United Arab Emirates’ very first female delivery rider, Nigerian Gift Preye Solomon has shared her story of humble beginning in the “City of Gold,” and how she came to the country practically with nothing but a dream to make something of her life.

She revealed in an interview that all she had was 300 hundred dollars which soon ran out after 6 months of hunting for a job without success. She has written her name in gold just by doing what most women would consider inappropriate to their lady-like nature.

“When I arrived in the United Arab Emirates I thought life would be a bed of roses but it was not what I expected. I came to the UAE with only 300 dollars, thinking that would get me far before I settled into a job but my fantasy soon became a harsh reality as I searched for a job for more than 6 months. I cried and slept without food because I had no money for food or even to go for an interview. Countless times I had to beg money from friends from home in order to survive here in the UAE, and now, looking back, I am grateful to God for my long journey. In the end, I got the job a few months later as a customer service representative at Freedom Pizza where I still work,” she recounted

“Going back home was not an option. I wasn’t ready to give up and I couldn’t ask my parents (for money) because I told them I already had a job”.

Her determination has now paid off. From working as a phone operator in 2016, Gift rose to the position of the assistant manager when her ambition took a dramatic turn. She now takes pride in contributing to a new narrative within the UAE’s food delivery industry.

“There are some people who think it’s not accurate for me to be a rider… being a rider is not something I was forced into (it’s what I want to do). I know I can do it and I’m doing it, to set an example for people”

Gift hopes her story can serve as an inspiration and encouragement to other Nigerian youths to always embrace hard work regardless of their circumstances.

Her greatest wish is to see more women taking on daring opportunities as she herself continues to effortlessly break gender stereotypes one delivery at a time.