InDefence Okada Men
Author: AMIRU ADAMU
Posted to the web: 7/13/2010 6:03:52 AM
Okada,kabu kabu,achaba,going,express,this are all diffrent names for commercial motorcyclist in nigeria.Commercial motorcyclists started operating in nigeria in the 80's,and have since then thrived and prospered till now.As a means of transportation okada plays a very significant role due to its abundance and the ability of the okada man to access areas where taxis and buses cannot.Okada is also cheap,hence its popularity among the low income earners and students in nigeria.As a trade okada riding has provided a significant number of Nigerian youths with a means of livelihood.One might assume that okada riding as a trade that requires skill rather than educational qualification is strictly for the un-educated,but almost 50 percent of the okada riders are graduates and diploma holders,who could not gain employment with thier certificates.The recent crackdown on okada trade by the federal and some state governments has raised alot of dust and questions.Already the once thriving okada business of abuja is already history,a situation that left so many nigerian youths that were relying on okada riding for survival without thier daily bread.The most recent law is that of plateau state,where blood had already been spilled due to the youths reluctance to accept the law,which they described as a demonstration of government's insensitivity to thier plight.The plateau state government's response to the youths complaints was not in truth a realistic one.How can you take away someone's means of livehood without providing him with an alternative? If the authorities are really intrested in the welfare of the banned okada riders,they should provide them with the mini buses and taxis they promised first,rather than killing them in the process of enforcing the ban.Plateau state government:THE WORLD IS WATCHING AND WAITING!
Email to a friend
Print version
Plain textRate this article
Breaking News
Indicted Companies, Their Owners
Many highly placed Nigerians who own some of the companies indicted for fuel subsidy offences are likely to be arraigned in court this week The stage ...
Still a Killing Field
Fear and grief take the centre stage again in Jos after another round of crisis leading to the death of more than140 persons including two ...
Battle to Save LGs
A presidential committee headed by retired Justice Alfa Belgore suggests ways to salvage the nation’s local governments from the over bearing influence of state governors The ...
Twist in the Akpabio’s Murder Case
The family of the murdered Akpabio brothers rejects the setting up of a security committee to investigate the multiple murder incident and demands explanation for ...
Akwa Ibom Triumphs
Cross River State loses its bid to reclaim 76 oil wells which it lost through its declassification as a littoral state For Godswill Akpabio, governor of ...
Danger at the Door
Fear of religious war looms as Boko Haram sect targets churches and Christians for attacks T he ordination ceremony of Matthew Hassan Kukah as the Catholic ...
Danger at the Door
Fear of religious war looms as Boko Haram sect targets churches and Christians for attacks T he ordination ceremony of Matthew Hassan Kukah as the Catholic ...
Christians Have a Right to Defend Themselves
Gabriel Osu, monsignor and director of communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, speaks to Anthony Akaeze, assistant editor, on a number of issues relating to the ...
It’s Not a War Against Christians
Lateef Adegbite, secretary general, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, speaks to Dike Onwuamaeze, principal staff writer, and Ishaya Ibrahim, staff writer, on Boko Haram. Excerpts: Newswatch: ...
On the Rise Again
Cases of kidnapping are again on the increase in Imo State There is an upsurge in kidnapping in Imo State. The cases are much more than ...