Miss Atoyebi Oluwatoyin Abiodun Ganiyu lost her father about four years ago. Though the incident was a big setback to her dreams of becoming a motorcycle mechanic despite being a female, she was undaunted.
She was certain and determined not only to replicate and better her late father in the profession; she wanted to further his legacies as renowned motorcycle mechanic in town.
While Oluwatoyin’s dad was alive, a certain guardian, Mrs. Anna Modupe Esho, developed particular interest in her for her focus, purpose and interest to succeed in the male-dominated job environment. Esho took up the responsibility to train her through school and see her succeed as a mechanic even before and after her father’s demise.
On Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the dreams and aspirations of Toyin, her guardian, late father and other well-wishers who have watched her grow to a 17-year-old female mechanic came to pass as the Gobir Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), came to her rescue with a financial empowerment to pursue her formal education while she continued to pursue her dreams.
While speaking with North Central Trust during a surprised visit by the foundation to her roadside workshop inherited from her late father, Toyin, who is now an SS1 student of Chapel Secondary School, Tanke area of Ilorin metropolis, couldn’t hold back tears of joy.
“I have always wanted to be a mechanic despite the fact that I am a female since I started following my late father to his shop. It has been my dream and I have planned and I am working hard to become a mechanical engineer in future. I want to be able to build motorcycles and even tricycles on my own.
“I am equally determined to take up my late father’s job because while he was alive, he trained, fed, and sheltered me and other members of the family with the meager money he got from been a mechanic”, he added.
Mrs Esho, who was elated for the recognition done to Toyin, said: “We were neighbours. When she was six, I saw her taking interest in mechanic work with her father. When I made inquiry, I was made to understand that she was the only child that was interested in learning the trade and this really got me interested in her.
“Toyin has over the years proved to be productive, industrious and well-disciplined ever since I have known her,” she said.
Speaking during the presentation of N100,000 financial empowerment to the young girl, the Head, Media and Publicity of Gobir Foundation, Mrs Khadijat Eyitanwa Lawal, said they have watched the young mechanic’s keen interest and passion exhibited towards the profession which some of her male and female counterparts consider as degrading.
“We are here to celebrate diligence and hard work in the young professional. We’ve been watching her doing her job well with passion. The recognition programme by the foundation is aimed at celebrating hard-working people. We want people to know that the foundation is watching you and ready to compensate you for job well done just as we have done to Miss Toyin.
“The foundation designed the programme purposely to reward hard work towards increased productivity and taking the state to a next level of development which the likes of Toyin have demonstrated”, she added.
The President of the Motorcycles and Tricycles Association of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Hassan Abdullahi Jimoh, said: “Her late father was my member and after he died and Toyin said she would take after him, I just said okay. But watching her grow, she has totally surprised me with her expertise and ability in the profession. Now, we have submitted her name among those that will be trained by a company in Lagos and few weeks from now, she would go for that to enhance her skills and expertise.
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