Azubuike Enoma, aka Zubby, is a celebrity hair stylist and the Chief Executive Officer of Zubby Definitions Studios Ikeja, Lagos. In this interview, the graduate of Animal Science and Production, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUTH) reveals why he is passionate about hair-styling and grooming young brides.
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| Zubby at work with Nollywood actress, Ini Edo |
Weekend Magazine: Why did you venture into hairstyling?
Azubuike Enoma: I have always loved doing hair. I hail from Enugu State, a state where your father wants you to be a doctor, lawyer or any other professional. My daddy wanted me to be a doctor, that was why I read sciences and along the line, I was still doing my art things and was still a member of the Enugu State Cultural group. I was on a study leave with pay as I was studying and working at the same time.
WM: What’s your background?
Enoma: I read Animal Science and Production at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUTH) and graduated in year 2000. The school is now known as Ebonyi State University because at that time ESUTH had its science campus in Ebonyi.
WM: Aside hair styling, are you into other related ventures?
Enoma: Zubby, as I am popularly called, is an embodiment of so many talents. I have done so much when it comes to arts, fashion, hair styling and make-up. I started with hair and that is my area of specialization. I went into make-up when the make-up industry hadn’t gone as versatile as it is now. The way it started was that when I finish making your hair, I will do your make-up also, and the products I was using then was MAC. I went into make-up because you would actually look at a lady’s make-up first before looking at her hair.
I want ladies to look very appealing so that people would keep looking at their faces. For instance, if a bride’s make-up is not well done, there is no need looking at her hair. So, that was what led me into make-up. I am self-trained in that area but I keep improving myself.
I’m also into bride-grooming. You know nowadays some brides don’t know how to behave or act on their wedding day, especially how to carry themselves, including their gait. So, people pay me to groom their children so that they will come out as a full bride on wedding day. I teach them what to do, how to do certain things, how to present themselves before in-laws and guests.
WM: What motivates you?
Enoma: Looking at a lady and seeing her hair well-kept. I hate seeing ladies with unkempt hair; it is as bad as that.
WM: Have you styled any Nigerian celebrity?
Enoma: Yes, I have. I have styled for Genevieve Nnaji, Yemi Alade, Ini Edo and Olajumoke Orisaguna, among others. I was the one who styled Mercy Johnson’s hair during her traditional and white wedding, even for Kate Henshaw too during the African Magic Viewer’s Choice Award in 2016. I have done for Jennifer (Funke Akindele) when she had a photo-shoot for Ona Bello’s magazine. I have also styled and dressed several models in fashion shows across the country.
WM: Have you featured in any fashion show in Nigeria?
Enoma: Yes, I have featured in several fashion shows. All the fashion shows in Lagos, Nigeria to be precise. I have featured in Lagos Fashion Week, GTBank Fashion Week, Music Meet Runway, MTN Campus Show, African’s fashion show in Nigeria and Fashion Finest Nigeria etc.
WM: What are the challenges you’ve encountered as a man doing a business mostly identified with women?
Enoma: I think that happened when I was still in the university. Somebody had paid me to do a bride’s hair but the person didn’t tell the bride that I’m a guy; the bride is a northerner. By the time I came in, it was very difficult for her to remove her headscarf, not to talk of me touching her hair. I didn’t just understand. What I eventually did was to use a lady who followed my instructions to style the bride.
Another one was still in my university days, precisely in first year, when I opened a salon in school. It was very difficult for my friends to understand then but later, I styled almost all of their wives’ hair for their weddings.
WM: What is that one thing that you cherish most in your line of business?
Enoma: Sincerity and integrity because to me, integrity is everything. Every human being wants to meet and deal with a sincere person.
WM: If given alternative options, what else would you love to be doing?
Enoma: I would love to be among an airline’s cabin crew; that’s an act of service I cherish. I wouldn’t mind serving as a cabin crew, even if it’s just for one day.
