I conquered poverty through skill acquisition – Barber

Daily Trust: How did you become a barber? Atekha Osahon: I became a barber by chance though I learnt the trade. When I was in secondary school, I used to visit my brother who operates a barbing salon after close of school. At a point, I said to myself ‘why not learn the trade’, so […]

Daily Trust: How did you become a barber?

Atekha Osahon: I became a barber by chance though I learnt the trade. When I was in secondary school, I used to visit my brother who operates a barbing salon after close of school. At a point, I said to myself ‘why not learn the trade’, so I did, just for the fun of it because I never thought I would depend on it as a means of livelihood.

DT: At what point did you decide to open your own salon since you were not prepared to be a barber?

Osahon: I had wanted to further my education but when it was not possible, I said to myself, since I’ve already acquired a skill, why not use it instead of wasting time. And I was good on the job because I was already helping my brother in his shop. So, when things became difficult for me I decided to open my own shop.

DT: So far, how has it been with the business?

Osahon: I give glory to God. It has grown beyond my expectation. Initially, I had the fear of not being able to measure up in the business but today I thank God for not losing faith in myself. If you learn a trade or acquire a skill, you have conquered poverty unless the person is not serious. You may not live big but you would be able to take care of yourself, your family and also help others. 

DT: What’s the secret of your success in the business?

Osahon: Dedication, being focused and knowing what you are doing. If you have these attributes the sky is your limit. If you are not dedicated and become an expert on the job you would lose customers and once you start losing customers you can’t be in the business.  

DT: What’s the profit like? 

Osahon: There are times the business is good and at other times not so good, but all the same it’s been good for me. There is no week, no matter how bad, that I don’t smile home with N10, 000 profit. From this business, I got married and I’m taking care of my wife and a child.  I have also opened a fish farming business through this salon. When you are dedicated and good in what you do, people will look for you because your work will speak for you.

DT: What does one need to start the business? 

Osahon: All you need is to get a clipper, generator, chairs and a shop. once you get them the sky is your limit. When the business is progressing, you can decide to buy a television because it will attract more customers. In my case, I was buying the items one after the other. It was after I had bought them that I rented a shop.

DT: What challenges do you face on the job?

Osahon: One of the major challenges is incessant power outage, and to be on the job you must constantly fuel your generator which is not good for our pocket. Another challenge is some customers looking down on you because you are a barber.

DT: What’s your message to youths roaming the streets or waiting for white collar jobs?

Osahon: There is nothing like skill acquisition or learning a trade. Once you are armed with any of these, you can’t suffer. If politicians realize that you’d never depend on them for survival, they will not recruit you for thuggery.