Graduate-turned cobbler advises youths on white-collar jobs

A professional cobbler in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Mr Nasiru Adamu, has urged Nigerian youths to acquire skills and not wait for whitecollar jobs.

Nasiru, a graduate of Business Administration from Kogi State Polytechnic, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mararaba on Monday.

He expressed concern that some graduates and youths, do not want to engage themselves in skills acquisition such as tailoring, cobbling and catering among others.

He also said that being a graduate does not exclude one from involving in any other legitimate business that would make him or her to earn a living and live a successful life.

He said rather than engage in skills acquisition to further impact positively on their economic well being, some youth waited on the government to provide jobs for them.

“I will advise those searching for white-collar jobs to acquire skills in various vocations that would make them relevant to their communities and the society in general.

“After my graduation, I searched for jobs to no avail, so I decided to travel to Lagos, where I learnt the art of shoe making.

“Today, I am proud to say that I am a cobbler, making and fixing shoes to earn a living.

“The reason why I learnt it is because I want to promote the production and wearing of local shoes and sandals by Africans.

“I don’t have any regret in this line of business, because making locally-made shoes and scandals, has made me to be famous and well known.

“As you can see, I have become self reliant, self dependent and also an employer of labour because I have many people working for me,” he said.

Adamu added that most of the raw materials, such as animal hides and skin used in the business were readily available in the country, adding that it makes their work much easier.

According to him, the business had made him more popular in his environment and beyond, adding that he has a lot of customers from far and near. (NAN)