Joy Amara Ihezie, is a female Keke rider operating in Warri specifically around PTI Road and Jakpa Road. Her journey into the world of Keke (tricycle) riding started in 2021 when she could not secure a well-paying job, despite her academic qualifications.
Joy graduated from the University of Calabar in 2015, earning a degree in Sociology. However, after completing her mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC), her job search yielded only teaching positions with poor salaries, far below her expectations.
Speaking to Niger Delta Insider, Joy said she began her career as a Keke rider after having a conversation with a Keke operator from her neighborhood.
“I saw a Keke rider who lived around my area and decided to ask him about the business. As he rode, I asked if he made good money from it. He said there was profit. That’s when I told him I wanted to learn how to ride, and he agreed to teach me if I was serious. That conversation marked the beginning of this journey,” she explained
After learning the ropes, Joy took the plunge and secured a Keke on a hire-purchase basis, officially starting her business on May 1, 2021. Since then, she hasn’t looked back. Joy takes pride in her work, earning a decent income, and confidently breaking gender stereotypes in an industry predominantly dominated by men.
NigerDelta Insider