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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
He started as an apprentice in Ibadan, Oyo State about 30 years ago, under his first master, the late Mr Abiodun. Unknown to him, what he saw as a job for the less privileged would move him from a poor artisan to an employer of labour.
The strategic location of his workshop in the heart of Birnin Kebbi, gave him comparative advantage to be patronised by top government officials and politicians, socialites and other motorists in the state.
Faruku Mai-Faci, who hails from Kaoje town, Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, told Saturday Sun that he wanted to go to school but his parents were not financially strong to get him enrolled. In spite of that, he eventually became a household name in Birnin Kebbi due to his consistency, endurance and hard work over the years.
Narrating his journey, Mai- Faci said: “I started learning the job in Lagos and Ibadan about 30 years ago. I started this job from Lagos State to Ibadan. My master was popularly known as Abiodun then in Ibadan. When my master died, I relocated to Kebbi to continue my struggle.
“I started following one man called Bashar Kamba when I returned to Kebbi. He was my master here in Kebbi but I learnt the work in Ibadan.
“Sine I came here, I have trained a lot of boys. More than 200 boys have passed through me, and they are now in their various locations. Even till now, I am still training many boys. As at now, I have 48 apprentices with me, who are currently learning and working with me. Some of them are going to school. After school, they come back here to do their work.”
After many years, Mai- Faci said, he became the State Chairman of the Vulcanisers Association in Kebbi State. He explained that his ability to communicate in Pidgin English, which he learnt while in Lagos, has been helpful in dealing with customers who couldn’t speak Hausa language.
While counting his blessings, Mai- Faci said, he has cause to appreciate God for His mercy over him and for blessing his craft.
According to him, “I have built my personal house. I have three wives, 14 children and three of my children are married. By next year, Insha Allahu, I will marry out another one. For now, I have no regrets. I am telling you that I am very grateful to God and I cannot say I have any regret. I only had one regret when one of my boys busted a trainer’s tyre. I really suffered that time because the owner of the trainer sought a new tyre and I didn’t have money that period.. But people around me assisted me and I was able to resolve the problem”.
Speaking against social vices among the youths, Mai- Faci noted that, it would be good for them to embrace vocational training than street begging. He noted that a lot of vocational workshops are available for them instead of roaming about the town constituting a menace.
“If they learn a job, it will help a lot and God will always bless such a job. Here today, I can make up to N30,000 in one day. Sometimes, I can get more than that and sometime too, I might not get up to that. You know in this kind of business, the weather and season affect patronage.”
On how he deals with his apprentices, he said: “I do settle my boys who are from the age of eight to 18 on daily bases. Whatever money they gather, I will share it into three parts. They will take two shares and I will take one part. For those who are old enough from 18 downward, they always keep the money by themselves and whenever we close for the day, they have to submit the money and I will share it into two.”
Speaking on the challenges, Mai – Faci said anytime he looks back, he always appreciates God for being kind to him.
“I always thank God. I don’t have many challenges. I am the Chairman of the Vulcanisers Association in Kebbi State today. Any member who has problem with customers, I do follow them to settle the issue amicably.”
He also spoke about the award he got last year.
“It was Governor Nasir Idris who gave me the award on May 1 2025 during the Workers’ Day. The governor realised that I’m doing my best as one of the employers of labour in the state.
“Secondly, he recommended me to other people in the society based on my efforts. And thirdly, anytime the governor is passing through this area, he always waves to me, and he greets me whenever we stand by the road to appreciate him for what he has being doing for us in the state.”
Before he was elected as governor, this is where he was repairing his vehicles’ tyres and he has always treated me very well. It is my prayer that Almighty God will grant him all his wishes.”
One of his boys, who is physically challenged, Aliyu Umar, 31, told the reporter that he has been in the Mai- Faci workshop for the past 13 years, working and making money to take care of himself.
He said: “My experience here is a very pleasant one. I have been here 13 years, even with my leg problem. Nobody discriminates against me. I do my work like other boys here. I am coping very well and my prayer is to open my workshop too so that I can be an employer of labour like my master.”
Also, Usman Adamu, a 26-year-old apprentice at the workshop, said he was determined to complete his secondary school education and then proceed to the university.
“I want to pursue civil engineering in the university after my secondary school education and thereafter open my workshop. I do tell my friends that it is better to learn one vocational work than roaming around without doing anything. I’m really enjoying my stay here because I am using the money I gather here to take care of myself, my siblings at home and other things,” he said.
