Thirty-eight-year-old Temitope Aladesanwa, a 2014 graduate of Political Science from the College of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, tells DANIEL AYANTOYE how a 2023 report by Saturday PUNCH titled, ‘Graduate jobseekers battle age limits, flip Okada riders,’ gave him, his spouse and two children a brand new lease of life
For how lengthy have you ever been an okada rider?
I’m from Ondo State. I graduated in 2014 with a second-class decrease diploma. I had that as a result of I struggled whereas learning; I labored as a caterer whereas in class. After commencement, I went for the obligatory nationwide youth service. After the service, I began in search of a job. However, as I advised you, it was very troublesome for me to safe a job. Many of the jobs requested both 5 or 10 years of expertise. How can a contemporary graduate have that? After a while, I started to have a problem with age as a result of, on the time I graduated, I used to be 30 years previous however a lot of the firms requested a decrease age.
Why did you go for Okada using?
There was no different choice. I’ve to feed myself and my household. I can’t steal. The one factor I may lay my palms on was the okada. So, I went for it. There was nothing a lot however it took care of what to eat and that was it. Additionally, once I left college, I couldn’t proceed with catering as a result of whereas I used to be in class, I acquired a number of jobs from folks and once I left, I couldn’t get something a lot and the tasks additionally set in. I did the job for about eight years earlier than my story modified.
It was very troublesome for me, principally due to my age. It took me a while earlier than I acquired admission to the college and by the point I graduated, I used to be already 30. Some firms have been additionally requesting six years of labor expertise. And I used to be a contemporary graduate, which was an computerized disqualification.
You talked about earlier that you simply utilized for safety company jobs. Why have been you not taken?
Sure, I utilized to the Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps, the (Nigeria) Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Police. I wished to use for the Immigration job in 2022, however I couldn’t as a result of they’d an age restrict and I used to be a lot older than what they have been requesting, although I knew I used to be match for the job. I didn’t need to waste my time by making use of for it once more.
You stated it was painful being an okada rider as a graduate. What was the expertise like?
It was painful. How can somebody spend some huge cash on schooling and find yourself with an okada work? It isn’t expertise. I’m a graduate of Political Science and I obtained the diploma with the expectation of giving myself and my household a greater life. However what did the nation flip me into? An okada rider. So, it is going to certainly be painful? The okada job will not be simple in any respect. Apart from the stress and the truth that I needed to roam the solar all day, folks insulted me and used abusive phrases. I used to be already bored with the job. It was God who introduced you (PUNCH Newspaper) on the proper time to interview me final yr.
What was your loved ones’s response whenever you began using an okada for a dwelling?
They felt unhealthy. Who gained’t? How will somebody go to a college and graduate and the following job to do is to journey an okada rider? It’s a worrisome scenario. At one level, they advised me to cease the okada however there was nothing to do, so I went to buy one other bike.
What occurred after the PUNCH report was revealed?
It was a turnaround story for me. Sure, I’ve not reached the place I need to be however I’m higher off from the place I’m coming from. If you got here to interview me, I wasn’t considering it was one thing critical. I assumed it was simply regular speak that will not obtain something. I solely spoke based mostly on the boldness I’ve as a Political Science scholar. However when the publication got here out, everybody noticed it on the junction the place I’m identified. Some insulted me and advised me to go and use the newspaper to gather {dollars} from the President. I ignored them and continued my work. I additionally purchased the newspaper (Saturday PUNCH) and took it dwelling. At first, my spouse was livid, asking if I used to be so happy with the work that I needed to exit and publish myself in a newspaper and likewise put my image on the entrance web page. However we later settled it.
How did you grow to be a automotive proprietor?
I’ve all the time had an curiosity in shopping for a automotive, however there isn’t any cash. Anytime I make an effort to avoid wasting cash, I spend it on one thing else. I sincerely respect God and respect you for coming on the proper time as a result of, after I used to be revealed in your newspaper, folks began calling me. My spouse additionally shared the story along with her household and I did the identical. Individuals got here to my assist; they supported me with cash. Considered one of my mates in Lagos then helped me course of a Corolla Camry, and in June (2023), I purchased it. It was superb how the whole lot modified. I’m presently utilizing it for ridesharing. As I stated, I’m in search of higher alternatives and a greater job, however I’ve a greater life now than once I was using an okada.
What do you imply whenever you say you now have a greater life?
Though I don’t have a lot cash, there aren’t any extra insults, and there may be extra dignity and respect with this job (as a ridesharing driver) than once I was using an okada. After I park anyplace, folks speak to me with respect, not like once I used to park my okada and a few folks nearly mistook me for a thief. There was a time I visited the okada junction and so they noticed me with the automotive. They have been already conscious I purchased a automotive however they have been stunned. Somebody even stated I did a cash ritual however I simply laughed.
What are your aspirations now?
I do know lots of people at the moment are into ‘japa’. If I’ve the chance, I’ll (‘japa’). At the moment, probably the most urgent aspiration for me is to ascertain a major and secondary college.
You lamented your incapability to get a authorities job because of the age restrict. What would you like the federal government to do about this downside which additionally impacts many unemployed youths?
They need to put an finish to the age-limit requirement in each personal and public institutions. There are folks above the age they’re requesting however who’re certified and match for the job. Candidates shouldn’t be judged by their age; if not, we’ll proceed to extend the unemployment price. In case you contemplate the difficulties in getting admission into Nigerian universities and the one-year obligatory service, many individuals would have gone above the age restrict earlier than they lastly entered the labour market. What do you count on them to do? I plead with the federal government and all stakeholders to look into this subject as a result of there are many okada riders on the market who’re graduates.
