By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
Esther Bakumo Angese, a female welder from Bayelsa State, says her entry into welding was driven by creativity and a desire to transform raw materials into finished products.
Angese, who is also the Director of Izon Bakumo Enterprise Nig., a welding and fabrication firm, who spoke in an interview in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State said she has been in the trade for 14 years.
“The creativity in welding drew me to acquire welding as a skill. I like the fact that you can turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. I was so enthralled by the creativity in the welding profession,” she said.
She said she learned the skill through the apprenticeship model in Bayelsa and later upgraded it through a programme with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The name of her company, she explained, reflects her identity. “The name of my firm is Izon Bakumo Enterprise. ‘Bakumo’ is my name and I added ‘Izon’ because I wanted something that relates to my people.”
Angese said her firm operates with about 12 staff, mainly on a contract basis during projects, with a core team handling office and workshop duties.
Over the years, she said she has trained close to 100 youths. She also partners with the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, to run skills training.
She added that some of her trainees are doing well across states. “I have one, Lilian, who is presently one of the biggest female welders in Ebonyi State. I also have boys doing well in Bayelsa.”
Angese identified funding and access to contracts as her major challenges.
She expressed regret that competent and qualified indigenous artisans are being sidelines in terms of contract award and appealed to the NDDC, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and the Bayelsa State Government to prioritize indigenous welders in contract awards.
“It has not been easy. There is competition, but if you know your onions you will stand out. God has been faithful and patronage has been good to some extent. I want to appreciate Bayelsans because they love their own,” she said.
“Right now there is massive construction work in Ayakoro, the MD NDDC’s community, but all the welding jobs are being done by people outside the state. Meanwhile we have good welders here who can do the job and even charge less. Most of the welders they bring in cannot do the job well, and they end up calling our welders to come and do it.
“Why not give the job to us directly? The money will also circulate within Bayelsa State. I am pleading that indigenous Bayelsa welders be considered for direct jobs. We are skilled and can deliver.”
On pricing, Angese said her products are designed for different income levels.
“I don’t just build for the rich. I build for the average man and civil servants as well. We don’t just build, we give you quality that can stand the test of time.”
She said her only formal partnership so far is with ITF, but the company is developing a programme to partner with private and government offices to train youths from their communities.
Angese urged young girls and boys to embrace technical skills.
“My advice is that they should be patient. Don’t look for fast money. Learn a skill, be diligent, and in time you will reap the benefits. There is dignity and money in skills if you are committed.”
