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...
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.
Is mining sector well-positioned to become a strong source of revenue for the country?
Nigeria has a lot to benefit from the solid mineral resources in the country, I can say without fear of contradiction that there are hardly any mineral resources that are available anywhere in the world that you will not find in Nigeria. I think with the Mining Cadastre system backed with Mineral act of 2007, the Federal Government has done its part because this has given investors adequate security of tenor. However, if the regulatory authorities are transparent in their approach and oversight, the country will benefit immensely from the mining sector.
What are the problems facing the mining sector in the country?
I will not take them as problems but rather as challenges and they are surmountable. One of it is the various regulations by government agencies on taxes and operations. Apart from this, we have the communities where resources are located having the notion and thinking that the mineral deposits in their domain belong to them, thereby coming to ask for their share in one form or the other, and if not well managed, it can create a lot of crisis. I think government should find a way of controlling this so that investors can be protected from a hostile community.
What are your suggestions to government with respect to repositioning the mining and extractive industry?
My first suggestion is that government should invite stakeholders, people who are practically involved in the job. If government needs true guide on making headway in the mining and solid mineral sector, it is not the work of professors or academicians. We in the field have seen the reality. We face challenges and know how they are. So, formulating policies about the mining sector would be best done by us. The main thing is liberalization of the solid minerals sector.
What do you think government can do to stop illegal mining in the country?
These so-called illegal miners exist as a matter of necessity. Most of the miners see what they do as a means of livelihood and until government provides alternative sources of livelihood for these people, the fight against illegal mining will be difficult because we have them in thousands. My advice is that government at all levels should introduce a scheme to accommodate these illegal miners, train them on modern ways of mining, just the way farmers are trained on modern ways of farming. Take it or leave it, these illegal miners have become proficient in what they do; accommodating them and bringing them on board as legitimate miners with appropriate license will allow government to enjoy their existence in the industry. I am not trying to justify the illegality of what they do but my point is that they are created by increasing economic hardship and government must find a way of accommodating them so as to be productive to society. Government can issue licenses to them.
Young Nigerians will definitely develop interest in mining, those seeking to get involved, what is your advice for them?
It is a very good environment for young people in the country to be gainfully employed but they need to endure the gestation period before profits start rolling in. My problem with young people of nowadays is their unquenchable thirst for quick riches. It takes four to five years before profits start coming in as a miner so, making riches overnight does not arise here.
As a manager of men and resources, would you consider the idea of joining politics?
Well, if I am invited by my people, I will readily accept to serve them in any capacity but I will never come and contest any election under the present circumstances in Nigeria. If you remember the Hope 93 scenario that brought about June 12; that was a sad experience, I will not say more than that but in my views, any of us doing business is already part of government. We employ labour, pay taxes and engage in community development efforts.
What are your hobbies?
Though my life and nature is not dictated by any form of formality; however, I enjoy playing lawn tennis a lot and I love travelling to see places, I also like reading books about great people or leaders of different nations.
Are there famous Nigerians who have inspired you and would you tell us why are they inspirational to you?
Honestly speaking, I don’t really have any famous Nigerian who has inspired me but I do have some that I see as role models in and outside the country. My first role model is my late father, Mr. Funsho Aremu Babatunde. He was a good disciplinarian; very simple and calm. I am also inspired by people like Tafawa Balewa, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana for living a simple life.
