Lafia -Miss Tina David, a secondary school graduate, said her financial situation had improved since she learnt wheel balancing and alignment of vehicles.
David, who plies her trade on Jos road in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Saturday.
According to her, “the difficult economic situation of the country forced me to learn wheel balancing and alignment to make ends meet.
“When I finished my secondary education, there was no work or money to further my education. Even when I tried to go to a computer school, the finance was not there. So I went to learn the trade.
“Even when I started, some family members and friends did not offer enough support.’’
She said some of her friends even made fun of her when they realized her source of income.
“My mom was happy but my dad said I will not go far in the profession. My boyfriend laughed at me and my friends too laughed at me.
“They found it funny and made fun of me but came back to rejoice with me when I succeeded’’, she said.
David explained that her determination to pay her school fees and complete her education spurred her into taking her destiny in her hands by engaging in manual jobs at building sites before learning her new trade.
She said she was not ashamed of her choice of profession as it was not illegal or a crime. “It has assisted me in meeting some of my needs.’’
David said she has experienced funny and sad moments, financial and moral support from well-wishers and customers who expressed joy over her courage to work as a car technician, a job dominated by men.
“Some customers are impressed when they see me at work. Sometimes, they give me money to support myself.
“But my saddest experience is that some of my ogas (bosses) wanted to take advantage of me, being a woman.
“I always refuse because my dignity is my pride. They always sack me for not giving out my body. Later, they will call me back; but before returning, I tell them to count me out of any other thing apart from the work and they would agree’’, she said.
She said she aspires to own a place of her own someday and advised young girls not to make wrong life choices or show disdain or pride to some professions.
“Someday, I want to become madam and own my place. Girls should not feel too big to learn a trade or work.
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“Most men do not respect ladies who are dependent. Any lady who wishes to learn a trade should not look back’’, she said. (NAN)