OWOLABI SALIS’ UNCOMMON HEART OF GOLD

High Chief Owolabi Salis shouldn’t have much to do with Nigeria or Nigerians, because the crust of his business is in the United States of America. but his love for his people just wouldn’t keep him away.

This year alone, the international lawyercum-businessman has sponsored at least three humanitarian projects for the good of the nation and for Nigerians, whose progress he’s most passionate about.

At the height of the agitation in some sections of the country for self-rule, the Ikorodu chieftain was in the thick of the matter, conferring with some community leaders to prevail on their people to embrace unity and shun violent agitation. This was in line with his earlier conviction that Nigeria must be one to be a true leader in the comity of nations.

The One Nigeria project, which he initiated three years ago was not by accident. The ebullient and indefatigable humanist foresaw the problem and made a move to forestall it.

The initiative which is activated in cultural rally and music concert on October 1, of every year has gone a long way in uniting different ethnic groups in Lagos, the most cosmopolitan state in Nigeria. It is particularly evident in the fact that the leaders of each ethnic group lead their people to partake in the rally every year. In the same vein, Salis recently initiated a skill acquisition programme to empower Lagos youths in more than 30 areas. In fact, this programme which kicked off last October is expected to run till December and hundreds of Lagosians have already acquired skills to live a new life and to be productive to the society.