Group empowers, trains women keke riders

The Simba Group, distributors of TVS King tricycles, have held a graduation ceremony for women keke riders following training programs held for them in November. In total, the graduating batch consisted of 32 women trained in both safe riding and basic maintenance of TVS King tricycles.

The ceremony was presided by Ms. Soni Joe, representative of the office of Mrs. Duke, Head of the Empretec Foundation in Nigeria. Others were Mrs. Titilayo Eko, Executive Director, Network of Entrepreneurial Women; Mr. Adewole Ologbenla, Lagos State Coordinator for the National Directorate of Employment; Comrade Owolabi, Branch Chairman, Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, Agege branch and senior executives of Simba group.

A company spokesperson and National Sales Manager, Mr. Oyedeji Olaniran, explained why women empowerment is a key focus of the Simba Group and in particular how the Queen Rider’s Program, is a key platform for achieving their vision of improving Nigerian lives and society.

“The Queen Riders program was born from the group’s desire to train women from under-represented backgrounds, so that they have a chance to increase their total family income. The Simba training school which also conducts advanced mechanic courses, has provided training to these riders, free of cost.”

After the women are trained and certified, they also have the option to be put in contact with various tricycle fleet owners and microfinance institutions so that they have a better chance of availing these micro-entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Simba group, one of the country’s most respected business groups, has been in Nigeria for over 30 years. The group has contributed greatly to the Nigerian economy, and its portfolio of widely recognised brands, continue to dominate industries in which it operates.