History of Professional Locksmithing in Nigeria

Right from the Stone Age, the art of fabricating things by metal workers who make and repair things made of iron and gold called blacksmith has been in existence. These ones produces local things for use by the people back then, with the use of crude methods and for a long time, people allover the world, African and European countries relied on the services provided by these local blacksmith for their iron/gold based products.

Modern Professional Locksmith started in the early eighties in Nigeria. The idea of modern locksmith gave birth to a lot of individuals and companies getting involved into the industry. Foremost in the procurement of these products is a company called Chilex Security Products Limited in Lagos specifically incorporate to import and market key duplicating machine, keys blanks, ironmongery and also venture into locksmith in Nigeria.

Thereafter, the company received appropriate police edict to comply with after security guidelines on the professional for the overall benefits of the country.

This idea gave birth to the formation of a formidable professional association, with three gentlemen – Mazi Mannix Ihueze Iheonye, Alhaji Lekan and Mazi Iheanyi Nwakannma rubbing minds together and to chart a new beginning. The aims and objectives among others of the professional association include:-

• To develop the craft, the technology and other arts of the locksmith in Nigeria as in other parts of the world.
• To initiate and encourage relevant research programmes with a view to developing and perfecting the science and technology of Locksmith in Nigeria.
• To act as a watchdog for the maintenance of standards in Locksmith services for the maintenance of standards in Locksmith services or any standard set by regulatory organs of the government.

By all fall 1989, the above trio working so hard, had contracted so many people in the industry.

After a period of hard gestation, the association was given birth to in early 1990. At the first election in1990, Mazi Iheonye emerged as the founding National President after serving as proterm for one year while late Mr. Kayode Oladimeji was elected the first National Secretary and Mr. Fin Nuga later serving as National Secretary with over 150 members cutting across the length and breadth of Nigeria, with over 50 applications awaiting accreditation and confirmation. The association is fully reorganised by the law of the country and have been incorporated. After Mazi Iheonye served as president for six years, he handed over to the able team o executives led by Mazi Iheayin Nwankanma and history was written in the annals of Locksmith in Nigeria when ht association was officially inaugurated and launched on Wednesday 22nd May, 1996 at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja. Ever since, the association has continued to grow from strength to strength. IT is hoped that I the near future, local fabrication and production of some of the products will be made in Nigeria.

Subsequently, in 1997, the first investiture ceremony of the association took place at Ikeja Airport Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria where certified members were officially issued with Certificates of Membership. History was further made on the 29th of April, 1990 as the second investiture ceremony and the launching of a hand book on Locksmith took place.

The objects of PLAN

The Association has been established with the following in mind:

1. To bring all persons whether corporate or individual engaged in the business of locksmithing under one unified fold.

2. To develop the craft, technology and art of locksmithing in Nigeria.

3. To initiate and encourage relevant research programmes with a view to developing and perfecting the science and technology of locksmithing in Nigeria.

4. To present a strong united front in the promotion, protection and defence of locksmith profession including the welfare and interest of individual members of the Association.

5. To act as a watchdog for the maintenance of standards in locksmith services set by regulatory organs of the government.

6. To control and protect the practice and service of locksmith profession with the ultimate view of creating, promoting and maintaining the highest standards of integrity, quality of workmanship and high ethical standards in the conduct of the practitioners of blacksmithing to the public.

7. To utilize the forum of the Association to acquire, generate and promote mutual knowledge of the trade of locksmith with a view to achieving mutual self-improvement, education and knowledge on the trade.

8. To organize regular training for the members through seminars, symposiums, workshops lectures and othe similar programmes.

9. To do all such other things lawfully permissible to achieve the above objects