A rare act of integrity in tough times is earning national praise as the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), Aba Zone, launches a search for Mr. Emmanuel Obodoezie, a tricycle rider who returned ₦2.04 million forgotten in his tricycle by a passenger in Aba, Abia State.
Obodoezie, whose name surfaced after a passenger, Mrs. Chika Aloysius-Iwu, confirmed the recovery of the money, reportedly found the bundle after she alighted near the Free Zone around Ariaria International Market. Despite Nigeria’s biting economic hardship, the transporter chose honesty over temptation.
In a statement signed by Victor Azubuike, Chairman of ASTOPU Aba Zone, the union hailed Obodoezie’s action as “a shining beacon of hope and moral strength,” adding that such selfless conduct deserves national recognition and reward. “This is the kind of citizen our country needs,” Azubuike emphasized.
The union is now calling on the public to assist in locating the tricycle hero, who is believed to have returned the money without leaving sufficient contact information. ASTOPU has urged Emmanuel or anyone who knows his whereabouts to report to their office at Azikiwe Road, Aba on or before Saturday, May 17, 2025, to receive his reward.
Mrs. Aloysius-Iwu, a trader in Ariaria Market, described the act as nothing short of a miracle, saying she had given up hope until the honest rider returned the full amount. “I cried when he handed me the money,” she recounted. “God will bless him beyond measure.”
Already, groups and private citizens across the state have begun pledging support to Obodoezie, saying his story is a reminder that integrity still exists, even in the most unexpected places. ASTOPU said it would not rest until he is “duly celebrated for restoring faith in humanity.”
The union plans to host a public ceremony to honour Obodoezie, and is urging corporate bodies and philanthropists to join in recognising and supporting men like him, who prove that integrity is not a luxury—it’s a choice.
