The Abia State Government has commended a commercial bus driver, Onyekachi Ikpendu, for returning more than ₦400,000 and other personal belongings forgotten in his vehicle by a passenger, describing his action as a demonstration of honesty, integrity and responsible citizenship.
Ikpendu reportedly found the money after a passenger, Nkechi John, a trader, boarded his bus from Uzuakoli to the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal but alighted at Ubani Market and inadvertently left behind her bag containing the cash and other belongings.
After discovering the loss, John rushed to the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in search of the vehicle. She eventually found that Ikpendu had secured the bag and was waiting for its owner to return.
Speaking with journalists at the terminal on Friday, the driver said he never considered keeping the money, stressing that he was satisfied earning a living through honest work.
“I am grateful because I am not eating somebody’s sweat; I am eating my own.
“No amount of money I see now will move me to take what does not belong to me,” Ikpendu said.
He added that his decision to return the money was also influenced by his belief that honesty and good deeds attract their own reward.
John, who expressed gratitude to the driver, disclosed that the money was meant for her business.
She also commended Governor Alex Otti for constructing the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal, saying the facility made it possible for her to trace the vehicle and recover the cash.
Reacting to the incident, Abia State Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, praised Ikpendu for resisting the temptation to keep the money and urged other residents to emulate him.
Ukaegbu said the incident reflected the importance of honesty in everyday life and, in his view, showed a positive shift in attitudes among residents towards doing the right thing voluntarily.
“Our people are showing gratitude to His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, for the good work.
“Honestly, the mindset of the people is changing towards doing the right thing without even being compelled to do so,” the commissioner said.