By Abdulsamad Abdulmalik
The Managing Director of Rajah Dynamic Printer Limited, Alhaji Tijani Raji Owolabi, has stressed the importance of acquiring vocational skills, saying learning a handwork helped him rise quickly in his profession.
Owolabi stated this during SBS FM’s Gbagede Ara programme monitored by reporter Abdulsamad Abdulmalik.
He recalled starting his printing career in Ilorin as a machine operator, earning N320 at a time when some of his colleagues received just N80 because of the specialised knowledge and technical experience he possessed as a printer operator.
According to him, his passion for learning about new printing machines and technologies contributed greatly to his growth in the industry.
He added that he later began training others for employment opportunities within the printing sector.
Owolabi noted that printing machines require strict safety precautions because of the risks involved in operating them.
Speaking on technology, he described Artificial Intelligence as very useful, especially in modern production processes, while explaining that his company collaborates with authors and organisations involved in government book publishing projects.
The printer expert advised youths to build themselves from the grassroots by first learning a skill before venturing into business.
He said there are two major ways of establishing a printing company: either by personally learning the trade and growing gradually, or by a wealthy investor employing qualified and experienced professionals to manage the business.
However, he stressed that anyone planning to establish such a company should possess at least basic knowledge of the field.
Sharing his most painful experience, Owolabi recounted how a Polar 115 paper-cutting machine malfunctioned in 1991 shortly after he started his business, severely injuring both his hands.
He described the incident as a rare case but said he refused to allow the accident to discourage him from continuing in the profession.
According to him, no similar incident has been recorded since then.
Owolabi said one of the happiest moments of his life was eventually purchasing a Polar 115 machine for his own company, explaining that owning and successfully operating the same type of machine that once injured him gave him a sense of victory and confidence.
He also revealed that one of his children has joined the printing business and is performing well in the profession.
The businessman further emphasised the need for discipline in society and urged parents to combine entrepreneurship training with formal education for their children.
