WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MR TOYIN ONIGEMO, THE DIRECTOR OF GANTOY ALUMINIUM

This week, we met with a very interesting person. A man, who shared with us his experience on how the journey has been and the need to make that journey to glory.

Ladies and gentlemen, sit back and enjoy this interview.

Don't forget to comment when you are done.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
My name is Mr Toyin Onigemo, the director of Gantoy Aluminium.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING AND WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?
I'm an aluminium fabricator. Here we fabricate aluminium sliding doors and windows, partitioning, bank cashier cubicules, Swing entrance doors, Aluminium roofing, blinds, casement windows, storm breakers, window blinds like venetian and hoodlock blinds.


CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU STARTED AND WHAT PROMTED TO YOUR CHOOSING THIS KIND OF PROFESSION?
I was inspired by my late uncle. He was into this same kind of profession. I got there and discovered I had the interest for it. Though he didn't want me to go into it. He wanted me to be in the office. I was there as a secretary because going to the factory is probably a dirty job and very risky too. I was there in the office as a secretary, but 2 months after I made up my mind, after I saw the price list file. I saw millions written in it.
Each time he leaves the office, I would go into the factory and ask the boys there to teach me and soon as he returns, I'll return to my desk.
Then one day, I told him my mind that I wanted to venture into this. To God be the glory after about 2 years, I mastered the profession and that's how I started.
 

IS IT A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS AND DO YOU FEEL FULFILLED IN WHAT YOU DO?
Yeah, it was a very lucrative business, because of the fact that I had been into it and I took  it as my life, that's why I returned back it. I travelled to Spain and was there for 10 years, but I lost my dad and returned to Nigeria. It was there written in his file that I had to return back to my job, even if I would travel. And when I was here, I was doing the job perfectly so it wasn't really difficult to spring back into action.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS SERVICE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, OR IS IT ONLY OPEN TO NIGERIANS?
No, its not only to Nigerians alone. We've been to the Republic of Benin to service them there too. We did that probably about 10 years ago when they had no aluminium people there but now they have lots of them there now.

DO YOU OFFER TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LEARN AND WHAT AGE RANGE DO YOU TRAIN? 

Yes we offer training programmes to any one who wants to learn and to God be the glory, we have been able to train over 50 people by now. I'm very proud of them. There are in different places and each time I call on them to work, they bring their boys to work for me, that shows probably what I have inculcated into them, is what I am taking back.

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE, WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAREER TO PICK. CAN YOU ENCOURAGE THEM, COMING FROM THE ANGLE OF YOUR PROFESSION?
To what Nigeria of today is now, guys are not really ready to work for their money, they want to make magic overnight. I do call them and advice them. It's just within 4 - 5 years and you are on your own. There was a guy that came to me as a graduate and a teacher. He learned under me for a space of 9 months and  he was ready to setup his, because he  put in the interest and made alot of progress in such a short time.
 

HOW CAN PEOPLE REACH YOU, INCASE THEY WANT TO CONTACT YOU FOR BUSINESS?
We are at Block 209, Jakande Estate Oke - Afa, Isolo, Lagos. Or you can contact me on Whatsapp anytime of the day at 08093228731. You can also call this number at anything.