The Lady Cobbler

When you cannot find a shoe that matches your foot size, then you have to be ingenious. Oghenekewhe wanted to make beautiful shoes for herself but ended up starting a revolution.

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I am Oghenekewhe Alajabo, 34 years old, an only child born to a father from Delta State and a Yoruba mom. I studied Marine Biology at the University of Lagos. After working as a caterer and event decorator for over 3 years, our bouncing castle business faced challenges due to the rise of trendy themed parties in Nigeria. Prior to this time, getting my shoe size has always been a problem, so I learnt how to make shoes for myself before I even got an office job. Salary from office job was never enough to foot my bills. So I had to support myself with the few shoes I make for people who admire what I wear to the office. Surprisingly, whenever I’m stucked, the shoe orders I get from clients have always been my life-saver and this come in at the right time. Eventually, I had to quit my job to focus fully on shoemaking.

My experience as a female shoemaker comes with daily challenges, but my main struggle has been funding. I want to grow my business and make more shoes, but it's hard to get a loan or government help. I need a bigger space and better machines for an industrial factory. Having constant power is also tough because it's crucial for making shoes and delivering them on time. Asking for a loan is complicated, with lots of paperwork. It's also disheartening that at events, celebrities would rather give credit to a big foreign brand while on the red carpet than mention any local brands. There’s no way an industry would grow if the people do not intentionally recognize local efforts.

My work has helped me contribute to our family expenses, and now my parents see me as a responsible daughter. As a female shoemaker, I not only have more financial freedom but also give my siblings special treatments. They don't have to wait for our dad's pocket money anymore. I recall a time when we wanted something expensive, which would have taken months to save up for. But because I added some money to our savings, we got it sooner. Now, our family lives comfortably.

My happiest moments is successfully tackling a difficult task, even if it means going without food for that period. Another impact I get from the job is relevance. Making shoes as a lady is an added advantage and helps me easily connect with people. Introducing myself as Kevwe, the lady cobbler, sets me apart and opens doors. It has brought me recognition from TV, radio, and other media, making me feel valuable and appreciated.

I believe in the saying "what a man can do, a woman can do better." I'm not intimidated by men; instead, we work well together. At times, I allow them to handle the technical side of the shoemaking, and I contribute with my skills in the finishing. This collaboration allows us to share ideas and work as a team, and they appreciate the valuable and expertise I bring to the table because I know my onion. So, there's no need for me to worry.

I would recommend shoemaking as a career for women because it comes with prestige. At times some clients specifically want me to create their wedding or special occasion shoes, making me feel valued and important. Also, it gives financial strength and independence. I’d encourage all women to invest energy in their work, because hard work brings respect. We should also take pride in our achievements because that is where we get our relevance from.