Mr Julius Osai, philanthropist, businessman extraordinaire
There are occasions ordinary things that people do eventually become examples for generations to emulate.
While some had unknowingly encountered ‘angels on earth’ and offered assistance to them in diverse ways, others on the contrary, acted callously to people without considering their social standings and never considered their social standing.
Mr Julius Osai, a businessman, an extraordinary philanthropist, and the sole newspaper vendor at Kpando, in the Volta Region, and the Managing Director of Josaco Enterprise is committed to assisting people in need and, this has attracted the attention of The Spectator.
It was announced during a thanksgiving church service at Kpando that Mr Julius Osai looked after a bed-ridden relative for 29 years. He literally gave out money to the immediate family of the sick on every market day- which meant two times a week- multiplied by 29 years.
At the beginning of the interview, he pleaded with me that the financial assistance he had offered the relative should be expunged from the profile to which l had initially agreed.
Having pondered over the issue, l explained to him that it was essential to mention this act of kindness since it could serve as an example for others to emulate.
When asked to dilate on the sort of assistance he had rendered , he said he considered it a responsibility to support the sick relative. He intimated that he occasionally reviewed the amount he gave out throughout the period, and ordered his staff to release the money to the family whenever he travelled.
The philanthropist disclosed that there were other less-privileged in the society who were also beneficiaries of his magnanimity.
His late grandfather, Mr Alfred Osai, a successful merchant who traded between Lome, Kpalime and Kpando, was one of the first people to be baptised at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Kpando .
Mr John Osai, his father, also of blessed memory, played commendable roles by assisting all manner of people including needy-but-brilliant students in the family and those outside his family.
Businessman
The then young entrepreneur joined the family business in 1970 and having been taught the rudiments of the work by his father, took over the daily running of the business while his father played a supervisory role.
Mr Osai who sells building materials and has a staff of 15 said working as an entrepreneur provided him the opportunity to deal with different kinds of people.
He took stock of his goods which were sold out by the close of the day to enable him to know the items which were out of stock and needed to be replaced.
The businessman disclosed that honesty was necessary to keep an entrepreneur in business. According to him, there were occasions some traders credited goods from suppliers, but failed to pay as they had promised, and would rather go to different suppliers to transact business with them.
He said such a behaviour had rendered some people not trustworthy, leading to the collapse of their businesses.
Mr Osai was of the view that good businessmen and women were those financially disciplined, dealt politely with customers, monitored the market environment, and provided fast-moving goods for customers.
Family traits
It is refreshing to note that specific traits which are easily identified with some families have literally flowed through the generations.
His late grandfather , Mr Alfred Osai, from whom his father took over the business, was very instrumental in the building of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Kpando.
Following that line, his father served many years as the treasurer of the church.
And like his father, Mr Julius Osai also served on the Parish Pastoral Council as the Treasurer of the church for eight years. In addition to that, built an Adoration Chapel for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Kpando.
Youth
Passionate about the spiritual growth of the people in the church, he has advised the youth specifically to be honest in their dealings and eschew the ‘get rich quick ‘ attitude.
He explained that many of those in responsible positions today had toiled many years to make it in life, and bear in mind that with God all things were possible.
Mr Osai urged the youth to concentrate on their education, adding that life had availed them of options to enable them to decide on which path they want to follow.
“Respect the admonision of the elderly, remain submissive to your parents and all in authority, and learn to love and serve God in humility,”
He said it was unfortunate that some customers would not live up to their promises and tried to pull fast one on him.
Family Life
Mr Osai is married to Mrs Peace Petrey Osai and has five children.
His current succession plan is to train a nephew to man the shop when he becomes feeble and tired of work.
Hobbies
For his pastime he takes delight in watching football, listening to cool music and enjoys eating Akple with any palatable soup to accompany it.
By Raymond Kyekye