The Confederation of West African Beauticians (COWAB) has urged practitioners across the sub region to unite as a means of gaining greater access and control of the market in West Africa.
“This feeling of belongingness because of unity will give us the strength to live our lives courageously and work in foreign lands far away from home. A united front will help us also to control the market in the Beauty industry and have a say in what is put on the market,” Joyce Lamptey, the president general of COWAB, said during her inaugural speech at the recent inauguration of the Nigeria branch of the association in Lagos.
According to Lamptey, beauticians across the different association that made up the confederation should create synergy to deepen market penetration on the continent. She said it is also beneficial to member associations in coming together to form a much bigger and stronger confederation.
“When we are united, we can deal with difficulties easily and also stand up for our rights when one is discriminated against or ill-treated,” Lamptey said.
She disclosed further that COWAB presents a much stronger voice for beauticians on the continent. According to her, belonging to an association like COWAB is more beneficial for practitioners to become a big family that will help members’ association to hold each other through the ups and downs of life.
“I would also urge all sister countries to pick a cue from this giant step that our sisters and brothers have taken and quickly organise to form our various federations,” Lamptey said.
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Olabisi Osisanya, the first executive president of Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Barbers and Cosmetologist (NASHCO), an association formed in 1978, said the association that has blossom up to West African level is now a more dignified profession across the continent.
“Commemorating this day is one very significant way of appreciating and acknowledging the devotion and contribution of both male and female members who have made a mark in their chosen career and has impacted positively in their chosen profession and has extremely sustained Confederation of West African Beauticians (COWAB) in Africa,” Osisanya said.
The 90 years old Osisanya further urged beauticians and other practitioners in the confederation to unite towards deepen the practice on the continent. “I paused for a moment to reflect on what my life would have been if I have not chosen to be a hairdresser, 1 look around myself, I see beautiful and handsome personalities”.
