MAPOLY graduate barber urges Govt support for entrepreneurs
By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
A Lagos-based hairstylist, whose clients include top celebrities such as singer, Timi Dakolo, Sodeinde Olufemi Rufus, has said that government must consider supporting the entrepreneurs, especially, the young ones to combat the growing unemployment in the country.
Sodeinde disclosed that Nigerian government should also look towards encouraging investment in establishing companies that produce barbing clippers saying that it is distasteful to note that up till now the country is still importing these barbing kits.
He declared that the establishment of such companies would not only provide jobs for the teeming youths but also provide income for the country inform of taxes and other support.
Sodeinde has equally encouraged youths desiring the best for themselves to stop waiting for the scarce white collar jobs but rather look inward, get creative and embrace training in any vocations of their choice saying that “in due time, with God’s help, such youths will not only become bosses of themselves but also employers of labour.”
The Mass Communication graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta, disclosed this while speaking with journalists.
He said, “To fight the problem of unemployment, the global trend in dealing with this huge problem lies with entrepreneurship and that is why I will want the government to give more support to the entrepreneurs. This could be in form of soft loans or grants as take-off capital, support could also be in the area provision of working tools among others.”
Sodeinde said, “It is also not too good that we are still importing barbing kits such as clippers and brushes, the country is losing so much revenue here as well as creating job opportunities for thousands of youths.
“The government should as a matter of urgency begin to consider encouraging investment in this area. Even the clippers that we use are now cordless, they are battery driven, they are smart and handy and technology driven.”
Sodeinde described barbing as a lucrative venture, saying that his list of clientele includes world-rated entertainers like Sarkodie from Ghana, Timi Dakolo, Awilo, Focalistic from South Africa and so on.
He revealed that just like the secret behind every successful venture, “in barbing profession, you have got to know your onions, that is, be at home with what you are doing, be professional, be creative, be up to date with global fashion trends, be cheerful, make your salon to be welcoming, be focused too and trust God for the rest.”
The poly graduate equally urged the federal government to emulate the United State policy of registering all certified hair stylists in order to discourage the influx of quacks into the profession.
He said, “For any barber to work in the US, the person must have a permit, must be certified by the government unfortunately, we don’t have that here. With this, the government will know that you are working and you must pay tax as a way of supporting the running of the government.”
