Africa Must Imbibe Culture of ‘Celebrating Her Heroes’, says Salami

Esther Oluku

World-class strategist and member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Dr. Abiola Salami, has said that Africa must imbibe the culture of celebrating her indigenous heroes to inspire its younger generation.

Salami made this assertion while fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines of The Peak Performer (TPP) Awards ceremony, which also doubles as the grand finale of the three-day long TPP Festival held in Lagos.

He stated that while the continent may have its share of challenges, indigenous African people have built legacy businesses and institutions and pioneered careers, leaving their footprints on the rocks of life and telling their stories is important to preserving Africa’s rich history and inspiring her youth population.

He noted that while a significant proportion of young Africans are familiar with thriving businesses, innovators, and industry thought leaders in the Western world, not many African legacy business owners, innovators, and industry thought leaders are recognized by young Africans.

Salami explained that the paucity of narratives and recognition for African thought leaders is a trend that needs to be corrected. According to him, creating avenues for the celebration of Africa’s heroes across various spheres of influence is a step in the right direction.

“A lot of young people in Africa know about businesses that were founded in America. They know about businesses in Silicon Valley, but they don’t know about businesses in Lagos, they don’t know about businesses in Cape Town. They don’t know as much about businesses and cities around Africa.

“Some Africans have built businesses that have succeeded and lasted 20, 30, and even 40 years. Their stories are much needed by the young people of today. They serve as inspiration to the young people of today, and that is why we are through this recognition, bridging that gap.

Speaking on the importance of sustaining the practice of celebrating African leaders across industries, Salami said; “whatever you appreciate grows. If you don’t appreciate something, it will not grow. So if somebody has delivered a level of success, not because the person is perfect, but because the person has done one thing, well, let us tell them. Let us not hide it.

“If we complain when things are not going right, let us also applaud when things are going right. There are a number of things going right in Nigeria and our continent. It is not all gloom and doom. Of course, when things need to be improved, we should say it as well and also provide solutions to help them because generally, if people know better, generally they do better.”

The Awards ceremony honoured 16 outstanding Africans personalities for their contributions to the continent and 20 businesses across Africa’s private and public sector for delivering excellent service and being a beacon of sustainability across the continent.

Some of the honorees at the event include; Marketing and Communications Expert, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo; Information Technology Engineer, Sir. Ademola Aladekomo; textile artist,Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye-Davies, Media Personality, Dr. John Momoh, and Oil and Gas Mogul, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija.

Other awardees include; renowned Economist, Mr. Foluso Philips; Entrepreneur, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, legendary Actress, Ms. Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Actor, Mr. Richard Mofe Damijo; Seasoned banker, Mr. Tunde Lemo, Lawyer, Mr. Austin Oyarekhua Alegeh FCIARB(UK), SAN, Co-Founded Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Fola Adeola, OFR; and Pharmacist and philanthropist,
Mrs Stella Chinyelu Okoli.

The companies which made the list of businesses awarded include: Axa Mansard, Bank of Industry, Colton Group,
Emerging Africa, GDL, Homework Group, Kenyon International, LAPO, Leadway, Lotus Bank, MasterCard, Network International, Nigerian Breweries, SaroAfrica, ShoreLine Group, Sifax Group, Signal Alliance, Starzs Investment, LIRS and Zedcrest Group.