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Jan 30, 2007

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." --Henry Ford

Nigeria's Lady Mechanic

Sandra Aguebor, an activist known to Nigerians as the Lady Mechanic, has turned a personal passion into a successful project in female empowerment. The energetic mother of two rose from humble beginnings to national prominence as the creator of the Lady Mechanic Initiative. It's a thriving enterprise that trains disadvantaged women in Africa's most populous nation to learn a trade once considered for "men only." Aguebor began by stopping to help women whose cars had broken down on chaotic, crime-ridden Lagos streets and giving them a quick lesson or two in basic car maintenance while she changed tires or got their cars started. In 2000, with support from overseas diplomatic missions, businesses, and aid groups, Ms. Aguebor set up the Lady Mechanic Initiative, and is now passing on her lessons to some 70 young women training as car and generator mechanics placed in 12 garages across Lagos State.