Sandra Aguebor
Sandra Aguebor | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970s |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Education | Pan-Atlantic University |
| Occupation | Mechanic |
| Known for | Being the first female Nigerian mechanic |
Sandra Aguebor or Aguebor-Ekperuoh is a Nigerian mechanic.[1] She is reported as being the first woman mechanic in Nigeria. She is also the founder of the Lady Mechanic Initiative, which trains sexually abused and underprivileged women to become mechanics and fend for themselves.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Sandra Aguebor was born in 1970s in Benin, Nigeria to the late Mr. & Mrs. R.A Aguebor[3].she began her educational journey at Ivbiotor Primary School. Subsequently, she attended St. Maria Goretti Grammar School in Benin, followed by Benin Technical College, where she honed her technical skills. Her educational pursuits culminated in graduating from Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State. Additionally, she holds a degree from Goethe Institute, a German in school based Lagos State.[4][5]
Career
[edit]After graduation, she embarked on a career that included working for Edo Line and Nigeria Railway Corporation. Following the launch of her auto repair garage, despite facing setbacks like the demolition of her workshop, Sandra persevered.[6]Transitioning to a mobile workshop, she provided on-the-spot emergency vehicle service along Lagos freeways and eventually established two more garages in the city.[7]Today, she passionately dedicates her time to empowering young women, rescuing them from the streets and fostering their development by imparting valuable skills, particularly in the automotive industry.[8][9][10][11]
Speaking on gender inequality and male privilege, Aguebor explained that she had to put in five times more effort more than men to be taken seriously, however, she decried being labelled "lady mechanic" by her colleagues instead of just "mechanic".[12] In 2015, she was the subject of a film, produced by Al Jazeera, titled Sandra Aguebor: The Lady Mechanic. The film won awards at New York Film Festival.[13][14]
Aguebor was nominated for the COWLSO award, an initiative established by Lagos State government in 1974 to honour individuals that have contributed to the "social welfare of the state".[15][16] She was presented the inspirational woman of the year award by Dolapo Osinbajo and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who noted that she used her "skills and talent to make positive impact to the society in an area dominated by men".[17] She was also given a national merit award by federal government of Nigeria.[18]
Speaking to Vanguard at the graduation ceremony of 50 female mechanics, Aguebor disclosed that she has trained over 700 mechanics so far. She is married with children.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ "We Are Together: Fixing Cars and Women's Lives En Route". commondreams.org. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Sandra Aguebor: Lady Mechanic". Aljazeera. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "My Nigeria - Sandra Aguebor: Lady Mechanic | Al Jazeera Content Sales". contentsales.aljazeera.net. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Sandra Aguebor". edoworld.net. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ LadyMech. "Everything You Should Know About Sandra Aguebor, Nigeria's First Female Mechanic | Lady Mechanic Initiative". Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Sandra Aguebor". edoworld.net. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ LadyMech. "Everything You Should Know About Sandra Aguebor, Nigeria's First Female Mechanic | Lady Mechanic Initiative". Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ LadyMech. "Everything You Should Know About Sandra Aguebor, Nigeria's First Female Mechanic | Lady Mechanic Initiative". Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Sandra Aguebor: Lady Mechanic - PAN AFRICAN VISIONS". panafricanvisions.com. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ punchng (29 October 2016). "I love my job, I can sleep in the garage —Lady Mechanic". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "My Nigeria - Sandra Aguebor: Lady Mechanic | Al Jazeera Content Sales". contentsales.aljazeera.net. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Damilola, Odufuwa. "Sandra Aguebor, The First Female Mechanic In Nigeria, Is Teaching Women How To Fix Cars". Konbini. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Al Jazeera Set to Release Its 'My Nigeria' Series on 24th August 2015". BellaNaija. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "My Nigeria – Sandra Aguebor: Lady Mechanic Wins Silver At New York Festivals". Woman.ng. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Lady Mechanic Initiative: Edo Ambassador, Sandra Aguebor to receive Inspirational Woman Award". Edo State government. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Lady Mechanic, Sandra Aguebor gets COWLSO award". citybusinessnews.com. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "Lady Mechanic, Mrs. Sandra Aguebor Gets Inspirational Award From Ambode (Photos)". autojosh.com. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ a b Eribake, Akintayo (3 August 2014). "I abandoned Switzerland residency for lady mechanic job". Vanguard. Nigeria. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
External links
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