Working Lives

Working Lives: The Okada Rider Who Wants to Work in a Construction Company in Dubai

Working Lives: The Okada Rider Who Wants to Work in a Construction Company in Dubai

With my experience as a factory worker, I believe I will get a job in one of the construction companies in Dubai. I am currently saving towards my travelling. Nigeria is a dream killer.

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Olamiposi Adebiyi. I am from Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Tell us about your education

I went to L. A. Primary School, Akoko, Ondo State. After my primary education, I proceeded to Ogo-Oluwa Community Secondary School in Ondo State. Thereafter, I attended Ondo City Polytechnic where I obtained a National Diploma in Public Administration.

Why did you not further your education?

After I completed my secondary education, my father wanted me to wait until my older sister graduated from Adekunle Ajasin University. My older sister was in 200 level at that time. My father told me he could not afford to sponsor two children at the same time but I did not want to sit back and wait for my sister to graduate before I commenced my higher studies. So, I decided to sponsor myself. I got a job as a motor boy in a pure water factory, my salary was N6,000 which was a good offer at that time. I was able to save much because the factory owner gave his staff N150 for feeding daily and I usually had breakfast before leaving home for work. The factory was at a trekkable distance from my house. So, I did not spend on feeding and transportation. While working as a motor boy, I started learning how to arrange sachet water in packs. My boss later promoted me from a motor boy role to a parker and he increased my salary to N8,000. Within few months, I had already learnt how to operate the water machine. Whenever the operator did not come to work, my boss would ask me to operate the machine so we could have sachet water to sell for the day. Thereafter, the operator and my boss had a fall out which led to the operator resigning. I began working as an operator fully and my salary was increased to N15,000. My parents were happy with my new job role and the pay that came with it. I sat for JAMB and got admitted into Ondo City Polytechnic. I was working at the factory and schooling at the same time. I did not have the time to attend all lectures but I always got materials of the lectures from my course mates. I would then read during my free time at work or at home. I completed my National Diploma in 2012. I could not go for Higher National Diploma (HND) because I could not afford to sponsor myself anymore. Family responsibilities kept increasing by the day and I had a son while in school. I literally focused on my factory job after I graduated from the polytechnic.

Are you married?

I am not married but I have a son. I met a lady while I was studying at Ondo City Polytechnic, we got intimate and she got pregnant. I could not tell her to abort the child because I could not bear to murder a soul. So, she kept the pregnancy. My family and hers were very supportive throughout the pregnancy journey. She stayed at my parents’ house until she gave birth. Thereafter, my mum took the child and she left. She keeps in touch once in a while. My son is ten years old now.

Do you have plans to marry the mother of your child?

No. What happened between us was a mistake. However, I am happy I got an intelligent child from her. She is not my ideal woman. Any woman who would marry me must be ready to love my son as her own.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Aboki Who Wants to Marry Off His Daughters after they graduate from Secondary School.

Tell us about your Family?

I am the first son of four children – three boys and a girl. My father is late. He died few years ago after suffering from stroke for a long time. He was a pastor and a fish farmer. My mother was a full house wife. My mum lives with my older sister in Lagos. My younger siblings live with me at Ketu. They assist in taking care of my son. They are in training to become artisans in different trades.

When did you come to Lagos and why did you choose to come to Lagos?

I came to Lagos in 2015. My sister had graduated from the university and had relocated to Lagos. She got married shortly after she got to Lagos. She advised me to relocate to Lagos so I could get a better job. I heeded her advice and I moved in with her. Her husband is a nice man so I had no issue living with them. They lived at Alapere in Ketu at that time. I lived with my sister for six months before renting a room apartment. I sent for my son and my siblings thereafter. I have had no regret since I came to Lagos.

What were you doing when you came to Lagos?

It was quite easy getting a job because of my experience in factory work. There are a lot of pure water factories in Lagos. I got a job at a pure water factory shortly after I got to Lagos. I was working as an operator and I was paid N30,000 monthly. I was able to save for my apartment. I rented a room at Demurin street in Ketu. After a while, I got another factory job with a better salary. There are a lot of opportunities in Lagos and it is easy to become rich as long as you are not lazy.

How did you start riding motorcycle?

