Many people often wonder why there are so many women riding okada in Nnewi town in Anambra State. MICHAEL OVAT in this report explores on all sides of the argument.
IT is a typical Nigerian city with the hustle and bustle of a commercial hub where business activities run full throttle on a normal day as millions of naira exchange hands between businessmen and their customers.
Welcome to Nnewi a commercial heartbeat of Anambra state where you are more likely to be knocked down by a motorcycle than a car and wait for this, the probability is as high as 95 per cent that the rider would be a woman. Not because women are bad okada riders but simply because women outnumber their male counterparts among the motorbike riders ofNnewi.
Nnewi encompasses two local government areas in Anambra State: Nnewi North and Nnewi South. These two local government areas also comprise four autonomous quarters: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewi-ichi.
The city is governed by a traditional ruler known as Igwe, while every autonomous community in Nnewi central has an Obi (individual community’s traditional ruler). For example, the Obi of Otolo, who is invariably the Igwe, is the head of all the Obis and the holder of the OFO, the cultural political and religious symbol of leadership.
The present Igwe ofNnewi, Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu 111 is the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria and a highly respected first-class chief in Anambra State. Igweship in Nnewi is by inheritance thus the mantle of leadership is neither electable nor negotiable. Power is transferred from the King to his son. Annually, the Igwe holds a cultural festival known as Ofala to celebrate his coronation; this festival is attended by dignitaries from within and outside the country.
While trying to explain why there are many women riding motorbikes in Nnewi, some people have proffered different arguments. Some say the motorbikes are part of the requirements by the prospective bride for the family of their daughter’s prospective husband.
Another school of thought says the reason for the ubiquitous ‘Nwanyi Nnewi,’ (the motorbikes) is because the city has a thriving motorbike industry and being a common place it is often given as gifts to customers, friends and others.
Marriage in Nnewi
However, it may not be out of place for intending grooms to give a motorbike to their intending wife during the marriage rites. In Nnewi there are three types of marriages in the traditional marriages which usually take place in the house of the bride; the White wedding, held in a Registry office and which allows only one wife; and the religious marriage.
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The official marriage ceremony is called “Igbankwu”, which is the Igbo word for the traditional marriage ceremony before the woman is given in marriage to the husband.
Speaking on the latter school of thought about the motorbike being on the list of items given to a prospective husband, a staff of the Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS), Mr. Ejike Ogochukwu, who is married to an Nnewi woman, told Sunday Tribune that the argument is not valid.
He said Nnewi being an industrial and commercial city where auto engines are manufactured and a thriving market for motorbikes, people, irrespective of their gender, could afford one or two for themselves as a way of meeting their transport needs.
“Nnewi is a business city with a lot of economic activities going on a daily basis by businessmen and women. Next to Onitsha, it is an economic hub for commerce, industry and trade in Anambra State.
There are numerous large and small markets in the town including Nkwo Nnewi which is one of the largest auto and motorcycle spare parts market in Nigeria.
“Also, the majority of residents ofNnewi are traders who specialise in assembling of auto and motorcycles spare parts. The motorcycle market atNnewi has grown to the extent that every household owns one.
So it can be given as a gift to loved ones, business partners, and friends and as a way of providing service support to customers,” Ogochukwu said.
A civil servant in the State, who hails from Otolo Nnewi, Mrs Kate Nwachukwu, on her part, said the motorbike being used as a means of transport by both single and married women has nothing to do with the requirements listed by parents of prospective brides for their daughters’ suitors.
“Be that as it may, the motorbike is very important in the life of every Nnewi woman and anyone who plans to come to Nnewi, either on a visitor to live there, must expect that women too, could ride motorbikes for their personal transport needs.
“Typically, people ofNnewi love to move around on motorcycles. In fact, every household in Nnewi is believed to own at least two lightweight ‘Nwanyi Nnewi.’ Some families are said to have up to five or six motorbikes,” she added.
Mrs Nwachukwu, however, sees the brighter side of the motorbike saga as she concluded that, the brighter the use of motorcycles gives easy access to areas within the city with poor road network where cars find difficult to navigate.
It is also said that the availability of the motorbikes at affordable prices is responsible for its presence everywhere in the city.
Whatever may be the real reason for the love of motorbikes by women ofNnewi, it may not be a bad idea for the average visitor to the city to join the bandwagon, because as they say: “if you can’t beat them join them.”
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