Motorcycle mechanics in Pankshin, Plateau, are making brisk business, defying the desperation and quest for white-collar jobs among youths.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, they said the business had created wealth for them and made them self-reliant.
They recounted their achievements.and expressed commitment to training as many youths as possible in the skill because the government alone could not provide jobs for everybody.
A mechanic, Mr Danlami Yilkat, said being a mechanic was joyful because of the positive impact it made in his life
Yilkat noted that many youths were desperate about getting white-collar jobs, which were scarce, adding that as a mechanic, one could make more money than in some white-collar jobs.
“I have been doing this business for more than 40 years.
“With this business, i built two houses, trained one of my sons in the university, who is now a graduate, and who has also become my partner.
“I am currently training two of my daughters in the university. In fact, I have not regretted being a mechanic,” he said.
Yilkat said aparr from his personal achievements, he also trained many young mechanics who were comfortably earning a living.
According to him, he and his son make an average earning of N25,000 daily, which is higher than what some civil servants earn.
Another mechanic with 14 years experience, Mr Danjuma Sunday, said the profession had changed his life for the better.
“I already built a house from this work. Currently, I have seven apprentices whom I am training apart from the ones I have freed.
“The youths I trained sometimes assist me financially whenever I run short of money,
” My philosophy is to teach people how to catch a fish instead of giving them a fish,” he said.
Sunday said he often made an average earning of N15,000 daily from his job.
Mr Tongji Silas, also a mechanic for more than 11 years, said he recently bought a plot of land and would soon develop it.
“I am currently training my children in school and supporting my parents as well.
“I earn an average of N15,000 daily, which is enough for me to live an average life, and I am comfortable with that,” Silas said.
He said he was currently training three apprentices, adding that he trained many youths who now owned their workshops.
The story was not different from Mr Ritong Danjuma, who has put in five years in the mechanic profession.
“I earn between N20,000 and N30,000 in a day when business is good, and I will soon lay foundation for my house from the proceeds of this work.
“Being a graduate doesn’t stop me from pursuing this line of work.
“Currently, I have five apprentices who are learning this trade under me,” Danjuma said.
NAN reports that most of the workshops visited by its correspondent were filled with young promising youths who were learning the skill after the close of the school.
