A commercial tricycle operator, Egborogo Onome, on Tuesday offered free rides to passengers in the commercial city of Uvwie in Delta State as a way to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
In a viral video, Onome said he took the initiative to support passengers plying different routes in Effurun, Airport Road, Effurun Roundabout, Enerhen Junction, Jakpa Road and other parts of Uvwie to cushion the effects of the economic hardship on the people as well as celebrate his country’s 64th Independence Day.
His tricycle was decorated with the flag of Nigeria, green balloons as well as other items depicting the green-white-green national colours.
One of the beneficiaries of Mr Onome’s gesture, and a journalist with the Daily Trust newspapers based in Delta State, Kelvin Meluwa, captured the now viral video.
Meluwa asked the tricycle operator why he decided to give his passengers free rides throughout the day despite having to buy fuel at the rate 0f N1, 200 per litre? His reply was: “This very day, I want to put (a)smile on people’s face(s)…
“Because, I noticed that a lot of people can no longer afford to pay this transport (fare)”.
He said he spent four days to be able to put enough money together to purchase fuel to run the Independence Day special operation.
