Sokoto’s lady barber cuts out unique path
As a child, Grace Ishaya Rewa developed a strong passion for barbing after watching severally as her cousins and siblings’ hairs were being scrapped with razor blade at home.
Grace, who graduated from the School of Nursing Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, is a practicing nurse but would not let go of her strong passion for barbing.
Now at 25, the nurse also barbs on part-time basis. But as a young girl then, when Grace first told her parents about her love for barbing, they objected to her idea of joining a profession seen as strictly for men but when she insisted, her mother advised her to finish her studies first.
Grace, who hails from Senchi local government, Zuru area of Kebbi State is from a family of five but has lost both parents. When Nurse Grace is off duty, she goes to a barbing salon where she works part time.
She amazes even her employer as she gives customers desired results, competing gracefully in a male-dominated field.
“I just felt I needed to do this thing but in a distinctive way,” she told Daily Trust in an interview. Before she started working there as a barber, Grace had to prove her proficiency.
Someone volunteered to allow her cut his hair on the condition that if she failed to do it well, she would give the volunteer N500. Grace gave the volunteer a fine hair cut to the astonishment of both her employer and the volunteer. “After that day, I started work there and every time I am around, customers rush for my services, at least to feel the difference,” she said.
She stressed that she is getting full satisfaction from doing what she loves doing even as she nurtures an ambition which she said she cannot disclose now.
Her employer, who is the proprietor of Arewa Barbing Salon along Ahmadu Bello Way Sokoto, Reuben Warieta, said the coming of Grace has brightened the salon as she attracts more customers to the salon.
“I laughed and thought she was joking when she declared her intention to work with us, though I have always known
DI was born with it. My parents tried their best to look for medication, but to no avail. I eventually began to use my feet to do whatever I need to do for myself. With them, I can do everything that someone with hands can do. Nobody taught me to do that. From that I got interested in going to school. I started attending primary school in Kude, then proceeded to secondary level.
DT: Was there a section for physically-challenged persons in the school?
No, I was the only one in my class. But it went well; I finished successfully and got seven credits from NECO and five credits with WAEC.
DT: Then why haven’t you proceeded with your education, resorting to begging for alms like you are now?
That was my ambition, and it still is, to further that she has the passion to do this from childhood. When she insisted, we tried her using a volunteer, and it was just amazing,” he recalled.
He described Grace as an interesting and unique personality whom he said has much more hidden potentials. “I am certain those potentials are going to manifest later in life,” he added.
On challenges, Grace noted that some men don’t like her to handle their hair for religious reasons while some try it for fun. “Some men even propose marriage while others just make advances. Some come to the salon just to see how a lady is faring in such a male-dominated business,” she said.
But she pointed out: “I not into barbing for money but for the love I have for it.”
On what keeps her going in her passion, Grace said it is the satisfaction the customers show after her services.
As for marriage, the nurse cum barber said she has just come out of a sour relationship and so is taking her time to wait for Mr. Right. She however says the right man should be someone who respects her passion.