How Yakubu Ayibeni Made Me Popular – International Barber, Nikki Okyere
Internationally-acclaimed barber Nikki Okyere has admitted that former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Ayigbeni was the reason for his success on the global stage.
The barber has been serving football players for almost 20 years. Speaking on 3FM Sports Ultra, Okyere thanked God for altering the perception that barbers are not privileged enough to receive radio station interviews. He went on to say that Ayigbeni was the cause of his success and offered his appreciation.
He stated, “Let me go straight forward and say Thank you to Yakubu Ayigbeni for the privilege. He was the first footballer that made me cut his hair in the UK and afterwards, I went everywhere.”
A favourite of African footballers highlighted that every barber should have more than talent if their career is going to take off.
“It gets to a point where it is not only about haircuts. It comes with passion and some kind of energy you need to pour out,” he advised.
Nikki Okyere strongly believes that the haircuts were not enough but the customer service he offered to Yakubu accounted for the subsequent popularity he attracted.
“I don’t think it is only the haircut because he just loved the service and afterwards, he posted it. Now, everybody is looking forward to having an experience with Nikki,” he indicated.
Yakubu Ayigbeni is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker. His nickname is “The Yak”.
His performances in the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League for Maccabi Haifa earned him a loan move to English club Portsmouth which became permanent as they were promoted to the Premier League in 2003.
He then appeared in over 250 Premier League matches for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn Rovers, and is the fourth-highest African goalscorer in Premier League history with 96 goals. He is the third-highest scorer in the history of the Nigeria national football team, and represented them at four African Cup of Nations finals, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2000
