Simba, TVS graduate 30 women tricycle riders’ trainees

In commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, Simba Group, distributors of TVS tricycle brands in Nigeria, has trained 30 female commercial tricycle riders.  

The empowerment initiative, which lasted for weeks, featured extensive learning curve on driving, safety precautions, basic repairs, customers’ handling, and how to compete favourably in a male-dominated business.

According to Head of Training for Simba Group, Naved Hassan, the gender-sensitive programme was aimed at further bridging the existing gap of economic vulnerabilities of women against their men folks in the society.

After the presentation of certificates of graduation, SunTrust Bank, M.I.S.S Microfinance Bank, alongside the duo of Opawole Saheed and Idowu Fadipe, both Tricycle Unit Chairmen in Ikeja Central Business District, were presented to the graduates as the facilitators for their acquisition of the wheels.

While the banks are ready to facilitate an interest-free funding for the purchase of tricycles for the ladies, the unit chairmen said theirs “would be released on higher purchase agreement with no throat-cutting addition to the actual capital.”

In their remarks, guest speakers, including one of Nigeria’s prominent Nollywood personalities, Mrs Chioma Akpotha and Simba Group Major Distributor, Mrs Kuforiji Olubunmi (a.k.a Mama Keke) implored the graduating students to judiciously explore the intervention as their permanent breakaway from economic and financial dependence. 

Akpotha stressed that women are equal to men, and can even rise much higher, encouraging them to “go forward confidently and achieve their dreams”.

On her part, ‘Mama Keke’, who narrated her bumpy ride to success in the industry, said it took purposefulness and tenacity to climb the ladder.

“Practically speaking, self-confidence got me here,” she said.

The trainees, most of who are married with children, expressed gratitude to their benefactors through the duos of Mrs Adedoyin Ariwajoye and Mrs Adenike Yusuf. 

The event culminated with Chioma Akpotha entering and driving a ‘keke’ at the Simba Training Ground, which was met with much fanfare and jubilation from the attending crowd. 

Simba Group is a household name in Nigeria and has been operating in the country for over 30 years, contributing to the nation’s economy through its numerous Corporate Social Responsible projects.