I had no intention to work as an okada rider. I was fine with my earnings as an operator. I met someone who wanted to sell his motorcycle urgently and at a cheap rate. I thought I could use the motorcycle to transport myself to work daily. So, I bought the motorcycle at a rate of N140,000. It was not a new one but I had it repaired to look new. One day, while riding my motorcycle to work, I saw a lot of people flagging down bikes to take them to work. There was fuel scarcity that period and few commercial buses were working. I thought to assist few of them before I resumed for work at 9am. Coincidentally, I was in urgent need of money that day. So, I took few of them to their destinations and I made N1,500 that morning. I worked between 7am to 9am that day. Thereafter, I made the decision to work with my motorcycle in the morning before resuming at my factory.  I work from 5am to 9am, then from 5pm, after I close at the factory, to 10pm daily. That was my daily routine before the okada ban.

What came to your mind when you heard about the motorcycle ban?

I did not really feel bad as compared to those who worked full time as okada riders. I only work during rush hours and at that time, government officials might not be on roads to arrest or extort okada riders. However, what came to my mind was that the ban will not last for a long time. This is not the first time Lagos state government would impose such a ban. In fact, bikes are basically everywhere now, the police are tired of arresting us. All we do is give them little money and they will allow us to work

What is your take on motorcycle riders committing crimes with their motorcycles?

There is no safe haven in this country. It is the duty of the security agencies to go after those who commit crimes. Making the innocent ones suffer for the crimes of the perpetrators is not the best way to handle this situation. Many okada riders have ventured into menial jobs just to survive. Some have even resorted to stealing. So, the crime the government is trying to eradicate is still ongoing, if not worse. The government need to get their strategies right and look for a lasting solution to this problem.

How is the ban affecting you presently?

The ban has not really affected me. I still work with my motorcycle during rush hours and I work at the factory during the day. I have not been dependent on the money I make from riding okada from the start. I mentioned earlier that I had no intention to work with my motorcycle. I only ride my motorcycle just to make extra money. So, whether I work with my motorcycle or not, I still make money from the factory. However, the pressure on okada riders by government officials have reduced. This is because some policemen ride okada to make extra money too. Some policemen even have people riding their motorcycles for them and such people will give them returns daily. Such policemen will also not want the ban to last for a long time.

Also Read: Working Lives – The Uber Drivers of Lagos (Part 2)

How lucrative is okada riding in Lagos?

I make enough money from riding okada. In fact, I do not really spend my salary. I work during rush hours and I make about N4,000 to N5,000 daily. Okada riding is a good business.

Do you have savings?

Yes, I do. I hardly spend my salary. I have a savings account where I save my salary every month.

What do you think can be done by the state government to eradicate motorcycle accidents and crimes?

A lot needs to be done. The government should sensitize okada riders on the importance of helmets and safe road usage. Just as the Road Safety Officers, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and Policemen inspect vehicles on the roads, they should be made to inspect motorcycles, motorcycle riders and passengers as well. They should check for helmets and other necessary documents. Anyone not complying to the rules of safe road usage should be arrested. These will go a long way to reduce motorcycle accidents on our roads. Also, those engaging in crimes should be tracked by our security agencies and put behind bars.

Do you regret not going for higher education?

I have no regrets. My National Diploma certificate is of no use to me because I am not working with it. I would have wasted two years if I had gone for HND because I would eventually not work with the certificate. I am not saying that education is not good, the truth is that not everyone will go to school or work in offices. Some of us are not cut out for office jobs with suits and ties. However, I will sponsor my children’s education as much as I have the resources to.

What are your future plans?

My long-term plan is to relocate to Dubai. A friend of mine works as a labourer in a construction company in Dubai and he is doing well over there. With my experience as a factory worker, I believe I will get a job in one of the construction companies in Dubai. I am currently saving towards my travelling. Nigeria is a dream killer. Our government has nothing good to offer the youth and the generations to come. To be realistic, it will be difficult to eradicate crime in this country. A lot of people are suffering, how does the government expect them to survive if not to engage in crimes? I really hope Nigeria will have a good leader who will cater for the needs of the masses.

Obande Friday

Friday is a Mass Communication graduate of The Polytechnic of Ibadan. He has four years of content development experience. He loves lifting weights in his spare time.

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