More than a decade after his death, the memory of Pa Salami Aremu Jimoh remains strong in the mining communities of Hangha and Tongo in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province, where he spent a significant part of his life building businesses, relationships and lasting bonds with the people.

Born in 1934 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Pa Salami travelled to Sierra Leone in search of opportunities and eventually made the country his second home. He established himself in the artisanal diamond trade, earning a reputation among miners, traders and business associates for his diligence and integrity.

But for those who knew him closely, his greatest legacy was not his success in the diamond business.

It was the lives he touched.

In Hangha and neighbouring Tongo, Pa Salami was remembered as a man whose word could be trusted. In an industry where competition and uncertainty were often part of daily life, he built his relationships around honesty, fairness and mutual respect.

His influence also extended beyond business.

To many residents, he was a father figure, adviser and mentor. His home was said to be open to people in need, while young people often turned to him for counsel on business and personal matters.

Those who benefited from his generosity recall his support for struggling families and individuals facing financial difficulties. He also encouraged young people who sought to establish businesses of their own, believing that success was meaningful only when it could be used to improve the lives of others.

Although he remained proud of his Nigerian and Yoruba roots, Pa Salami developed a strong bond with Sierra Leone and the communities in which he lived and worked.

Hangha, one of the country’s notable diamond-producing areas, attracted miners and traders from across West Africa. It was within this diverse setting that Pa Salami built a reputation not only as a businessman but also as a man committed to peaceful coexistence and responsible dealings.

More than a decade after his passing, memories of those relationships remain.

His name is still recalled in the communities where he worked, while families who encountered his generosity continue to speak of the impact he made on their lives.

That memory was recently revived when his children organised a three-day Qur’anic reading in his honour. The programme brought together members of the family, friends, neighbours, Islamic scholars and other well-wishers.

The gathering was both a religious observance and an opportunity to reflect on a life remembered for faith, humility, generosity and service to others.

During the programme, Islamic scholars recited verses from the Holy Qur’an and offered prayers for the repose of his soul, asking Almighty Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, illuminate his grave and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.

Food was also prepared and shared among participants, reflecting the culture of generosity associated with his memory.

For his children and grandchildren, preserving Pa Salami’s memory is not simply about celebrating the achievements of a successful businessman. It is about keeping alive the values he represented.

Honesty. Compassion. Humility. Generosity. Service to others.

They believe the best way to honour his memory is to continue those values by helping people in need and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

His story also offers a wider lesson about the meaning of legacy.

Businesses may change hands, fortunes may rise and fall, and physical presence may eventually disappear. But the reputation built through kindness and service can endure long after a person is gone.

In Hangha, Tongo and beyond, Pa Salami Aremu Jimoh’s memory continues to endure through the people he helped, the relationships he forged and the values he passed down to his family.

He may no longer walk the streets of the communities he once called home, but the impact of his life remains visible in the memories of those who knew him.

For Pa Salami, death may have ended his earthly journey, but it did not end the legacy of a life spent in service to humanity.

May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, expand and illuminate his grave, and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.