Young and In Charge: Nafisa Omeneke Idris

Deciding on what you want to do for the rest of your life has to be one of the toughest decision a young person has to make, add that to the fact that Nigeria had no properly qualified career counsellor then you would get an idea of what I mean. Any young person who is able to identify something he/she loves should count him/herself lucky, in the midst of people who are still trying to find their path, thats the first step in the right direction. Our young person of the week was lucky enough to identify what she loves doing and successful mixes it with what she read in the University. Meet our Young Person of the Week, Nafisa Omeneke Idris.

Tell us a little about yourself?
  Ok...I’m Nafisa Omeneke Idris (#widegrin# at full name), a freelance makeup artist, I was born on the 24th of march, a Muslim from Kogi state, Egbira by tribe, born and bred in Jos, Plateau state... I’m the third of six kids(a boy and 5 girls), I love food, movies, makeup and some other stuffs I can’t say here! I smile a lot, laugh hard and say very little #can’t explain why#

What was growing up like?
The greater part of it was fun. Lots of ‘suwe’, ‘ten-ten’ and extra lessons. Mum was the no-nonsense type then, but she calmed down as the years passed. My dad always had my back, with my siblings there was never a dull moment!

Tell us a little about your educational background?
 I attended University of Jos Primary school, then University of Jos Demonstration Secondary School and finally University of Jos to study microbiology! #yup I know*coversface*#

So what is Uzoza Signature all about? What does it mean and how did the name come about?
Uzoza Signature is a makeup outfit based in Abuja, we specialise in bridal makeup, photoshoot makeup, gele tying, Lash extensions, brow grooming and skincare consultations. Uzoza means beauty in Egbira. Hmmmm....it’s a pretty short story oh!: Was at a brides’ place with my mentor-Patience Ifere (Patel), at some point we started gisting about company names and we thought Uzoza would be cute and voila! Uzoza was born! #widegrin#

How did you go from Microbiology to Make up artistry?

 Though at some point, I lost the love I had for practising microbiology, I believe it led me to makeup somehow. Then I met a friend who said ‘there is no greater joy than getting paid for something you love to do, all you need is passion and skill’. So I started searching for what ticks me, tried hair dressing for sometime but it just didn’t click, after much thoughts, spoke to my sister (she retailed Sleek products at the time) about it and she said ‘have you thought of makeup?’, I said yes but I had no idea where to train because if I would go into it then I would have to train at the best place my pocket could get me because I’d have to be really good. Thankfully she offered to help me. The next day we set out to find the best makeup artist in jos, found Patel.#whew#. The rest is history!  Though I’m not practising microbiology fulltime, I still carry some aspects of it into makeup, so you see...no knowledge is a waste!#smiles#

Three years in the makeup industry, what has the experience been like?

It hasn’t been all rosy, setting myself up was a huge task and I still thank God because my finances was so little as I sponsored myself through the training process and contracted at Patels place so I could get funds for products and all. Then getting clients became an issue, but when I started working full time I got lots of referrals and contracted more often.#wink#

What is your typical day like?

Usually up by 5am, pray, plan my day mentally, write it out, sometimes lazy around till 8am, clean up, eat, meet clients, make appointments, do some jobs and go back home. Sometimes I reward myself after a hectic day by stopping over at hatlab#widegrin# for some scoops (of ice cream) then I go home!

What do you love most about you what you do?
That satisfaction and joy that clouds me after each job. I love the smile and hugs I get from my clients. Like seriously, when you add to someone’s joy you get some kind of satisfaction deep down. It’s priceless.

Which would you say has been you best work ever has been your best work ever?

I sincerely can’t think of any. Every job I do is the best of my work at that point. I believe I improve every day, new skills and all.

What are the difficulties involved?

The makeup industry in Nigeria has been growing, so  we have so many makeup artists around who are willing to get underpaid by those clients who under price our services, so with that you have to work double hard( I constantly attend seminars and study makeup extensively)  to prove you are worth the pay. Also, meeting different clients, with different temperaments and trying to satisfy each of their needs. Believe me it’s not as easy as it sounds.

If you weren't doing this, what would you have been doing?

I’d be in a laboratory somewhere practising medical microbiology. #not looking forward to that#

Have you ever felt like giving up onUzoza Signature?

Yes!  Even though most times I know I’m just bluffing.

Who or what inspires you?
The quest for perfection: where beauty and flawlessness meet. #bliss I think#

For the ‘who’ part, my family, friends and the wonderful Nigerian makeup artists the likes of Pat, Banke, Mil, Love, Fati, Lola Maja, Jide,... my list is long o! Anyone who has influenced me positively.

Considering the level of success you have attained, youths out there would be itching to know how old you are.

Ok...I’m 26.

Asides work, what do you do for fun?

Painting my face!#widegrin# ok... movies, gist and cook.

Advice to youths that wish to follow in your footsteps.

I believe everyone has a gift, pray to find yours and follow it. Life is too short to live in peoples shadows, so be yourself, live your life and do what you love.

Where do you see yourself and Uzoza Signature five years from now?

We would definitely not be where we are today, by the grace of God, we’d be bigger and better.

Time to feed your eyes. 

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Nafisa at work

Nafisa can be reached on:

Phone number: 08068928086

BB pin: On request

Email: naphysai@yahoo.com