Shoe making is one of the trades you hardly find women engaged in. Meanwhile, Mrs Bukky Nosirudeen proves to be an exemption. She abandoned the university for the shoe making business in 1990.She speaks on what it takes for a woman to be in a business generally believed to be for men alongside her counterpart, Mr Tony Okere.
Mrs Nosirudeen speaks first.
How do you feel in a man’s world?
It is a challenge to be in the shoe-making industry which is rather dominated by men. I see it as a great opportunity and a challenge, and I believe I can achieve success, I’m happily coping with what men can do. I have the zeal to compete with my male colleagues and excel.
What is responsible for lack of artisans?
Youths of nowadays don’t have the patience to learn work, but they want quick money. There are some of them who may consent to be trained but you must pay them well on daily basis. There is another category of unemployed youths who desire to earn fabulous amount without any reasonable justification in terms of labour and productivity. That is why for those us in this footwear business we need to train artisans who will be productive to create room for expansion and growth of the business. We want Government to assist us financially to enable us pay artisans in training. I trained for five years, in all aspects footwear production. I know the job, and I can afford to produce alone…which some of my colleagues who lack profound experience and expertise on the job cannot afford due to inadequate training. When it comes to the nitty-gritty of the job they are incompetent to cope. They need hands which they cannot afford because they cannot pay them. That is why the Government has a role to play to fill in the vacuum….
Why can’t you engage youths and train them in shoe-making business?
Bukky Nosirudeen
Most of the youths don’t want to work but they want to have money and enjoy. Some want white-kola jobs where they will relax in an air-condition office and work without much stress. But the background of children is very important, and parents have vital role to play to make them responsible and what they desire them to be in life. If you have a 14-year-old daughter, you as a mother or father should be able to introduce her to something to do in life where the white-kola job is not available. To learn work or business is very important as an alternative instead of staying idle at home. These youths roaming the streets were not properly handled and channeled to a particular course by their parents. That is why they are not willing to avail themselves of the available opportunity to be trained. They rather see it as not a worthwhile venture but they don’t know that footwear business is not just a paying profession but life-sustaining work if you like to work hard.
How can we curb the dearth of artisans in Nigeria?
Artisans need training, not short term, but to be sufficiently trained and be a well grounded professionals who know all aspects of footwear production, and such persons will have craving…and the knack for the job. If such skilled manpower was not gotten on a platter of gold, it can stand the test of time and cannot be toyed with. They cannot afford to abandon what they invested so much in (time and resources), and they can reap the benefits of the job one of which is sustainability in life and other prospects.
What does it take to acquire versatile skills in shoe making ?
It takes determination, patience, endurance and love for the job. All of these I have imbibed in the course of my training as a dedicated apprentice at Ajegunle. My uncle exposed me to the rudiments of the job: industrial machines and other shoe-making equipment for mass production. It is interesting indeed, as a lady in a man’s world; I have all it takes to do the work as a one-man squad because I had the privilege and patience to train for five years within which I learnt how to operate all the machines, and I can handle all the tools and the equipments. I can produce foot-wears all alone from the beginning to the end; it is a herculean task and very stressful.
As a married woman with children are you comfortable with strenuous job of producing foot-wears?
I developed interest in shoe-making business about 1990, when I paid a visit to my uncle at Ajegunle, Olodi-Apapa; as we got discussing I narrated how I finished my school certificate exam the previous year, and got admission to read a science degree course at University of Lagos, but had to withdraw as a result of financial challenges; my parents could not afford to pay my school fees. Thereafter I had nothing doing. My uncle suggested to me to join him to learn shoe-making which though challenging has tremendous and sustainable rewards. My uncle’s counsel proffered a solution to my unemployment situation and an elixir for life. I left home blissful and with the resolve to go for a five-year training as a shoemaker apprentice. This singular decision to heed the counsel of my uncle is supporting and sustaining me and my family. My husband is in full support of the business.
What are your challenges and weaknesses of the job?
Bukky Nosirudeen
Lack of artisans (skilled labour), capital, financial aid from government and organisation that will
enable us train artisans to ensure expansion and growth. Without money you can’t train anybody.
With these challenges, expansion and growth in shoe-making industry as an individual will be a far cry.
In terms of quality can you compare your products with Italian shoes?
I use Italian quality leather, sole and other materials to produce quality foot-wears. The only difference is that the shoes are made in Nigerian, but they can last long like Italian products.
How do you market your products?
I sell to those who walk into my shop to buy, and I also supply to customers. If you go round Aguda, Ogba, you will see my products. I am into mass production to supply to other people in foot wears business.
Tony Okere: Curious movement from engineering to shoe making
As a man is shoe-making business the profession you chose in life?
I started the shoe-making business in 1987, after my school certificate examination. While I was in school I wished to study engineering but my hope was dashed as my parents could not afford my university education. I then signed for shoe-making training for three years heeding my elder brother’s suggestion as the only succour. After one year and six months I was done with the training and I started producing foot-wears, assorted designs.
Is shoe-making business profitable?
Foot -wears business is good and profitable. My Oga, Mr Christantus Umoh was exporting the shoes we produced in Lagos to Cameroun, Chad and Niger. After one year and six months I was done with my training and I produced a lot of foot-wears, assorted designs.What I was producing on my own as an apprentice motivated me to start my own business.
Shortly, I had to start my own business, producing foot-wears and belts because I mastered the job while in training. It was very good and profitable business. It was not long I started taking care of my my siblings in the colleger even sponsored two of them up to university. After my brother graduated from the university he has not been a able to get job but he has joined me as you can producing foot wears, and this is what is sustaining him .
What do you think is responsible for the dearth of artisans in the shoe industry whereas women are taking over?
Some artisans of nowadays don’t have the patience to work under someone they will prefer to own and manage the business. But they don’t have capital to start the business and run it successfully. Some artisans in the same vein who want to work will ask for big money which the owner would not be comfortable to pay. And women have observed that foot-wears industry is profitable and self-sustaining business so they are exploiting the available opportunity. When I go to market to buy materials women will fill the market buying foot-wears materials. Abroad more women are into the business than men. I have watched a documentary abroad only women are working in the shoe-making industry.
Why do you specialise in production of sandals,pam(casual foot-wears) and belts instead of shoes?
Casual foot wears, sandals and belts are in high demand so it’s worthwhile to produce and market what is in high demand.
Why don’t you train people or youths in shoe-making business?
Tony
They are not willing to be trained, and they don’t have patience to work, but they want big money. One who came for training demanded for N2,500 daily pay—which is about N70,000 per month whereas some graduates don’t earn up to N50,000 per month in the private sector business. But they take solace in riding motor-bike, Keke Marwa.
Would you mind your children stepping into yours after their education in future?
Why not? I will like to train them to take over and do it on a wide scale. But I will need capital to expand the business before they can take over.
How do you market your products?
I sell to individuals,and I also supply to customers in Mushin, Oshodi and ‘other parts of Lagos. I am into mass production of the foot-wears and belts.
Can you compare the quality of your products with Italian shoes?
Very well. The only difference is that a Nigerian produced them. I buy Italian leather and sole. What are your challenges on the job?
Expansion of the business,and I need capital to expand the business. Another challenge is power failure. If there is constant light business will thrive.
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