrator. He said I was too bold because I asked him a question. Everybody kept saying I was too bold. “Why would I say that?” they asked. So, it earned me a query. It was tagged ‘Insubordination of Authority’ (sic) and I faced a panel. At another time, I was suspended for two weeks without pay. The third one was when I had to cut the rope. One learner had complained about a teacher. They didn’t bother to investigate properly. The administrator and management just concluded that it was me who did it, and that was because I was the Form Teacher of that class at that time. When he called me that day to say I did this and that, I couldn’t even control myself again. “What is the meaning of this? Why do you like to accuse me all the time? Am I the only teacher in this school?” I asked. In fact, that was the last time I made them query me. They did again for the third time. I told myself that was the end. That Friday, when they sent me a letter that I would be facing a panel on Friday afternoon after work, I stayed, thinking it would be a short meeting. Could you believe I was there after school closed around 2pm till 5pm, waiting for them? I had even slept on the table when someone came to tell me that the Admin was waiting for me. When I got there, they said a lot of hurtful things to me and it almost made me cry in front of them. It was dehumanising. They didn’t even give me an opportunity to explain myself. I was always wrong at every point and every turn. I got home around 6pm and I cried so much. I simply concluded that I was going to resign. Immediately I got my February salary, I dropped my resignation letter and left.
Was that when you started riding tricycle or did you try to look for another job?
I went around to see if I would see any school with vacancy for teachers. Anywhere I applied, I would hear very funny salaries. One said N13, 000 per month. This was in 2021. The best offer was N17, 500 and I told myself “God forbid!”
How did the idea of riding keke come to your mind?
That day I left the interview where I had been offered to be paid N17, 500, I was so angry. On my way home, I saw a keke guy who lived around my area. I entered his keke and I told him my experience. As we rode, I just said, ‘It is like I would ride keke o! Do you people make money?” He told me that there was profit in it. He also said that he would teach me how to ride it if I was serious. That was the beginning of this journey.
How did you get the keke you are riding now?
After learning, I needed to start the line of job, so I got one on hired purchase. That was on May 1, 2021.
What was your parents’ reaction when they saw you ride a keke into their compound, having sent you to the university?
Everywhere shook! My father said, “God forbid! My daughter cannot be a keke rider!” My mom would support me, but when my dad would talk, she would support him. My dad said that it was too dangerous and that trailers could crush me on the road. My mom was indifferent.
Didn’t you have any fears as a woman in this line of trade?
I have experienced some of these challenges. One time, a trailer pushed me off the road and I got injured but it never stopped me from doing my job. I tell myself every day, “I can do this!”
What was your first day riding keke commercially like?
It was interesting and stressful. There was a lot of traffic everywhere. I didn’t know my way around and how to navigate my way through the traffic. It was not easy but it was fun. I went to different wrong routes. Then, I didn’t know where to go to get passengers. So, I ended up with only one or two passengers. I didn’t understand what it meant to ‘load passengers’.
How has the experience been so far on the road?
A lot of people know my name because of this business and it is lucrative. Some people find it interesting to enter my tricycle.
Have there been any near-death experiences since you started riding?
Apart from the fact that I was almost hit by one waste management truck, one time and two or three other occasions like that, God has been saving me. It has not deterred me.
What was your friends’ reaction when they found out you were now a keke rider?
At first, they mocked me and decided to talk me out of it. “It is not a woman’s work o! How can a graduate be doing this kind of work?” they’d ask.
Has this keke business affected your love life?
The reverse is the case. All the men I have met find my line of business interesting. They see me as one who has values and is industrious. They would say, “A woman who can hustle like this will not be scared of responsibility?”
How much do you make on a good day?
It varies. Sometimes, you can make N5, 000. Other times, you can make N8, 000. It is just how lucky you are that day. Another thing that helps again is ‘private chatter’, where people would call you to take them to places and pay a specific fare.
If you get a good job offer, would you take it up?
Of course, yes. It was unemployment that brought me here in the first place.
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