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LIFE
20 Years After, Encomiums Pour for Late Industrialist, ‘Lord of Rumens’ Akintunde Akinwale
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wenty years after his death, Late Chief Abubakar Sadiq Ajisomo Olatunji Alabi, has remained a figure whose memories have not been forgotten by many Nigerians. For those who came across him during his lifetime, the ‘Lord of Rumens’ as he was fondly called, was an epitome of generosity, kindness and service to humanity. While many wealthy individuals live their lives to please themselves and their family members, Late Chief Alabi touched the lives of many people. His lifetimes prove truth to the saying ‘the good one does lives after him.’ His early life Chief Alabi grew up in Abeokuta, Ogun State, precisely Oke-Ona, a suburb of the ancient city. Born on February 12, 1915, to the family of Alhaji Muktar Alabi Alamutu and Alimotu Sadia Kanleara, he had his early education at Holy Trinity School in Ikereku, Abeokuta from 1930 to 1933. However, he couldn’t complete his education at the school as his parents later relocated to Lagos, where he later attended the Methodist Boys’ High School. To secure a bright future for himself, the then young Alabi began learning trade, both practical and theoretical, under United Africa Company Ltd, where he spent eight years. His knowledge and efficiency became known to the management of the company as well as the parent company in France. This led to bigger opportunity for him. The today’s success story of Total Oil Nigeria Limited will not be complete without mentioning the giant stride of Chief Alabi. How? His journey to success began in 1956, when he was invited by Compagnie Francaise Des Petroles, Paris, France, the parent company of United Africa Company Ltd, to join others in establishing Total Oil Nigeria Ltd. Like the proverbial golden fish that has no hidden place, his commitment, dexterity, brilliance and technical know-how also manifested during the 18years he spent helping to establish
the oil company, as he successfully carried out the assignment. He performed this duty so successfully, that he was further appointed as consultant advisor to the firm, apart from having become a major shareholder. His businesses After serving various establishments for many years, Chief Alabi thought wise to establish his own companies. This he did when he singlehandedly brought the famous Carrara Marble Company Ltd into Nigeria and transformed it into the biggest workshop in Africa. Shortly after arriving Nigeria, the company became the toast of both government and private construction companies. It began to enjoy patronage. Some of the works carried out by the company includes the then Nigerian Building industry, the Presidential lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Nigerian Industrial Development Bank Limited Headquarters, British High Commission, Australian High Commission, Stock Exchange and Lagos State Secretariat, amongst others. His business interests are not limited to marble. He was also a real estate, oil and gas, construction and farming expert. Until his death on November 12, 1998 he was chairman of several companies such as Tapol Nigeria Ltd., Kohler Construction Company Ltd, Elkuch Nigeria Ltd, Datamatics Company Ltd, Intercare Ltd, Vice-Chairman Red Fox Industries Nigeria Ltd, Chaiman Nigeria Marine & Trading Company Ltd and Sole Proprietor Cornerstone Estate. Philanthropic gestures and contribution to sports Chief Alabi understood the importance of giving back to the society, thus he was known as a philanthropist. His philanthropic gestures endeared him to many people as he was generous and likeable. He was responsible for opening up the fishing village of Makoko, an otherwise landlocked habitat of fishermen and craftsmen in the late 1950’s, by building a model estate. In appreciation for transforming the community, he was given the title ‘Mayor of Makoko’. He earned the nickname ‘Lord of Rumens’, when in the late 1960’s, he transformed the condemned and abandoned swamp on Rumens
Lord of Rumens
Road, Falomo, lkoyi, into an estate befitting a metropolis like Lagos, thus earning himself the name ‘Lord Rumens’. His contributions to the development of sport in Lagos have been hailed by sport loving Lagosians, including the state government. He was a lover of Lawn Tennis, thus he dedicated his time and resources to developing Lawn Tennis in the country. He became the President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in 1966, and helped the game with his generous sponsorship and modernization of the club. During his reign, he initiated the Lagos Tennis Classic, which saw the participation of many international tennis stars. In 1971, he brought the likes of the late Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith to Nigeria for a tournament.
