By Amidu Arije
A university of Lagos professor, Tajudeen Yusuf has urged artisans to be innovative in the delivery of their services.
The professor of actuarial science at the University of Lagos lamented the wide gap between professionals and artisans in the country saying this gap is the cause of economic lacuna being witness today.
Prof Yusuf said, if the artisans abide the principle of trust, innovation and prompt service delivery, they will transform the economic landscape of the country for the better.
Speaking at the Isolo-Ejigbo Muslims professionals and artisans parley, on Sunday, 23rd February, 2025, Prof Yusuf equally appealed the professional class to as well patronise the artisans as a way of helping to build an all involving progressing economy that will benefit everyone.
Speaking on the topic “A viable Ecosystem and bridging the gaps”, Prof Yusuf said there is an urgent need to close the wide gap between the professionals and artisans within the country.
To this end, the varsity Don advocated learning and relearning for the artisans to better improved their service delivery.
He also called for unity and synergy between the artisans and professionals in bridging the wide gaps between them.
He said: “This seminar is a wake up call that professionals and artisans have to work together, because in unity lies our strength. We should patronise ourselves and strengthen ourselves for individual business growth and development. This idea of let me do it alone should be jettisoned.
The artisans should do three things to grow their business; they should imbibe the culture of ammanah (trust), retraining, and work ethics. They must have work ethics and also ensure that they have state-of-the-art knowledge based on their fields of endavour.
If they follow these simple three steps, they can change the economic landscape of this country.”
At the panel session, the panelists advocated networking and outsourcing as a way of ensuring artisans deliver jobs to time.
Capacity building and upscaling were also emphasised as a means of ensuring the wide gap between the professionals class and artisans are bridged.
Speaking during the session, Mr Sulaiman Ijaoba said the need for upscaling and timely delivery of jobs are essential to improving small businesses within their locality.
Also, in his address Mr AbdulAzeez Adenle challenged the professionals on the need to assist the artisans in meeting clients demands through prompt payment of service as well as clear terms of agreement abi nitio of the business transaction.
He equally charged the artisans to strive harder to build capacities and efficiency that will help them deliver on promise.
In his contributions at the professionals and artisans parley, the Managing Director of Hajj Marbru Ventures, Alhaji Abdulhamid Solate said all fronts must work together as a team to achieve the desired objective of making every person be it professional or artisan work in a more professional way in service delivery.
He urged cooperation and understanding in delaying with one another in all business transactions.
