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I once worked as a bus conductor —Ogun traditional ruler
In this interview, Oba Kazeem Adeshina Salami, the Osobia of Makun-Omi Kingdom in Ogun
Waterside Local Government Area, shared his life story with TUNDE ADELEKE.
I have actually been influenced by both factors. I grew up as an average child with a humble parentage. My father popularly called “Majaya” was a jolly good fellow, loved by all and a philanthropist of note, helping both the haves and the have-nots. He also had special affection for people from my community and Ijebu Waterside generally. In fact, I must confess that the goodwill of my father helped me greatly when I was nominated by my community to be the king. It’s like tapping from his anointing. I’m very proud of him. My mother equally devoted her life to helping others. She loved giving. She could hardly withstand seeing a fellow human being suffer. She preferred to sleep on empty stomach rather than eating alone in the midst of hunger and poverty. I still recall how my mother would pack clothes, shoes and other valuables to give out to those in need. To her, fingers are not equal, and you can’t know how it feels if you haven’t experienced it. That’s the kind of background I had.
So, you are moved by poverty everywhere?
Today, if you look around, you’ll find out that poverty is more pronounced than when we were growing up. You see people by the roadside, in the market, practically begging for what to eat. You must be stone-hearted to see such people and close your eyes, especially when you have the financial resources. So, the social environment is part of it. And like Yusuf, who vowed never to stop giving, until Allah stopped blessing him, I will continue to support the underprivileged and the society as a way of appreciating God for what He has done in my life. I pick special interest in empowering people, particularly the youth and women. I have sponsored many through school, paid WASSCE fee for hundreds and paid stipends to part-time teachers to help brush up secondary school students, especially in my community.
I have received several honours in recognition of my efforts. These include an award from the Akinsemoyin Royal Family of Lagos for contributions to the economic growth of Lagos. Lekki Concession Company Limited also honoured me as one of the most influential CEOs in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The Music Advertisement Association of Nigeria as well as Lagos State Central Sand and Granite Suppliers Association, Eti-Osa chapter, have also honoured me in recognition of my contributions to their sectors.
How was life growing up?
I thank the Almighty Allah that I was able to wade through the storms I encountered at the early stage of my life. Yes, my parents did their best to bring me up properly, but you know there were times I almost veered off. I worked as a bus conductor at a time. That was while I was attending Quranic school at Erepoto, Epe in Lagos State under the tutelage of Alfa Moshood Afolabi who hailed from Offa, Kwara State. To fetch extra money for myself when things were a bit hard, I would sneak out of the Quranic school to work as a conductor on buses plying the Maroko-Sandfield route.
How was life at the Quranic school?
I would like to state that living with my Quranic teacher and his wife was a worthwhile experience. They treated me like their son. They were nice to me. Yes, we fetched firewood for the wife to roast corn for sale and cook for the house, they would opt to remain hungry rather than allow us to go to bed with an empty stomach. It’s all history now because as a child of destiny, Allah saw me through all the vicissitudes of life and today, I have the honour and privilege of being the traditional ruler of the ancient but fast-developing town of Makun-Omi in Ogun State.
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I had my early education at Awoyaya Primary School, Maroko between 1974 and 1980 and Government College, Maroko, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 1980 to 1985. I attended a series of courses, seminars and workshops on business, development and leadership skills, both within and outside the country. I have further educated and brushed myself up tremendously, through exposure and interaction as well as travelling.
How would you describe your career trajectory before ascending the throne?
I am a businessman and I have always been a businessman. I am presently the Chief Executive/Managing Director, KAZ Oil and Energy Services Nigeria Limited and Kaz-Salam Nigeria Limited, a property company. I am grateful to Allah that I am able to impact my society and provide jobs to many Nigerians. My philosophy of life is making people around me happy and ensuring that my people do not go to bed with empty stomachs, hence I plough money accruing from my businesses into empowering a lot of people.
What difference has your reign as a traditional ruler made in the community since ascended the throne four years ago?
I give all the glory and adoration to Allah. It has been four years of transformation and repositioning of Makun-Omi. With the support of the wonderful people of my community, we have become a trailblazer in the entire Ogun Waterside Local Government and indeed in Ogun State. Ours is a model community that other towns now strive to emulate in their development efforts. Upon ascending the throne on May 21, 2019, I had no doubt in my mind that the responsibility of my position required mobilising the people of my ancient town to chart a new course that would transform Makun-Omi into a model town. The vision to develop and transform the community became compelling because we have realised that the government cannot do it alone, nor can we alone do it by ourselves. We therefore harnessed resources at all levels of government, including the support of our father, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Can you be specific please?
Specifically and by the special grace of God, we can state that within the past four years, projects attracted to my community through communal and government efforts include installation of about 100 solar-powered street lights; construction of standard drainage and major roads in my community; the multimillion naira Makun-Omi Erosion Control Project; building of six giant stalls at our famous and historic century-old Trade by Barter Market; building of additional blocks of classrooms at Makun-Omi Comprehensive High School and provision of 100 desks and chairs for the school. Other projects completed within the short period I mounted the saddle are building of one of the best modern royal palaces in the entire Ogun State; placing Makun-Omi on the tourism calendar of Ogun State, and modernisation of the famous Okosi Festival which attracted more than 4,000 visitors and tourists to the town when it was held in May this year.
What event would you describe as the most memorable in your life?
Certainly it was my coronation which attracted no fewer than 50 traditional rulers and many dignitaries from all over the country. I was really overwhelmed with joy on that day, considering my humble beginning. It was indeed colourful and well-organised. I remain grateful to the kingmakers, chiefs, elders and all the good people of Makun-Omi for the honour. I assure them and my admirers that I will not let them down.
What pranks did you play as a youth?
Like every other youth of that era, I engaged in pranks such as catching and playing games with crabs and cats. I was also good at hide and seek.
Do you have any favourable food?
Yes. I like eating ikokore and eba as well as white rice and stew.
What genre of music are you comfortable with?
Fuji all the way, especially K1 the Ultimate.
How do you relax?
By listening to good music.
