* Barbs average of 30 persons at #300 daily.
* Do contributions in multiple hands.
Nigerians being imbued with creativity and ingenuity is not an understatement. Nigerians of all walks of lives are resilient and dogged in the face of harsh economic realities. They are people who never say dies in whatever circumstances they found themselves. Nigerians, literally, have shock absorbers to withstand every economic situation. Nigerians found at home and in the diaspora are enclosed with power and determination to eke a living. They plied their trades with dexterity and dignity.
This attribute is playing fast on one Mohammed Arasi who dazzles the residents of Lokoja metropolis with his razor blades hair Barbing. Though, barely literate, Mohammed has swayed mindset of his customers from going to Barbing saloon to his under the tree, open air shop.
Mohammed Arasi, 32, father of two and a beautiful wife came to Lokoja without education and not trained in artisanal craft. The only skill he was armed with to survive in foreign lands was the tutelage under his father, who operates Barbing shop using razor blades as against the popular and modern clippers.
He has mouths to feed and huge school fees to pay. He was at a crossroads at how to cope with exorbitant shop rents.
However , a friend came to his aid. He took him to a hub in the Lokoja metropolitan, popularly called post office junction. Post office in Lokoja shares similarities with Mando Area of Kaduna metropolis, chanchanga in Minna, Nuj secretariat in Makurdi and central market in Jos , noted for its centrality to other parts of the cities. Post office, in Lokoja, a place where defunct Nitel office was situated.
It is a place beehive of activities, it has makeshift mosque, bukas, business centres, shoe makers ; tea sellers , Pos operators and indeed mobile boutique shops adorned nooks and crannies of the bubble post office junction.
Mohammed, was aghast as to where to raise fund to pay for the elusive shop. But , he was consoled as his guide pointed his shop to him under a tree. At first , he doesn’t know what to do, however, his guide urged him to ply his trade here , just like others whose furniture in the open air shop was a wooden bench that can take a customer at a time while others wait for their turn.
Armed with the mobile shop, off he commenced. He dashed to shops across the road and bought his tools , which comprise, a packet of razor blades, a razor blade holder, lighters and a bottle of spirit for treatment of blade handle where were not more than a thousand naira.
And less than few weeks, Mohammed Arasi has become the razor blade hair barber in Lokoja. He served both the high and the low in the city. His business was boosted by the economic situation in the country, as many civil servants could not enjoy the services of Barbing saloons. Post office junction , is home to Kogi State Police headquarters, numerous ancillary businesses , ministries and department offices in the state. His first day at Post office was a miracle. Mohammed who barely can afford to eat , could eat squarely from the day’s proceed. As the day pass by , his chain of customers multiplied. Although, Mohammed was not the only razor blade barbers at the post office, his dexterity and rapport with customers marked him out.
Soon, his fame soars to all parts of the metropolis. People of all status would take turn for Mohammed ‘s attention. Mohammed who often resume at his desk as early as 7am would not leave until 7pm , with occasional gap to pray at a makeshift mosque in his front. He has become the darling of the operators of local saving banks , known as Ajoor or daily contributors. In no time, he rented an apartment and relocated his household from Kano to Lokoja. Post office has become his employer. He is committed to his trade , being first to come and last to leave. He brought creativity to the trade, and treats customers with dignity. He engages customers in chats and in a jiffy, another customer on queue would take turn and so he continues till he closes.
Narrating his experience at Post office junction, he noted. “This place is my God sent. I was confused of what to do when I came to Lokoja, but , with post office junction, I can call my self a thousandnaire. I barb average of 30 persons in a day. When you multiply the #300.00 I charge per person, you could count how much I make on daily basis. I do daily contribution of #1,000 in multiple hands without feeling the pinch. I feed my family adequately, pay school fees and pay house rent.” He informed.
He charged youths not to succumb to the economic hardship and fold their arms. They should bury ego and pride and find something worthwhile, those things people called menial jobs to do and add value to themselves” Mohammed advised.
