Some of the Okada riders in Pankshin Plateau. Credit: NAN Some youths engaged in commercial motorcycle business, popularly known as okada, in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, say it has meaningfully transformed their lives. The riders, who disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Pankshin on Sunday, said the business had taken them off the streets and empowered them financially.
Earning between N5,000 and N9,000 daily, the riders said the business not only provides steady income but has also enabled them to feed their families, build houses, and send their children to school. Mr Dauda Zakmin, 42, a father of two, said he had been in the business for more than 13 years.
“I really achieved a lot from this business. I make an average earning of N9,000 daily. “From the proceeds of the business, I was able to buy a car and two cows for rearing. “Also, from what I earn, I am able to feed my family and train two of my children, who are currently in primary and secondary schools, respectively,” he said.
For Mr Dakup Caleb, 28, he started the business right after graduating from secondary school as he could not further his education due to financial difficulties. “I have been in this business for over 12 years, and I make an average earning of N8,000 daily. “From this business, I built three rooms for myself, got married, and also helped my younger sister through secondary school.
“I started the business with a friend’s motorcycle, but today, I have two motorcycles of my own,” he said. Mr Richard Monday, 30, a father of three, said he was initially into the timber business before joining the okada business. “What I earned before starting this business was barely enough to take care of my needs and support my family, but today, the story is different.
“I have been doing this business for over 10 years, with an average earning of N6,000 daily. Related News N2.42tn VAT revenue: Tax reforms begin to yield results Filling stations lower petrol prices amid market competition Labour knocks govt as FAAC payouts hit N10.4tn “Through this business, I bought a plot of land, and I am currently training three of my children in primary and secondary schools,” he said.
The story is not different for Mr Ibrahim Wakdom, 37, a father of three, who said he has been in the business for more than 10 years. “I make an average of N6,000 daily from the business. “From what I have earned in this business, I trained myself at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, and I am currently training two of my children in primary school.
“This business has been helpful since I can fend for my family without much stress,” Wakdom said. Mr Lokrit Tabe, 46, a father of five, also said he was initially into the sugarcane business, which was not paying enough before switching to commercial motorcycle operations.
According to Tabe, he has spent more than 28 years in the business and earns an average of N7,000 daily. “I used the proceeds of this business to sponsor myself through the College of Education, Gindiri, here in Plateau. “I am currently sponsoring my first daughter at the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, with the other four children in primary and secondary schools.
“Through this business, I built a house, and I feed my family very well,” he said. On his part, Mr Joseph Ambi, 27, said he has been doing the business for four years. “I was into tailoring before switching to okada business since tailoring was not paying much. “My major achievement within these years was having a church wedding, but I believe I can achieve much more in some years to come,” Ambi said.