...Solicits patronage, support for services
...Wants sponsorship for further training
Priscilla Akpanettot
Her name is Emek Joe William, a 33 year old auto technician who specializes in car alignment and wheel balancing at PMB Services, Transossa Fuel Station, Ikot Ekpene Road (Opposite former APC Office) in Uyo.
Popularly called ‘Mama Solution’, she repairs and fixes car bolt joint and tyrods, works on car steerings, changes gear box oil and gives general advise relating to vehicle maintenance.
Sharing her motivation and experience at the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) commemoration of the International Women’s Day recently, ‘Mama Solution’ was confident of a future in the industry.
The indigene of Ikot Otoiwo in Ukanafun Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State traced her interest in the industry to her days as a student of Technical College, Ikot Akata in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area where she attended practical classes with students in the automobile department, even when she wasn’t part of them. She then moved to acquire more training at her current place of work, under the tutelage of Engr. Patrick Malachi Bassey, CEO PMB Services and Engr. Idongesit Nnah Johnson, respectively for three years.
She noted that her husband and the duo of Engr. Bassey and Engr. Nnah motivated and encouraged her to go into the field and have contributed positively to her success and fame in the field.
On how she came by the name ‘Mama Solution’, the female Vulcanizer answered that it came as a compliment from satisfied clients whose cars she has repaired.
“I have the solution to any car tyre problem and other related issues. That is how the name ‘Mama Solution’ came about", she said. “Many customers appreciate me but some don't because they think I’m not capable of delivering the job efficiently due to my gender. So, they will only want the male workers to repair their cars but those who know me have been recommending customers to me and I do not disappoint them”, she said.
When asked how she feels about working in a male-dominated field, ‘Mama Solution’ said she was proud of herself and feels honored. “The desire to take this bold step and delve into this male-dominated field was borne out of the desire to break the gender barrier and stereotypes against women, to pave way for more women to come into the industry”, she explains.
Despite the discrimination from male customers who would rather want her male counterparts to handle their cars, ‘Mama Solution’ remains undeterred. Her only challenge so far has been finance. She expressed a strong readiness to expand her business by acquiring certain work tools and equipment if she was financially unconstrained.
Meanwhile, ‘Mama Solution’ is a final year student of the Faculty of Management Science, Jim Polytechnic, Afaha Oku, Uyo which is affiliated to Temple Gate Polytechnic in Abia state. She plans to venture into large-scale sales of automobile spare parts where she can be an employer of labour and thus, reduce unemployment.
Asking about her thoughts on the risks and hazards on the job, ‘Mama Solution’ replied that danger is inevitable and at such, she adheres to safety tips to avert hazards. While calling for patronage from all car owners and drivers within and outside the State, she expressed readiness to go for some professional trainings to gain more knowledge on what she does if given the opportunity.
She also prays to carry out her National Youth Service programme with multinational firms such as Shell, Mobil, Chevron and the likes, to advance her tap knowledge in the industry.
The female Vulcanizer charged other women to rise in pursuance of their passion and not wait for white-collar jobs, while striving to be the best in their chosen endeavours.
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