VOX POP

• WHAT MEAL WOULD YOU START YOUR DAY WITH FOR ENHANCED PERFORMANCE AT WORK?
• HOW WILL YOU FEEL WHEN YOUR COLLEAGUE IS A FEMALE (MACHINE OPERATOR)?

Two of the most significant topics of discussion whenever print operators relax after a hard-day’s job are food and woman (albeit as an operator). As the fuel that keeps the engine burning, food is quite important to human life. However, different strokes is for different folks – they say, which is the reason behind our VOX POP in this edition. WHERE To Print went to town – particularly in the printing hubs of Shomolu, Mushin and Surulere and spoke with print operators on which food they prefer, and why? We also sought their opinion about women print operators. Their thoughts are not only funny but ridiculous though some are quite thought-provoking. Excerpt below:

1. SUNDAY ADENUGBA [LARGE FORMAT PRINT OPERATOR AT BCJ PRESS, SHOMOLU]
2. I prefer rice because of the energy it gives. Eating heavy food before the start of a day’s work will hinder my operation.
3. I was happy when I saw one. The world we live in has changed and so it’s not a big deal for a woman operating a large format printing machine. I will even like to patronize her to encourage her and to see how professional she is.

1. SURAJ ABIODUN [KORD OPERATOR AT ABIODUN PRINTING PRESS, SHOMOLU]
2. I don’t need much food to work but my choice will be rice.
3. It’s rare to see a female Kord Operator but when there is one, she must be smart and not feminine on the machine. Above all, I will be impressed.

1. KELECHI NDUKWU [LARGE FORMAT PRINT OPERATOR AT T DEGREE PRESS, SHOMOLU]
2. Noodles or rice is my favorite and I will take it for enhanced performance at work.
3. It’s not new, I have seen one. I was surprised though but it’s risky for her because of the stress of carrying materials as such even most press owners will find it hard employing a female Large Format Machine Operator.

1. OLAYINKA OLASUNKANMI [LITHOGRAPHER AT MIKE OLAS PRINTING PRESS, MUSHIN]
2. I take ‘pap’ or rice in the morning to increase my work rate – as something light will be good to start the day with.
3. I’d feel motivated to do more so as to surpass her. Either way, I will be inspired because I believe what a man can do, a man can still do better!

1. HABEEB ALADE [KORD OPERATOR AT MUBIZ VENTURES, MUSHIN]
2. When I eat rice, I get the energy to work all day.
3. I will be happy because that shows how strong and courageous she is. Operating machine is not easy and that shows she’s a good learner.

1. OLANREWAJU SULEIMAN [KORD OPERATOR AT BEST WORTH INVESTMENT LTD, MUSHIN]
2. Bread and beans are my choice for maximum energy or rice sometimes.
3. It is a welcome development. I look forward to the day I see one; and it is what we want in the (print) industry.

1. BIDEMI ASHAKA [BOOK BINDER AT CORE BIND PRESS, MUSHIN]
2. In the morning, ‘pap’ and beans are my choice. When I take it, I get energy.
3. When I see one, I’ll definitely be inspired to do more.

1. MICHAEL EKUMA [CUTTING MACHINE OPERATOR AT ALABAMA GRAPHICS, SURULERE]
2. Any food I feel like eating that day will be what I go for. Yam, Beans or Rice.
3. I’ve seen her before and it was a nice thing to see. She looked so smart and that is the most important thing.

1. SEGUN ADEBOWALE [LASER, ENGRAVING & CUTTING MACHINE OPERATOR AT AJIB PRINT SOLUTIONS, SURULERE]
2. My job does not include much stress but rice will be my choice.
3. There’s not much stress involved so a lady can operate the machine. I’ll feel inspired and try to step up my own operation to surpass her.

1. MATHEW [INDEPENDENT 201 OPERATOR]
2. Rice any day. When I eat rice, I’m good to go.
3. That shows she’s hardworking and I will have so much respect for her.

1. CHRISTIAN [INDEPENDENT KORD OPERATOR]
2. That depends largely on my appetite but rice will be my preferred choice any day.

I will be surprised seeing a woman operate a Kord Machine but afterwards I’ll be forced to step up my own work.

• And when we spoke with a woman operator……

MISS PROMISE ALIMAH [DIRECT IMAGE MACHINE OPERATOR AT SIDUS CONCEPT, SURULERE]

1. Noodles any day…
2. I feel good doing this. As a lady, I receive compliments from people and I think that might have affected the level of patronage at our press. I also think this shows that ‘what a man can do, a woman can do better’.