Chief Babatunde Bamidele is an engineer and businessman. The easy-going and polished gentleman is the Managing Director/CEO of Glister Success Limited, a company that pioneered production of micronized calcium carbonate for high precision industrial applications in the country. Chief Babatunde Bamidele who is the Agbaakin of Igbeti, Babalaje of Ikoyi –Ile and Otunba Mayegun of Inisha in an interview with AKINLOLU ABAYOMI noted that though Nigeria is rich in mineral resources, there is, however, the need for young people in the country to avoid being desperate to get rich. Read on...
Engr. Bamidele
How have you ensured application of safety principles at mining sites and how do you manage stressful situations on the job?
In any operational environment, safety is key and we do not joke with it at all. Different warning signs are placed at every strategic location and we do send our staff on courses on safety procedures. I personally share videos of safety concern to our engineers on site. Mining is a very complex operation, both physically and mentally; therefore it goes with an elaborate stress; however this could be managed with calmness and delegation of task to various staff who are experts. Also, I create relaxation time with the core staff to unwind and discuss about emerging complex issues.
How did you venture into mining?
I started my career as an Industrial Engineer at the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank and became an investment officer whose duty was to appraise industrial projects. A mining project around Kwara/Kogi corridor was appraised by me in 1992 and from there I developed interest. In 1998, I promoted a mining project in the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State, specifically Alagutan/Igbeti axis, bearing in mind that I was an investment banker and industrial engineer. I put my experience to use with respect to the running of the company and today we give glory to Almighty God. We began the production of high-grade coated calcium carbonate for cable metal and plastic pipes industries in 2012, the first of its kind in West Africa. Kindly note that the products in question were imported into the country before we began to produce them.
