For more than five decades, 75-year-old Oladimeji Lawal has cycled through the bustling streets of Lagos Island, selling ice cream to generations of residents. With no pension, no retirement plan, and no corporate benefits, his livelihood remains tied to the wheels of his ageing bicycle—a symbol of his resilience and dedication.

While many of his peers have retired, Lawal still begins his day early, navigating the busy streets in hopes of selling enough to sustain himself. Despite the physical toll, he remains a familiar figure in Lagos Island, where he is affectionately known as “Felele” or “Pandy Joe.”

A Lifetime on Two Wheels

In an exclusive interview, Lawal recounted his journey, which began in 1968 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Born on July 22, 1950, he attended St. Patrick’s School in Abebi but had to leave after Form 6 to seek employment. His entry into the ice cream trade came by chance when a local businesswoman, Mrs. Babalola, hired him as a “cycle boy” after he demonstrated his ability to ride a bicycle.

By 1969, Lawal moved to Lagos on the advice of customers who believed the city offered better prospects. With the help of a local couple, he connected with an ice cream supplier on Odunlami Street and began his career in the city.

“At that time, the business was very lucrative,” Lawal recalled. “I could earn as much as one pound and ten shillings daily.”

His initial plan was to save money and eventually transition into the transport business. However, the steady income and familiarity with the job kept him tied to the ice cream trade.

Shattered Dreams and Lingering Regrets

Despite years of hard work, Lawal’s dreams of financial independence and retirement were never realized. In the mid-1980s, the profitability of the ice cream business began to decline. As he approached his fifties, the absence of retirement benefits became painfully clear.

“It was very late before I realized there were no retirement benefits,” Lawal admitted. “One day, a customer jokingly asked when I planned to retire, and it struck me—I had no exit plan.”

His hopes for stability were further dashed in 1990 when the then-military administrator of Lagos State, Raji Rasaki, ordered the demolition of the Maroko community. Lawal had painstakingly saved to buy a half-plot of land there, intending to build a home for his retirement.

“I stood there watching everything I worked for disappear,” he said, his voice tinged with pain. “Because I didn’t have a Certificate of Occupancy, I lost everything. That was my future, and it was gone.”

A Life of Resilience

Despite the setbacks, Lawal continues to pedal the streets of Lagos Island, though age has slowed his once-vigorous routine. He starts his day at 8 a.m., collects his supplies by 9 a.m., and spends hours cycling through the community and visiting schools. By 6 p.m., his workday ends—if he has sold all his products.

His dedication has not gone unnoticed. Over the years, some loyal customers, including local dignitaries, have offered support. At one point, a group of well-wishers, led by Princess Oyekan and a woman known as Mama Jide, pooled resources to buy him a new bicycle.

Yet, Lawal remains independent, refusing to burden others with his struggles. “I tell my children not to give me money if it will affect their livelihoods,” he said. “I have always valued having a good name. That is my greatest wealth.”

Hopes for the Future

At 75, Lawal’s aspirations remain modest. He dreams of opening a small shop to sell ice cream and soft drinks—an alternative that would ease the physical demands of cycling for hours each day.

“I need money to set up a small shop where I can store my ice cream and soft drinks,” he explained. “That way, I won’t have to ride around as much. But even now, if I don’t ride my bicycle for a day, I feel weak. My body is already used to it.”

Despite the hardships, Lawal remains grateful for the life he has led. “At least I am not begging for alms,” he said, his face breaking into a soft smile. “For that, I give thanks to God.”

His story is a poignant reminder of resilience, dedication, and the human spirit’s ability to endure—even in the face of life’s harshest challenges.