Meet 23-year-old Abuja-based female mechanic, Bassey Margaret, from Ikpo-asutan, Akwa Ibom State, who is proud of her job and cannot discourage her children if they choose to follow her footstep.
According to Margaret, the last child of three girls, she had to train as an automobile repairer because of her poor family background. And after spending a year and six months of rigorous training in Lagos, she finally arrived Abuja with dreams of making it in the male dominated occupation.
Margaret who revealed that she got a job at a mechanic shop at Lokogoma, around airport road at N30, 000, monthly salary, said it hasn’t been easy walking in the park as she had faced her share of discrimination whenever she introduced herself as a mechanic. But however, some people, especially the men who took her seriously, supported her because of her competence.
Margaret speaking to Okwe Obi of The Sun, recounted how her boss gave her a rather funny test.
“When I went to seek employment, my boss surveyed me; and told me to stretch and fold my hands. He looked at them and told me to start working the next day.
“Out of curiosity, I asked him what that meant. He told me that if he didn’t find scars, on them that means I was not a mechanic. According to him, mechanics were synonymous with injuries considering the nature of the work.”
When Margaret who has resolved to own a workshop someday, at least, to train others was asked if she would love her love children to toe her path, she said:
“I won’t discourage them. It takes determination, patience and God’s grace to excel.”
According to Okwe Obi, who interviewed Margaret, he had booked the interview for 10am but ended up interviewing her at 4:20pm because of the influx of customers.
“As she was up and doing even when I finally got her attention, she was still giving directives to apprentices. Most customers prefer her to fix their cars.” Okwe Obi disclosed.
One of the customer that were interviewed said whenever Margaret fixes his car the problem stops.
“I prefer her working for me because of her meticulousness and dedication,” he said.
Another customer, Barong Joe disclosing that she was shocked the fist time he saw her said;.
“This is somebody who wants to make a difference. Her mates are idling away and looking for men to foot their bills, but here is a girl surpassing all expectations. Honestly, I am touched.”
Source: The Sun
No comments:
Post a Comment