By Maria Famakinwa

 Keke Napep, a miniature mobile tricycle made its debut on the Nigerian roads almost a decade ago. Although many people were wary of the three-legged mobile yellow dinghies at the onset of their appearance, it is a different story now as many people are embracing the business.

In the Akure metropolis alone, the tricycles can be seen in almost every corner of the city, especially in low-cost areas. Many youths who had been unable to secure jobs or having problems with their businesses are now in the Keke Napep business; both male and female. This is not restricted to the Akure metropolis alone. Their presence can also be seen in several cities of the nation.

Also, many wary citizens who were earlier afraid of the balance of an uneven-legged contraption seem to be coming to terms with it as the number of tricyclists increased making their appearances less strange and more commonplace on Nigerian roads.

The acceptance of the tricycle as a means of transportation shows that the lengths parents go to fend for their families are worth commending. Many Nigerians are not finding it easy as parents, especially with the present economic reality which makes providing up to three square meals a day almost an impossible task for most families. Yet, some parents are working their asses off legitimately to put food on their families’ tables.

Some of these parents who are Keke Napep riders spoke with The Hope and revealed that they have no choice but to combine driving Keke Napep with other jobs to meet the needs of their families. Some women among them who have decided to venture into the male-dominated transport business also shared their experiences.

Mr Aderemi Johnson Funmilayo who plies Ijoka and Old Garage axis in Akure, revealed that he was into agent work with his brother but was betrayed. “Due to this, I left the agent’s work and decided to use my car to carry passengers from Akure to Ondo. Later, I discovered that I could not cope because I had to queue for my turn which most times was not comfortable for me. It was then I decided to join Keke Napep riders.

His words: “I was working as an agent before venturing into commercial tricycle driving because my brother who I was doing business with betrayed me. Before then, I used my car to transport passengers from Akure to Ondo but stopped due to the idea of queueing for long hours before it got my turn. I later decided to join the business of riding Keke Napep since I have mouths to feed and must find a way out. I got Keke Napep at a higher purchase and was able to pay up with the help of my wife who took a loan to complete the payment.”

While comparing his life before venturing into Keke Napep and now, Mr Funmilayo thanked God that his family is better off. “My life and that of my family is better now. At least, I can cater for my family’s needs and make daily contributions. Things would have even been better if the fuel price had not been increased. Before the increment in fuel price, I used to buy N1,300 to fill my tank but now I buy N7,500 fuel which affects my daily take home.”

On the challenges associated with driving Keke Napep, Mr Funmilayo said that one of the challenges is bad roads, which affects the handle and other parts of the vehicle. He also pointed out that the import duty on Keke Napep is high which is making the price go up. “Two years ago, Keke was sold for N1.2 million but now it goes for N3.7 million. We are appealing to the Federal Government to help reduce the import duty on Keke Napep to assist those of us in the business.”

While advising those who are jobless to find something to do, Mr Funmilayo asked that if a man of his age could be riding Keke Napep to survive, what excuse has jobless youths?  He added that he didn’t mind what anyone would say in as much as his family’s needs were met. He said:” Some people look down on me while riding Keke Napep but it is none of my concerns because they are not feeding me. You can only claim to be a responsible father if you are not lagging in your fatherly roles,” he said.

Another rider, Mr Ekene Eze, who also has a shop in Arakale where he sells clothing materials explained that he joined Keke riders two years ago when his business was not moving. The man who revealed that economic hardship is pushing a lot of people to take up additional jobs, added that riding Keke Napep is not a job that one could do for a very long time.

His words: “Hunger and frustration pushed me to ride Keke Napep like many others in the business. Once a man starts failing in his responsibility as the family head, such is bound to face insults which I don’t want to experience. Women only respect their husbands if they are forthcoming with the family’s needs. That is why I am considering going into riding Keke Napep to add to whatever my wife is making from my shop at Arakale for the family’s upkeep. It is a business that helps to meet one’s family’s daily needs at least to cushion the effect of the harsh economy but it is not what one can do for a long time because of health challenges like inhaling dust and making the hands shake after a day’s job. Aside from the health challenges, another area of serious concern is the money that is spent on fuel. You know that if the roads are bad, one spends more on fuel and this affects what we make per day. Then, if the Keke developed problems, it is very expensive to repair.”

On why many people are taking to riding Keke Napep, Eze blamed it on frustration and hunger. He said: “Many who are hungry and frustrated with the situation in the country found solace in riding Keke Napep, at least to keep body and soul together. Instead of being idle, one can get Keke Napep at a higher purchase, learn how to ride it, and within a year, depending on the person’s seriousness one will be done with the payment. That is what many riders did and today we have something to fall back on. The only issue I noticed is that it is not advisable to do the business for a long time as it may lead to shaking of hands later in life,” Eze said.

A woman rider who plies Oja-Oba axis to Aule, Mrs. Blessing Nwachukwu, said that she was encouraged to go into the business by her husband to support the family.

Nwachukwu revealed that she was engaged in petty trading but the profit she made was not enough to support her husband to take care of the family.

She said: “My husband is the brain behind the Keke that I am driving today and things are taking shape in the family because I am also contributing in the house.”

Asked about the challenges faced as a female rider, she said: “Many prefer to ride in my tricycle, believing as a woman, I would be more careful and diligent. Even while driving, I get lots of compliments from my passengers and road users. This keeps me going and makes me proud of my job,” she said.

Another female rider, Mrs Temitope Isiaka, who combined riding Keke Napep with her fashion designer job plies Oja-Oba to Ijoka. According to her, she decided to join the business due to the economic situation. Unlike some female riders who were encouraged by their husbands to venture into riding Keke Napep, Mrs Isiaka revealed that her husband did not support her going into the business.

Her words: “After seeing young women riding Keke Napep to augment whatever their husbands bring home, I made up my mind to join the business and I discussed it with my husband but he refused. I pleaded with him to allow me to join Keke riders before he agreed. Immediately he supported me, I spent two weeks learning it and I discovered that it was not as difficult as I thought.”

On how she was combining her motherly role with riding Keke, Isiaka agreed that it has not been easy but she has no choice but to cope. She said:” I wake up very early in the morning to prepare food for my husband and children, get the children ready for school, and take them to school before I start my Keke business. I also close every day by 6 pm to attend to my family.”

Asked how riding Keke Napep is assisting her home, she said that it is helping her family in a great way as she is contributing to her family’s financial needs and advised jobless women to also find something to do so that they can support their families.

On some challenges she encounters as a female rider in a male-dominated business, she said apart from bad roads, she was able to overlook the prejudice that emanated from some people. Some of them disrespected me while some showed understanding and encouraged me.

Her words: “Most times, people driving Keke Napep are often belittled, especially women. Just like when I started, someone saw me on the road driving and her reaction was discouraging. I never mind because I know what I want. I saw driving as a thing of just going out in the morning, carrying people, and coming back home. Even, we have graduates among us who drive Keke Napep to earn a living and that hasn’t taken away their certificates from them. Driving Keke Napep to support my family financially gives me joy, ” Isiaka remarked.