So I opted for the option of talking a bus going to Ogba, then from there I can easily get Berger.
On getting to Ogba I crossed over to the other side of the road and walked down in a bid to get a bus going to Berger.
But while I walk down I saw alot of Motor tricycle (Keke Napep) instead of a buses.
Personally, I don't really like boarding it but only do when I have no other option or choice.
So I decided to go with one but was carefully looking out for a neat one because of the rain that just stopped and trying to look at the face/look of the Rider if it was cool before getting in.
There and then I saw this Female Rider on the wheels looking young and energetic.
I was surprised but I was so impressed about what she was doing for survival.
Then I decided to ride with her to my destination because that would give me the opportunity to have a conversation with her.
I quickly sat beside her on the rider's seat.
The passengers was complete, then we began our trip.
So while she drove the below conversation/Interview ensued.
#Kennyola: Eku ise (well-done ma)
#KekeRider: Eseun (Thank you)
Kennyola: Is to so easy and simple to drive this?
Keke Rider: No oo, infact it causes so much body pain. If you drive it every day from Monday to Friday, No one will tell you before you know that Saturday should be used for taking drugs and resting because of the severe body pain one get from driving it.
So for me I use Saturday and Sunday to rest and take care of my kids.
Kennyola: Oh so you have kids? How many of them?
Keke Rider: 2
Kennyola: What about their Father?
How come he allowed you to do this kind of work because I noticed you are the only female I saw at that bus-stop in Ogba?
Keke Rider: Their father left me when my second child was about 4months and life hasn't been easy for me since then.
I tried doing so many things like selling pure water and other things but it wasn't just working for me.
I could not cater for them with it and I could not also go into prostitution or stealing so I thought of driving Keke.
Kennyola: Oh I see, am sorry about that.
Did you actually know how to drive it before?
Keke Rider: No, I learnt it after I decided to go for Keke Napep transportation business.
Kennyola: Okay, Was it that easy to learn? And how long did it take you to learn it?
Keke Rider: It depends on how fast one can learn but for me it took me 10days to learn and start driving it because I don't even have money to stay long in the driving School.
It was Four thousand Naira(#4,000) I was asked to pay to learn it, I didn't even have it so I had to go and borrow it from someone.
So it was that determination I put into it and I was able to learn fast.
Kennyola: Eya, so after that 10 days you began driving it?
And was it that school that gave you the motor tricycle (Keke) after teaching you ?
Keke Rider: No o, after they teach you, it's ends there. One will have to look for how to get the Keke. Either you buy your own or you get those ones people buy and they give to rider's for weekly delivery.
In my case, after I was through with the learning, I was asked to proceed for what they call "Rider's Permit" which is also like Driving License and after which someone helped in introducing me to a company here in Lagos that is into the business of giving Keke Napep out and will be making weekly delivery to them.
Alot of people buy Keke in Lagos and hand it over to the company to manage it for them.
So that was the place I got this one am driving from.
Kennyola: Oh I see, I can see Miss Ojo on your steering, is that your name?
Keke Rider: No, that not my name, that is actually the name of the owner of the Keke Napep who entrusted it into the hands of the company that manages it for her.
My own name is Adenike Oguntuase.
Kennyola: Since you have been riding it, how has life and survival been with you and your kids now?
Keke Rider: Much better o my sister because I work o, my sister I work when I don't feel like working sef.
Because I made up my mind to put all my strength into it to be able to take care of my kids rather than selling my body.
So since I started, life has been a bit easier for us, the first two weeks I was able to pay my debt of 4k I used to learn how to drive it and for getting my Rider's Permit.
After then I have been able to put food on the table for my kids and send them to school, though it's government school but you know it's not totally free, even everyday transport is a big money here in Lagos.
Kennyola: Am happy to hear that and I thank God for your life.
I am happy you decided not to go to into any bad act just to survive because that is the excuse some people give because they want to fend for their kids and family.
Keke Rider: Thank you Auntie
Kennyola: I want you to know that things will get better for you and your kids if you don't relent.
Things are just like this for now, it will get better.
And I want you to know that everyone has a story too.
But I know help will come for you.
Infact I pray for you that soon you will have a better vehicle to do this transport business that will give you a better income than ridding this Keke.
But that is if you are still interested in this transportation business.
Keke Rider: Amen o Auntie.
There is money in transportation business especially in here in Lagos.
Aunty thank you so much for your kind words infact you made me happy today.
When some men even women like you will enter my Keke and they will discussing and gossiping at the back seat saying all sort of things, some will even make jest of me, though I don't mind them o.
Kennyola: Really? See don't mind them o.
Some of them their lives are worse, they live fake life and they do all dirty things in the name of surviving.
So just be focus ma and don't mind them.
Keke Rider: Thank you Auntie.
Where are you stopping because this is the last bus-stop.
Kennyola: Oh really?
Let me alight here then,
I think that next junction is where am going to.
Keke Rider: Okay don't worry I will take you there.
Kennyola: Thank you so much ma.
God bless you you
(Then I paid her though I should collect change bcos it was #100 for the trip, but I asked her to keep the change and my regards to her kids)
Keke Rider: (Haa Eseun gan o)Thank you so much ma.
Then I alighted and I was so fulfilled after encouraging her.
I was so proud of her and I asked her if she would not mind if she hears or see her story online and she gave me the go ahead.
This is a story of a Strong, Brave and Decent woman who believe there is dignity in being hardworking.
She is Adenike Oguntuase.
(You can contact me for her phone number if you have a feeling to support her.)
Get Engaged, Do something,
Poverty, Unemployment is not an excuse to go into Prostitution, Stealing Arm robbery.
#KennyAwujoola
#KennyolaSpeaks
#FragileButStrongFBS
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