Adenrele Lekan-Salami is the last born of the late Chief Lekan Salami, a renowned sponsor of the football game, especially in the South-West. His father’s astounding efforts at promoting the then IICC Football Club (now 3SC) in Ibadan, Oyo State, remain a reference point. In this interview, Adenrele, who is the founder of Adenrele Lekan-Salami Foundation, speaks on his foray into humanitarian activities. Excerpts:
A stadium was named after your late Dad by the Oyo State Government but many people don’t really know who Lekan Salami was. What do you know about your father?
I never really met him as I was just three months when he died, but I can say where I am today is a result of the legacies he left behind by being a philanthropist (helping the poor, the young, the old and giving educational scholarships to people, etc.) All of these made tremendous impact in my life and I know this is what he would have wanted for me as his son. Oh! He loved sports too, especially football, so much. From history, I learnt he went the extra miles for football clubs.
Growing up and knowing the kind of figure your father was, how do you feel?
I feel motivated. What I heard and read about him motivate me to attain higher goals. By the grace of God, I want to continue from where he stopped, and do even much more. Most times, I get comments of how much I look, and how I act like him and I believe it is so for a reason.
As a fatherless child from infant, how have things been?
Well, it has not been so easy but thanks be to God who has always been there for us. We have gone through thick and thin, met different people in business, but the experience gathered is worth it and this is what has made me the person I am and helped my approach to getting things done.
We never stop learning; so I am still in the process and will always continue to make myself and business relevant.
Would you love to go into politics?
I would say I am not totally interested in going into politics. Close people know I am more of a monarchy person, which explains why I have been nick-named ‘Asiwaju Olubadan’ (which was the last title conferred on my father before his death). Hence, I aim to become the Olubadan of Ibadanland if it is the will of God.
A lot of people think my NGO, ALS, is in existence to boost my interest in politics, but this is just about giving back to the people and like I said earlier, to continue the legacy my father left behind. There is nothing too little to help people with. If we all take it as a point of duty, the world will be a better place.
Tell us more about your NGO and how have you been funding it?
While growing up, I knew what it meant to be greatly helped by God and people. I can say I did not grow up with a silver spoon. Thanks to God for Mr. Tokunbo Salami, who is a father-figure in my life, and my mum, who went through a lot to make sure we graduated. This I call, the favour of God. There are a lot of people who also will do greater things if they get help; and our society will be better for it. On this note, the NGO’s aim and mission are to help and support people, young and old, men and women, boys and girls. We also want to instil in the growing generation, the need to go to school.
On the funding, we are getting support from family, friends and the public, who can also relate with our mission and are willing to partner with us.
How have you been using your NGO to help your community, especially Ibadan?
So far, we have provided academic materials such as books, school bags etc., to some schools in Ibadan, as we found out that some students do not have the basic amenities to study. Some students are also under our educational scholarship. We also go to some schools or communities to provide them with food and many more. We are working hard to ensure that most of our children go back to school. We hope to do much more.
Our major aim is feeding, education and youth empowerment, because we believe these are some of the things that are the necessities of life and will also secure good future for individuals and the country as a whole.
What has been your contribution to Shooting Stars FC, your late father’s pet football club?
I have not made any major contribution to 3SC; it is best to take one step at a time, as life is basically in phases. So, when the time comes, I will be involved in Shooting Stars FC.
Do your late father’s benefactors and friends still relate with the family?
Yes! Very well, they have been supportive.
Have you ever thought that if your father were alive you would have done things better?
I think not meeting him is actually a blessing in disguise, because if he were alive and I had that father figure as a rich man, I might not be who I am today.
