Atabo Justina, popularly known as Pilot 001, is a single mother of three who has been riding a motorcycle commercially in Abuja's Nyanya-Maraba axis since November 28, 2020. Her journey into the business was born out of desperation, as her family was struggling financially and her children were sick. With her then-husband away, Justina decided to take the motorcycle to the road, leveraging her riding skills to provide for her family.
Six years after her first ride, Justina remains on the road, with the motorcycle serving as her principal source of livelihood. She makes an average of N6,000 per day, which enables her to pay house rent, settle her children's school fees, and cater to their general welfare. As a single mother, Justina has had to shoulder the financial responsibilities of the household largely by herself, including paying rent and meeting her children's needs.
When Justina first appeared on the road as a commercial motorcycle rider, the reaction was mixed. Some passengers initially refused to use her motorcycle, unsure of her ability to ride safely. Others questioned why a woman would choose a job they considered physically demanding and largely dominated by men. However, with time, the initial resistance gave way to acceptance, and her male colleagues have since become some of her strongest supporters.
Despite the independence that commercial motorcycle riding has given her, Justina acknowledges that the job takes a toll on her physically. She experiences pain and exhaustion, and has had to take walks several times a week to alleviate the strain. She has also had a few minor accidents since she started commercial riding. Nevertheless, she continues to ride, as the work remains her most dependable means of supporting her family.
Justina's journey into Okada riding was a departure from her earlier ambition to secure a uniform job. When her efforts did not yield the desired result, she turned to commercial motorcycle riding. For now, the motorcycle remains the vehicle through which she hopes to finance her larger dreams, including establishing a transportation business where she would provide motorcycles to riders who would operate them and remit agreed returns to her.
Justina's decision to become an Okada rider was not initially easy for her family to accept, particularly her mother. However, over time, her mother's concern gave way to pride as she watched Justina persist and provide for her children. Justina's determination has also influenced her decision to remain focused on raising her children rather than rushing into another marriage.
Justina's message to women is to strive to have something of their own, regardless of how small it may initially be. She believes that women should be empowered to take control of their lives and provide for themselves and their families. As she continues to ride, Justina hopes to secure a stable job opportunity or adequate capital to start a business of her own, one that would allow her to leave the Okada business behind.
Key points
- Atabo Justina, a single mother of three, has been riding a motorcycle commercially in Abuja's Nyanya-Maraba axis since November 28, 2020.
- Justina makes an average of N6,000 per day from her Okada business, which enables her to cater to her family's needs.
- Despite the physical toll of the job, Justina continues to ride, as it remains her most dependable means of supporting her family.
