Dr. (Barr.) Salako Adewale is not just a silent achiever with intimidating credentials, he carved an enviable niche as an embodiment of infectious impacts rolled into landmark phenomenon.
Most striking and legacious about the Abuja based illustrious son of Abeokuta, Ogun State is his humanitarian clout as as a silent philantrophist, who over the years has brought the much needed smiles on the faces of many, especially his kinsmen, and Nigerians at large, most of whom he didn’t even know from Adam.
The product of the prestigious Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State is naturally quiet with his kind gestures to the needy.
To see the other side of him is to announce to anyone or make public his selfless assistance to you. Benefeciaries of his Philantrophy attest greatly to how the gentleman passionately pleaded with them not to share his gestures with anybody, saying it was borne of the inspiration he sourced from his humble beginning and covenant with Allah while hustling as a teenager; that should He made him successful in life he would be committed to selfless service to the downtrodden and humanity at large, especially his kinsmen.
Though far from being rich like Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Mike Adenuga, Mr. Femi Otedola and the likes of super money bags, Adewale out of the contentment of the resources that God gave him from his private practice as legal luminary and business mogul, among others has regularly offered free legal service to many, including yours truly (without knowing me from Adam nor referred to him)
Some years ago, one of the frontline banks started deducting a top-up loan I didn’t collect from my salary on monthly basis. I couldn’t afford the legal fee that lawyers were charging.
Somehow, I surfed the internet for an Abuja based lawyer since the case would be entertained therein. In the process, I reached out to the soft-spoken lawyer at the helmanship of Salako Adewale Law Firm, who is the gentleman I’ve been wordsmithing here.
He invited me to his state of the art chamber in Abuja, lodged me in an hotel, championed, and won the case for me, and I repeat, he didn’t know me from anywhere.
I later found that offering free legal service, empowering the needy with start-up capitals for businesses and giving out scholarships to youths, his kinsmen in particular, is Adewale’s natural life style for over a decade without expecting any reward, especially political patronage.
This is unlike many of your ‘politrickians’ who on the guise of realizing their political ambition often create one ‘ganusious’ (apology to Fuji music maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, KWAM 1) Foundation of ‘Greek gifts’ empowerment with catchy deceptive slogans in Yoruba political street parlance like “Itura De”, “Omi Titun Ti Ru”, “Irorun Lobade”, “Akorede Yin Ti De”, among others; only for the self proclaimed ‘messiahs’ to plunder our commonwealth with impunity and even descend so low to the point of stealing palliatives that are meant for the poor masses.
Adewale who is also a Chartered Accountant and recipient of many unsolicited prestigious awards at home and in diaspora is a personification of integrity, a modicum of pedigree, unassuming, cerebral and a born leader who earned the respect of many because of his sterling qualities that are exemplary and highly emulatable (meaning eniti o se muletii (e-muleti-able) in my own self coined interpretation in Yoruba.
Despite lacking the likes of Adewale and his much needed leadership virtues at the helms of governance in our dear country, it is ironical that the CEO of City Mart Conglomerate home and abroad is not interested in partisan politics. Salako won’t touch that slippery terrain even with the longest poles in the ‘Guinness Book of Records’.
The reason is not far fetched: For one, Adewale is politically shy and yet he’s a leader and manager men and resources at other leadership spheres other than politics. As a matter of fact, he’s revered as one of the giants and master strategists of Boardroom politics but partisan politics is a no go area for the multi discipline guru that has ‘Maharaji’ (guru maharaji on my mind).
More importantly, his indifference to politics is based on his unwavering conviction that you can serve humanity, especially your people, creditably in your own little way without dabbling into politics or occupying political office.
However, if permutation is anything to go by, then you can’t relegate to the dust bin the postulation of political observers.
Pundits who have been observing the credibility of Adewale ditto his selfless leadership service to the downtrodden believe that with strong persuasion from the ranks and files of his people in Ogun State, the pendulum of decision of the Midas touch Entrepreneur is most likely to tilt and swing in favour of changing his mind and accepting the patriotic call of his kinsmen to serve.
Observers of political history drew strength from the fact and are riding on the crest of philosophical indices that most of the successful leaders who are heroes or living legends were initially reluctant to exalted public office holders.
For instance, former Head of State and Commander -In- Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Olusegun Mathew Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo a.k.a Baba Iyabo, Ebora Owu and Apamaku of Africa pin-pointed his unwillingness to take over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria when he was asked to pick the gauntlet occasioned by the brutal and gory assassination of his principal, the Head of State, Gen. Muritala Mohammed as his Deputy.
Obasanjo was on song again, this time around not in military jack-boot but in the toga of civilian ‘Babanriga’, after serving two terms as civilian President and he was rumoured to be eyeing another term of office even as life helmsman.
OBJ as fondly called, was his vintage self. He queried probingly. According to him, “How many presidents do you want to make out of me,” among others.
Who knows whether sooner or later, the good people of Ogun State, especially the highly cerebral sons and daughters of Egbaland would beckon on Dr.(Barr.) Salako Adewale to pick the gauntlet of political leadership and as such based on his unwavering love for his people, some of who enjoyed his benevolence even now that he’s not in politics, nonetheless government will humbly accept the offer saying, “I concurr, here I am, send me, I’m at your service”.
Only time will tell.
In the meantime, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the good people of Ogun State, other courtesies duly extended, I humbly present to you Citizen Salako Adewale FCA, Ph.D, BL, LLB, ACTI, ACS, CPAN, the untapped ‘politically shy’ Ogun State credible Governorship Material.
