Meet graduate of biology who became carpenter

When did you graduate from the university and what have you been doing after your graduation?I graduated from University of Maiduguri in 2004 and since then I have been doing what I know how to do best, that is furniture and woodwork. Did you learn woodwork at any point in your life?Yes I have a […]

When did you graduate from the university and what have you been doing after your graduation?
I graduated from University of Maiduguri in 2004 and since then I have been doing what I know how to do best, that is furniture and woodwork.

Did you learn woodwork at any point in your life?
Yes I have a certificate in woodwork and joinery from Borno State vocational centre. I have a diploma in wood work from Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri after which I spent five years in a furniture factory called Hassan Furniture in Maiduguri from 1995 to 2000, before going to the university.  I inherited the passion for woodwork from my father and I can proudly say that woodwork is part of me. My father was a technician.   

Why are you not working with your Biology certificate?
I actually wanted to work with it but I discovered I have a stronger passion for woodwork.

Why did you study Biology in school since you have passion for woodwork?
I did not apply for Biology, I applied for woodwork and joinery but the course was not available at the institution, so I was offered Biology Education and because I didn’t want to miss the opportunity, I decided to go for the Biology.

Is your knowledge of Biology connected to woodwork?
It does not directly have impact on my woodwork. When you study Biology Education, you are studying two courses at the same time because anything that has to do with education, you are studying the main course, that is Biology and Education at the same time. Anything that has to do with education usually widens the brain, enhances exposure and composure. So the knowledge I acquired in school makes me more composed in my woodwork.

What are the things you do in woodwork?
I do so many things. I was actually trained as a cabinet maker, so I do anything pertaining to cabinets, chairs, wardrobes, bed and metal work among others, because I was also trained to do metal work under joinery. Under joinery, we also make iron beds, chairs, tables and cabinets, among others.

What does it require for one to go into the woodwork business?
First of all, he needs to acquire the skills. He will also need to be hardworking and creative to excel in the work because it is not a lazy man’s work.

How much has the business helped better your life?
I was able to complete my studies from proceeds of this business and I also got married. Though, I lost my wife to sickness in December last year, she left behind two children. I came to Kaduna early this year from Maiduguri, so I am still trying to establish myself here. I left Maiduguri because I lost everything I have to insurgency. I used to have my own well organised furniture workshop with ten people working under me but unfortunately, my workshop happenned to be located at a war zone, the area is called Umarari business industrial area. Because Boko Haram sect members consistently carried out their activities around the industrial area, the place was shut by the military. I left my equipment there for about four months before I went back to take few that I was able to pick. That was why I came to Kaduna to start all over again.

On the average, how much do you make from the woodwork on a monthly basis?
Back in Maiduguri, when things were still going on smoothly before the insurgency, I used to make close to N500, 000 in a month but now, I am just making new contacts. I don’t even have a shop yet, I am squatting with a friend here in Kaduna. Based on what I am doing now, I will say the business is somehow lucrative, I make about N5, 000 per day because I do all kinds of woodwork, whether new or old, including minor and major repairs.

What dreams do you have for this business?
I have just been shortlisted for a skill acquisition programme which is supervised by a Turkish firm to train us on different skills including welding, woodwork and sewing. If we are able to come out with good results from the training, Borno State Government will lend assistance to us by supplying all the machines we need, based on individual’s area of specialisation. So I am sure after this training, I will get equipment and funds to do the business on a large scale and by then, the sky will be my starting point.

What is your assessment of unemployment in Nigeria and how can it be addressed?
The rate of unemployment in Nigeria is very high, if you go to Kasuwar Barchi in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, you will see a lot of graduates there doing one business or the other because there are no jobs. The last national Immigration recruitment exercise clearly highlighted the extent of the problem of unemployment in the country. I think government needs to align with some non-governmental organisations in terms of job creation, they should also do more in attracting foreign investors into the country, by doing so, lots of youths will be employed.

What is your advice to unemployed graduates who insist on white collar job?
I have never been passionate about white collar job because I love to be creative and explore my potentials. I like a job that will give me opportunity to be creative, productive and inventive. All that unemployed graduates out there need to do is to be determined and ready to explore their God given potentials because everyone has potentials, so they should not be ashamed to do any legitimate work that can earn them a livelihood and even make them employers of labour.