Tabo Justina, also referred to as “Pilot 101,” a female commercial motorcycle rider in Nyanya, Abuja, has described how she was forced to ride Okada due to financial difficulties and how her job has allowed her to support her kids.
In a widely shared video, Justina, who claimed to be the only well-known Okada woman in Nyanya, Federal Capital Territory, talked about her challenges, goals, and the significance of financial independence for women.
Justina claims that after experiencing severe financial difficulties during her prior marriage, she began riding commercial motorcycles on November 28, 2020.
She claimed that at first, she started working to support herself and make sure her kids had food.
“My name is Tabo Justina, AKA Pilot 101, the only celebrity Okada woman in Nyanya, FCT. Actually, I started this course on November 28, 2020, and what actually moved me was the fact that I was facing a lot of financial challenges during my previous marriage.
“As God willed it, I started it like a joke, just to feed my children and survive until the Okada woman came.”
Despite being a woman in a field that is dominated by men, she claimed that the encouraging response she received from drivers inspired her to keep going.
“But after I experienced the joy and happiness people showed when they saw me on the road, not minding that I was a woman, it gave me the courage to continue.”
Even after her marriage ended three years ago, according to Justina, she was determined to keep working and later received assistance that enabled her to purchase a motorcycle.
“Even after my marriage ended three years ago, I went back to collect my own nuclear remittance.
“Until last year, God helped me with one truck list, and an anonymous Igala man sent someone to give me a bike. I was so happy and thankful to God for helping me.”
She claimed that having the motorcycle greatly increased her capacity to support her kids.
“I’ve been significantly feeding my children since then, and I’ve been the one paying their school fees. So, God has been faithful.”
Justina admitted that there are serious risks associated with riding commercial motorcycles, despite the advantages.
She revealed that since beginning work, she had been involved in roughly four accidents.
“I know this work is not easy for me because of the risks involved. So far, in these six years, I’ve had an accident like four times. It’s not just easy.”
Speaking about her educational background, she said she attended primary and secondary school and obtained an AC from Terracotta Education, based in Alabama State.
“My highest qualification is AC. I attended primary and secondary school. I have an AC from Terracotta Education, based in Alabama State.”
Justina encouraged Nigerian women to rely less on their husbands for financial stability by using her personal experience.
She encouraged women to pick up a skill or work at any respectable job that they can depend on, no matter how little it might seem at first.
“My advice for all women all over Nigeria is not to be dependent on a husband or a man. Try as much as possible to do something for yourself, because marriage either ends in death, separation or divorce.
“Anything can happen. So, if you’re a woman and you’re watching me, find something.
“No matter how small, no matter how big or how large you are, stick to what you are doing. Stick to what you believe in, and one day is one day. God will surely bless you in that way.”
The Okada rider also appealed to men to support the women in their lives, particularly their wives, sisters and daughters.
“And my little advice to men today is: make sure you support your wife. Make sure you support your sisters. Make sure you support your daughters.
“Because the life that we are in, especially now, is not the way it was before.”
Justina said she has several ambitions and ideas that she hopes to pursue in the future, including her long-standing desire to work in a uniformed service.
She explained that she had applied several times because of her passion for military and other uniformed work.
“I have a lot of ambitions. I have a lot of dreams. I have a lot of ideas, genius ideas to venture into, as God will give me the news tomorrow.
“In life, just as you asked, I wanted to wear a uniform too, any colour, military uniform, which I have applied for from the earliest stage, when I was 22 or 23.
“Even if it was last year, even this year, simply because I applied, due to the love and passion I have for uniformed work.”
However, she said she has continued with her commercial motorcycle business while waiting for that opportunity.
“But as that one is not forthcoming, I still relentlessly continue on my hustle, and God has been helping me