Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the centre of attraction yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State as he drove round some major streets in the capital city and picking up passengers in the process.
Recall that Obasanjo, who turned 85 recently, marked the birthday by donating 85 units of tricycle popularly called ‘Keke NAPEP’ to 85 youths, drawn from the 36 states of the federation.
He was sighted picking passengers from the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) end of the MKO Abiola Way to the popular Kuto market in Abeokuta.
But it was not certain how much he charged the passengers or if he collected any fare.
Speaking after returning from the rounds, Obasanjo said he embarked on riding the Keke to demonstrate to the people that there was nothing bad in riding the Keke and using the same for commercial purposes.
He said with tricycles and other small-scale businesses, youths can be self employed and ultimately, become economically independent.
He said when he recently distributed 85 Keke given to young people across the country he received some feedback that made riding keke look like an inappropriate gift, even as some wondered if that was the best for young people.
“There is nothing wrong with young people starting small. The Keke is secure and safe when handled professionally and with discipline. In fact, you can plan your business the way you wish and earn income that you can deploy to other investments. And if you can get a second one, you can give that to someone else. So, you become self-employed and you have also employed somebody.
“I have always had a passion for youths, empowerment, and employment. When I started establishing farms, do you think I could run the farm alone?
“The people I employed on the farms, some of them are PhD holders. There are veterinary doctors among them, an Agric economist, and some people that are well educated, some of my children have PhDs and are still working with me.
“The other time I checked the people that are working with us directly on our various establishments, we have over 5,000 and most of them are youths. I have always had passion for youths because there is no substitute for employment.’’
