Though expensive, Nigerian ladies go crazy on jeeps

Why do women love to drive in jeeps? The answer: it enrolls them in a social class.  That does not mean they buy the vehicles from their pockets. Many confessed that their husbands paid the bill, whether they are in politics, business or in any social class. According to Mrs Kate Fajimi, 32, she enjoys […]

Why do women love to drive in jeeps? The answer: it enrolls them in a social class.  That does not mean they buy the vehicles from their pockets. Many confessed that their husbands paid the bill, whether they are in politics, business or in any social class.

According to Mrs Kate Fajimi, 32, she enjoys driving a jeep. She drives her jeep, a Rava 4 of Honda brand. “I love driving stylishly with one hand, and I enjoy it the more since the car is automatic.”

Because she loves her jeep, Fajimi ensures she washes her jeep twice a week at a car wash. On why she rides the jeep, she said, “I know the car is expensive but I want to be seen as living a higher brow of life than the people who live around me. But, most importantly, I enjoy myself whenever I drive the car. I feel comfortable in it. I prefer big cars to smaller ones because I feel relaxed in big, large cars.”

Mrs Elizabeth Joshua, 36, told our reporter that she prefers to ride in jeeps because “of the comfort and the nature of the ride. I love Honda products, like CRV or Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). They are not expensive because the one I drive is a fairly used one, not a brand new car.” She said her reason for purchasing fairly used vehicles is because she wanted “to cut her coat according to her size.” She also said that the CRV is a unisex car and can be used for all occasions.

Mrs Joshua washes her jeep every day, but at weekends she would seek the services of professional car washers.

According to Mrs Joshua, she is accustomed to Honda products, their spare parts can be easily found in Nigerian markets, in case of the need to repair them.

It is not a surprise that women go for jeeps nowadays, says  Mrs Rose Ijeoma, 40, She agreed with the other women that jeeps are rather more comfortable to women than other types of cars. “They’re also good and affordable,” Mrs Ijeoma added.

“It’s today’s family car in Nigeria, especially the Toyota Sienna space van, which I have. It is spacious and good for family travels. It’s a unique car, and not very expensive to own,” the woman explained.

Mrs Ijeoma said she took her Sienna space bus to car wash every other day for thorough cleaning.

She added that she prefers jeeps because of the rough roads in Nigeria.

One of the unique ladies in Akwa Ibom Kingdom is Queen Obong Awwan M. A. W. Udosen, 40. According to her, she loves jeeps because she feels very comfortable in them. She added that “I bought my jeep because of the poor condition of roads in Nigeria today. Compared to smaller cars, jeeps are quite expensive, especially the spare parts. You need a lot of money to keep them in good state, but they’re worth the trouble.”

The queen, who uses an M-class Mercedes jeep, added that it costs money to maintain a jeep, but “I believe that jeeps give me respect because of my position in Akwa Ibom Kingdom. Everywhere people see me they accept that I belong to a particular class in the society.”

A 28-year-old mother of two, Mrs. Dorathy Abuinike, said jeeps are very good, balances on the ground and very comfortable. “Whenever I ride my jeep, I feel good, I feel a sense of belonging to a social class in Nigeria. I believe that jeeps are the best cars at the moment, and for our roads, they can beat our bumpy and potholed highways.”

She said jeeps are unique cars; expensive but strong.

Mrs Angela Jakanyi, 29 years old, said jeeps are not particularly special. “They’re like other cars you find on the road. Relatively cheap, with a little bit higher fuel consumption. But if the car has automatic system, it makes up for the high cost because driving them is less stressful.”

According to her, jeeps are particularly spacious and good for relaxed driving. “But I use my jeep when the occasion warrants it; not at all times. Depending on the type of jeep, the cars are good for both male and female riders.  I wash my jeep three times every week.”