Mr Samuel Solarin is the Chairman of an international logistics firm headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, BigSam Global Logistics Limited. In this interview with SEGUN KASALI, he shared his childhood experiences, approaches to life, and other issues.
HOW was Sagamu in those days while growing up?
The environment was peaceful and we had interesting experience. I have been in love with business at that tender age. I remember doing cross-border trading from Cotonou. I started it at age 17 and I think I built my own house at age 21. My mum put me into that because she used to sell clothes then, so I grew up selling one thing or the other. As far back as age 9, I started making income from the nylon bags and old newspapers that I sold in those days; we would arrange the papers and send them to suya sellers. I learnt from my mother very early in life that you can only make it where there is a challenge at a particular environment. All you need to do is to look for the problem and find solution to it. I remember in those days the people who sold suya used cement papers to package their suya. And my mum went to Lagos one day and thought of selling old newspapers to them. So, she came with bundle of newspapers and we started selling it to them. For me, the motivation was that you just have to believe in yourself. At every point in time, I strongly believe in myself, I would never lie to you. And I also share the belief that life is full of challenges. In my life, I have been through ups and downs.
How do you mean?
I remember 1999 when they had the ethnic clash in Sagamu, my petrol tanker was burnt and my house was almost burnt. I lost almost everything and as a result I went back to Lagos. Sagamu clash happened between Hausas and Yorubas. It happened after a prostitute, who had come out while there was an Oro Festival, was apprehended by the adherents. The Hausas said nothing must be done to her, but the owners of the land said it was their tradition to do something and they did. So, the Hausas revolted against it and that led to clash where many houses, businesses and cars were burnt.
How much would you say you lost to the issue?
I lost between N7 to N10 million at the time because a tanker of kerosene used to be over N300,000 at the time. I almost killed myself because I kept asking myself where to start from, but, I thank God for life because I started all over again. I travelled to Lagos, met with my aunty who asked me to join her car business and that was how I changed from having a petroleum business to car business. Then, the port was newly reopened for business. So, we just got there and took advantage of that. That was how the business started booming.
Did you later go to Sagamu after this boom?
Yes, I did and by the time I got there, it was in full force. You won’t believe it was at that time I was able to buy my house and everything turned out for the better again after that unfortunate incident.
But how did you juggle your business with education?
During that time, I was out of school already. I think I was 24 years old and I already had my first son. So, I saw myself as young, agile and ready to take any calculative risk. So, I started taking risk right from childhood; I don’t like being dependent on anybody. I love my self sustainability and I see opportunities wherever I find myself. I remember when my friend introduced me to petroleum business, I did not like the way they were doing it and I rebranded it. We were just intermediaries between the marketers and the people who buy it. And from there, I had my own office, car and all that because I always make sure I am organised in anything I do.
You grew up with mum, what are the traits you took from her?
She is God-fearing. Even if nobody sees you, God sees your heart. Have the fear of God in everything you do and don’t forget the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It makes life easy for you. Even though the whole world is against you, it would mean positive to you in the long run. My mum taught me to be very peaceful. She could have a little argument with you, but she would never fight anyone. I think that is one of the biggest things I took from her and that is one of the reasons I have never raised my hand to fight anyone before. I would walk away no matter what you do; I don’t believe in violence. Those were the things I learnt from my mum. She taught me how to be industrious. I learnt how to make money from everything. I can’t tell how many times I have met people and they say ‘this guy is very creative.’ This is because when I am there, I would try to create something that would make it work for me and also make you happy. I would still make a good living from you and you would be happy I am doing that.
How was life when you came to the UK?
When I came to the UK, I lived with some of my friends. They were the ones who accommodated me. In order to make my little contribution while there, I was cooking for them and also washing their clothes. Out of this, they felt this guy was doing a lot and they said BigSam take this money and help us cook before we come. From the money they gave me, I was still able to save. I would do the shopping for the whole house after everybody had contributed. I would still have money for myself. They were so happy that I cooked and did a lot for them. They knew I was making from them, but they were also happy. I remember I rented an apartment eventually and from living in that house, I sub-let the rooms and started making money from there. I rented the apartment for £300, but I collected £300 for each room from those I sub-let it to. By the time I paid the landlord, I still made enough money. So, it is always trying to sustain yourself wherever you find yourself.
Looking back, what is the event that breaks you down?
There are a lot, but all I have got to say is thank you lord. To be honest, I would say the one that really touched me most was the Sagamu ethnic clash. This was because I had that experience when I was young and I think that event shaped me to becoming who I am today. That was the only time I thought I would have killed myself because it is a different thing to lose money and it is another thing that people think you are stupid and another thing that people are after your life due to the loss of money. When I lost everything, I had my boss’ money with me but returned it to him. Everyone said I was stupid and I could have said the money was burnt during the clash. But, I could not hold such money and I returned it to him. After that, the people who invested in me while I was doing the petroleum business came after me with Vigilante operatives and threatened to kill me. So, the pressure was so much and I told myself I would be ever be grateful if I could come out of that. To God be the glory, I was able to come out of it. Since then, I remain unshaken to life issues.
When would you say BigSam Logistics really made a breakthrough?
We are still growing. The breakthrough started in 2011 after which I had already got my full residency. I had just left Spain for the UK and was trying to get a job. I remember that I came to the UK in 2004 and left in 2007 for Spain. After I came back, I saw the friends I left behind doing well. I tried getting a job but lack of experience was always the drawback. At a point, I just said to myself that I wouldn’t look for job anymore and I created mine and I started buying and selling cars. After one year, I started seeing reasons why I should do more in that business. The real me back home came knocking and that was how it started BigSam here and there and everything started changing. When I had my last daughter in 2012 and had her christening. People asked why I threw a party like I did and that brought attention. This was a party we started 5 p.m. and ended 7 a.m. the following day. We had musicians from Nigeria like Dare Melody, Wasiu Ajani, and so many others. We also had three DJs. I can tell you it has been the help of God. I can say this boldly anywhere in the world that the only helper I have ever seen in my life is God. I cannot forget when everything went down in 1999/2000 and it felt like the end of the world. A friend took me to Winners Chapel for a crossover service and that was the first time the church moved to Sango Ota. I remember I prayed very hard over my predicament. And I told God to just re-write my story for greater things. As we were leaving the service, I saw a sticker, saying “I would never stop until I reach the top” and I bought that sticker and that has been my mantra since then. Since I joined the Winning Family, it has never been the same.
READ ALSO: Lagos govt arrests six for urinating on rail track
