One

Nov 04, 2023

4th June 2023

• Says accident shattered his dreams, but he won’t give up

From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki

Many physically challenged persons in Nigeria sit lazily at home lamenting their condition while some others engage in begging for alms to survive.

Yet, some of them involve in legitimate businesses or skills to fend for themselves and contribute their quota to the growth of the economy and development of the country.

One of such persons is Awoke Chukwuma, a popular one-legged vulcanizer along Nkaliki Road, close to the gate of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The father of two children, who hails from Umeezaka Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, always caught the attention of people with his clutches while fixing deflated vehicle and motorcycle tyres. Not a few school children around Nkaliki area often go to school late while watching Awoke on duty during week days.

He is a spectacular to behold given the dexterity he brings to bear while fixing tyres. His pale skin colour and pinkish eyes also draw attention to him. Most often, he had more people watching him out of sheer astonishment than those patronising his work.

He recently caught the attention of Sunday Sun, which prompted our correspondent to visit his workshop. Awoke said he made up his mind to be the best in his work so that people would not say it is because he is physically challenged.

He said: “Even when I am working for my customers, I would see the surprise in their eyes. Sometimes, people gather here, including school children just to watch me. I am used to having more people watching me than customers. But I am happy that none of my customers had ever complained that I did not do their work well.

“It was difficult for me the first period I started the work. Many people didn’t believe I can fix their tyres well, and on time. So, any of them who is in a hurry, would prefer to go to another vulcaniser, thinking I will be slow to deliver.

“But I didn’t give up. I kept enduring it. And after some time, they discovered that I could do anything a full-bodied vulcaniser could do, and they started trusting me.

“I thank God for this work. It has helped me to take care of my children. I have a wife and two children. It is from what I make from this work that I use to take cater for them.”

Asked if he was born that way, Awoke, immediately broke down in tears. He said he lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident. He added that the accident shattered his dreams of furthering his education and doing other meaningful things in life.

“I had my leg problem in 2017 from an accident while travelling from Ezzangbo Junction in Ohaukwu LGA to my village. I was in a motorcycle, and someone hit me face to face. I was even lucky to have survived the accident. The person who collided with me died on the spot. But God saved my life. I had just come out of secondary school. It was after I had this accident, that I decided to learn this work. Because I don’t want to beg. I have done this work for three years.

“After I regained myself from the accident, a lot of thoughts were on my mind on what to do with my life next. But I finally settled for this, and I don’t regret it.

“It is the money that I made from this work that I used to marry. My wife has been a great pillar of support for me. When I wanted to marry her, the family objected because of my condition. They asked her why she chose me of all the men in the society. They said I could not be able to take care of her. But she ignored them and still married me. She is a blessing to me,” he narrated.

Awoke recalled how some public-spirited individuals have been helping him and his family ever since the incident. He disclosed that recently, some good Nigerians contributed money and bought a new vulcanising machine for him.

“Good people have been coming my way and helping me and my family. If not, it won’t be easy for me. Just recently, through one of my customers, Mr. Pius Ntamo, some good Nigerians contributed money and bought a vulcanising machine for me and also donated some cash.

“And with the new machine, the work is now easier and faster.”

He said that people had urged him to raise money and get a prosthetic leg but was told that it would be expensive and beyond what he can afford.

He, therefore, appealed to public-spirited individuals and organisations to come to his aid.

He said: “I can’t afford it. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to good Nigerians to help me get the prosthetic leg. It will go a long way to help me. Very soon my children will grow up and their education will require a lot of money. I don’t need to depend on people for that but with that prosthetic leg, I will be strong enough to work,” he stated.

A motorcyclist who gave his name as Marcel Alegu, described Awoke as an exemplary industrious young man who should be emulated by other physically challenged people in the society.

“Somebody like him is an inspiration to others. You can still do something when you have leg or hand problem. Just look for what you can do and God will help you instead of begging everyday for a living.

“People will even help you when they see that you have started helping yourself. I like this man; that is why every time my motorcycle tyre is deflated, I bring it to him to fix. And he is good in what he is doing,” he said

Another of his customer, Pius Ntamo, a banker in Abakaliki, praised Awoke’s industry and resilience.

Ntamo whose post on Facebook attracted a philanthropist who donated a new vulcanising machine with other equipment to Awoke said he met the vulcaniser the day his tyre punctured around Nkaliki.

“Awoke Chukwuma is a one-legged vulcanizer I often see from afar working, until a day my car tyre got deflated and I sought his services.

“I was so amazed that despite his one leg hopped off, he effectively delivered and on time. I do see people of such disability working around the streets and parks begging. To Awoke Chukwuma, it was a different decision to work things out for himself. It is highly commendable.

“On interrogation, I discovered he has two children, an indication of a responsible man. I felt a strong desire he should be helped, and I made a post on Facebook calling for help for him, and he was assisted with a new vulcanizing machine and cash donations from people of good heart to fuel the machine for a period of six months.

“Awoke Chukwuma will be much happier if assisted with artificial leg to booster his efficiency in his vulcanizing services,” he said.

Any person or group wishing to support the physically challenged vulcaniser, should reach him via 09132269032 or send donation to Awoke Chukwuma Awoke, 0162489955 Union Bank.