Posted by By CHUKS ONUOHA, Owerri on
For over 10 years, Timothy Nze, 35, has been in the Imo State Government House, but not as the chief executive officer or as a government official. Rather, he is a cobbler at the gate of the Government House, Owerri.
• As a cobbler in front of Government House, he has repaired shoes for governors, commissioners for 10 years
For over 10 years, Timothy Nze, 35, has been in the Imo State Government House, but not as the chief executive officer or as a government official. Rather, he is a cobbler at the gate of the Government House, Owerri.
Nze, who hails from Ikeduru in Owerri North Local Government area of the state sits at the gate, not as a beggar or constituting a nuisance to others, but as an example of a man who finds dignity in labour.
With his knowledge, experience and the people he has come in contact with in the past 10 years, many unlike Nze would have abandoned the shoe-mending trade to become an emergency contractor, doing jobs for the government.
But not so for Nze, who still finds satisfaction in what he learnt, shoe-making and mending.
According to him, he has a dream, which would have been fulfilled by past governors, but to no avail. His dream is to buy machines, set up a shoe factory and create job for other young men who are roaming the streets in search of non-existing jobs.
But the more he tries to save out of his meager income, the more family demands eat deep into his earnings. Yet, what he needs to realise his dream is less than N1million.
The shoe-maker likened his story to that of the biblical man at the pool of Bersider, who for 38 years waited for healing till Jesus came.
Nze said that his own 38 years waiting has come to an end with the emergence of the present Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim,
'He is a grassroots man, one who does not overlook the less privileged. I know that one day, he will stop here and find out what I am doing and probably give a helping hand to enable me realize my dreams. That very day, my own Jesus would have come to heal me," Nze said.
In the beginning
I learnt this trade for three years in Aba and came to Owerri after my freedom and found myself at this Government House gate.
I had stayed in different positions before I settled here.
Me and the governors
I was here when Evans Enwerem was governor; I saw the beginning and end of Tanka, Zubairu, the beginning and the end of Udenwa and I was here also to welcome Ohakim. I see governor come and go, but have not realised my dream of setting up a small shoe production business. I don't need a million, but something that will help me buy machines for shoe making and a little for the purchase of materials.
I have repaired shoes of governors, those of their wives, chief executives and their wives and many other government functionaries through their drivers and messengers. This one I am repairing now belongs to a commissioner. These are very expensive shoes and they would not bring them here, if they are not sure that I can handle it. Sometimes, even the commissioners bring shoes directly to me.
I have met so many personalities here. My being allowed to stay here and do this work is by the mercy of God, probably a reward I received for being truthful in the things I do. I don't work with fake materials. I can build shoes that can compete with those made in any part of the world. I will be glad if the government could help me to expand my trade. I need money to procure machines.
Young men
It will be good if young men could learn trade, so as not to get involved in robbery.
My dream
If I get this help, I can even make a shoe which governors and other executive officers could wear without knowing that they are made in Nigeria products. I learnt the skill in Aba and I am proud of it.
My family
I got married from this job. It was even here that I saw my wife and proposed to her and she agreed and we got married. Today, I have two children and my wife is expecting a third one.
I got married in 2001 and it was here that I saw my wife, and proposed to her. She knows the kind of job I do and so agreed to marry me. I love her so much.
We don't quarrel because I am always open to her. She knows when I have and when I don't have money. She is such an understanding wife.