Can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Adenrele Lekan-Salami, the founder of Adenrele Lekan-Salami Foundation and the last child of Chief Lekan Salami.
A stadium was named after your late Dad by Oyo State Government but many people don’t really know who Lekan Salami was when he was alive
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 so far made tremendous impact in my life and I know this is what he would have wanted for me as his son.
Ohh, he loved sports too especially football (smiles). From history, I learnt he went 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 motivated me to attain high level. 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 act like him and I believe it is so for a reason.
You are an employee and a businessman, how has it 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 laudable and this is what has made me the person I am and helped my approach to getting things done. We never stopped learning, so I am still in the process and will always continue to make myself and business relevant.
Some people are trying to lure you into partisan politics. How prepared are you for this?
I would say I am not totally interested in going into politics, close people know I am more of a royal 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 Ibadan Land if it is the will of God.
A lot of people think ALS NGO 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 if we all take it as a point of duty. And 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, Mr. Tokunbo Salami who is a father figure in my life and my mum who went through a lot to make sure we graduated. There are a lot of people who also will do greater things if they are helped, 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 on the growing generation the need to go to school. On the funding, we are getting supports 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 that education 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 these are necessities of life and we will also secure good future for individuals and the country as a whole as we enlarge.
What has been your contribution to Shooting Stars FC?
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. When the time comes, I will be involved in the Shooting Stars FC.
You said earlier that you are aspiring to be Olubadan of Ibadan land, any plan to transform Ibadan?
The experience I have gathered far and wide will be helpful to continue from where the others have stopped if I become the Olubadan.
We have massive land that can be used for agriculture in Ibadan, which is the next best thing in Nigeria today, and if we are not fully involved, we might miss it. There are millions of unemployed youths today and we can get them involved in agriculture for them to earn a living. This is our major focus in the youth empowerment aspect of the foundation.
Your view about Oyo State government’s decision to review Olubadan chieftaincy arrangement?
It is a welcome development. Every policy or arrangement would need review at a certain time. The only prayer is for the right review to be done and without any selfish or political motive.
Your father’s benefactors and friends, do they still relate with the family?
Yes! Very well, they have been supportive.
Have you ever thought that if your father was alive, you would have done things better?
I think not meeting him is actually a blessing in disguise because if he was alive and I had that father figure as a rich man, I might not be who I am today.
