Abubakar Sadiq is a Zaria-based electrician, who got certified through the Trade Test as a professional electrician. The certificate, he said, has opened many doors for him. TOPE SUNDAY writes.
His foray into electrical work
Born in Zaria Kaduna state, little Abubakar Sadiq learnt electrical work from his uncle in 2008. This is after he finished his primary and secondary school education both in Zaria.
According to him, “I started my primary school at Tsoho Abdullahi LGEA Primary School in 2000 and finished in 2006. After that, I proceeded to GSS Kofar Kibo in Zaria from 2007 to 2012. To be financially independent, I started the electrical work with my uncle in 2008 at Zaria. It was from my uncle that I learnt the skill that I am using today, which is now putting food on my table”, he said.
My Trade Test certificate
Sadiq, who said he had traveled to many states in the north for electrical-related works, noted that the insistence of a project supervisor for his Trade Test Certificate forced him to be certified as a professional electrician. He said he was disappointed and felt rejected by the supervisor’s request, but added that today, the action is paying off for him.
“When I gained independence from my uncle, I started on a low level and moved to some places like Abuja, Kano, and others in search of a job. That was the reason I got my Trade Test certificate. I remember some years ago when I visited a project site and approached its supervisor. He asked for the certificate that qualified me as a professional electrician. I did not have one, and he denied me the job.
“That made me so sad because he insisted that without any certificate, he would not give the work, and eventually, he did not. With this development, I tried to do it in Kaduna. In 2019, after I got the certificate, I returned to the supervisor. I presented my certificate to him and he was so pleased. After this, he gave me the work at once. The development made my boss and me very happy, ’’ he said.
Union benefit
He also spoke on the usefulness of an electrical union, the Northern Nigerian Electrical Practitioners and Engineers Forum (NNEPEF), which he said, is a unifier and a blessing to its members.
“We have a lot of challenges, which include not getting electrical projects as an individual. This made us create our union, Northern Nigerian Electrical Practitioners and Engineers Forum (NNEPEF). The union has been helping us to secure work, and I am happy about it. For example, last year one of our members gave me work in Kano. Also, some of our members who don’t have work at hand are being helped. This is one of the reasons that I am very happy about our great union.
Advice to government
Sadiq however called on the government at all levels to patronise certified electricians to boost the economy saying, “I want to advise the government to patronise us as certified electricians. This would boost our economy and build our confidence. We are professionals and we have executed a lot of big projects. Also, we have the capacity and exposure to deliver on time. I am calling on the government to make us a priority.