Abdurrafiu Ademola is a welder based in Madalla town of Niger State. He fabricates gates, burglary proof, chairs and tables, among many other industrial and household items. But of all these, he said he has a special interest in fabricating decorations which are attached to minarets.
An indigene of Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, the middle aged Ademola said his chosen carrier-started in 1976 when he dropped out of Primary 5, explaining that, “It happened during the curfew that followed the assassination of Gen. Murtala Mohammed. I worked under a master for seven years and got my freedom and immediately left for Ibadan where I started on my own.”
He said as a newcomer he encountered a lot of challenges to the extent that he had to lock his rented workshop to engage in manual works at construction sites.
He said, “I later joined another welder in the area who I served for about five years before leaving for Lagos where I worked with a welding company under a boss.
“My master dealt with construction companies through the supply of iron doors and gates. He later opened a branch in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and deployed me there as branch manager.
“Within two years of my arrival, I bought a land for myself and after working under the man for four years, I quit the company and established my personal workshop in Madalla where I currently operate with boys under me.”
Speaking about how he got involved in fabricating decorations for minarets, the welder said, “I was on my way back from a journey to my home state of Oyo through Bida in Niger State where I noticed minarets with beautiful decorations on top of mosques. So on arriving back, I started fabricating them since I discovered that some of the items used in the decorations were part of our raw materials. After days of working I succeeded in finishing one and took it and displayed it on the highway.
“The decoration was immediately bought and people started making enquiries and this encouraged me to do more. In the course of doing the work, I have established a lot of contacts with many high profile personalities, among who are a former governor and a senator.
“I also receive demands from far and near: Kano, Sokoto, Borno, Abuja, Nassarawa, among other states, and now fabricating decorations for minarets gives me great joy and through it I have built a house, travelled to Saudi Arabia and I’m solving my family and other needs.”
Ademola explained that the average time it takes him to finish a complete set of decoration is a month-plus under team work.
According to him, a single decoration like “green and white” cost about N60,000, while the one used on top of a dome costs about N150,000.
Speaking about challenges in his job, the welder said he had an encounter that would be difficult for him to forget, explaining that, “It was an electrical incident at a site where I was invited for outside work by one of the leading Abuja super stores. I set to start the work and was trying to fix my machine with the electrical cable there. Unknown to me, an electrician who was working alongside with me and other professionals had disconnected a neutral cable there. So as I made to fix my machine’s cable, there was a powerful spark and I became unconscious. I was at the Abuja National Hospital for over two weeks and my arm was affected.”
Speaking about his relationship with clients, the iron fabricator said he could not remember any time that he had a misunderstanding with a customer, as according to him, he was very cautious and abode by agreed terms and conditions in materials, design and deadline.
He said, “I can confirm to you that as a result of that, I have clients of more than 15 years who continue to remain as my customers and connect with more customers.”
However, Ademola said his number one problem, like any welder, was lack of constant power supply, explaining that, “And as you may know, sourcing electricity through generator is not easy as a sizeable part of money realised will go to fuel and servicing,” adding that lack of working tools was also a major challenge.
He further said, “There is a machine that is made for multiple-functions, but not every welder can afford it. Delivery van is another challenge. Aside these problems, the profession will provide employment to the teeming youths.”
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