The main court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club is currently name after late Chief Alabi in honor of what he did for the sport. Since his demise, several lawn tennis tournaments have been held in his honor. Chief Alabi was survived by six children; George, Subuola, Babatunde, Awujoola, Oluwakemi, Opeyemi, all of whom are successful in their careers. “He was that compassionate, loving, dotting and discipline father who never spared the rod. His sermon on the dinning table for us was always about hard work and discipline. For relatives and friends, he was that reliable man who never turned away anyone in need. Even strangers who were opportuned to meet him, had good tales to tell,� says the children.
Fond Memories of My Mother, Grace Modupe Badejo Yetunde Badejo
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he always had a smile on her face. Even when circumstances seemed unfavourable, that smile never left her face. My mother would laugh at anything, even at the least funny thing. Indeed, she appreciated the simple pleasures of life and found happiness in most difficult circumstances. Obviously, it must be this light-heartedness pleasant disposition of hers that won her so many friends. Sisi, as my brothers and I fondly called her, was the soul of our home. She would listen patiently to our accounts of our busy day. Without being judgemental, she would listen to the “funnyâ€? and “weirdâ€? things we told her. Then, she would offer her words of encouragement to each one of us, urging us to soldier on. Eventually, she would celebrate our achievements, no matter how little‌ Mother left this world on the morning of November 14, 2018. That was when we realised that we had lost our best friend. Who would have taught us integrity, contentment, respect for humanity and how to pray the way she did? And talking about prayers, we never missed church services. She would never accept any excuse for neglecting one’s service to the Lord. As a hard worker, she never tolerated laziness. I recall how, growing up with my two brothers, she used to share household chores and responsibilities between us. Whenever we argued among ourselves or quarrelled about who had the most chores, she would often tell us: “It’s division of labour.â€? I could go on and on about Mummy. But, whatever I recall or say about her will always revolve around the capitalised keywords: Prayerful, Warm, Kind, Disciplined, Supportive, Virtuous, Focused and Intelligent. To her, everything was possible so far as the Almighty God was involved. Her social life was anything but dreary. She had good sartorial taste, loved nature so much that she enjoyed planting flowers, loved taking
Badejo
photographs and dancing, even as she would recite a thousand “Thank you, Jesus rosary, which she never missed. She would religiously go for her morning evangelism at the local bus-stop with her team but would not miss her political news on TV or the Indian soap opera, Twist of Fate on Zee World channel. A rare gem, who lived solely for her children. That was my mother. To her, no sacrifice was too big or small for us. Mummy was great company for young and old, men and women. She abhorred injustice and arrogance. She used unconventional and powerful ways to teach her children life les-
sons. I know she is now proud of us. After all, she laboured to see us excel. Born in February, 22, 1952, Mummy bore the names Grace Modupe. She was born into the family of Ogunleye Ojo of Atetedaye Quarters, Ifaki-Ekiti. Otunba Grace Modupe Badejo was a beautiful lady. She attended her Government Primary School Owo and Saint Louis Catholic School, Owo (both in Ondo State), where she was both the dormitory and table prefect in 1974. She later attended Faith Christian Theological Seminary from 1966 to 2000, where she obtained a doctorate degree.
She worked briefly with Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs (Nigerian Prisons Service) from August 1974 to August 1978. During this period, she worked at the Ado-Ekiti Prison, trained at the Enugu Prison Training School and in Okitipupa Prison, where she finally resigned in 1978. She joined UAC Property Division in August 1978, from where she was transferred to A. J. Seward, Oregun Ikeja. She rose to Supervisory level before resigning in March 1998 to establish several mini neighbourhood stores within Lagos State. In 2014, she was installed, Otun Iyaloja of Ajuwon Market by HRH Oba Nuradaon Egunsola, The Alayiwon of Ajuwon. In December 2017, she was crowned the Yeye Baobagunwa of Ijelu, Ekiti. Called to the service of the Lord, she ran a motor park evangelical ministry for over 10 years with a team of able God-sent men and women. She was a devout Catholic and member of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary Society and Night Adorer. A committed Christian and leader, she would be remembered for the genuine love she showered on her fellow humans while on earth. Mummy’s remains will be interred at the Badejo’s residence, 5, Adeniyi Badejo Close, Iju-Ajuwon, Ogun-State in Ajuwon, Ogun State after a funeral service at the St Alphonsus Catholic Church along Akute-Ajuwon road in Ogun State from 10 am. A reception follows at S & Y Events Centre, Iju-Ajuwon Road, Cele-Bus stop, Lagos. These events would be preceded by services of songs and Christian wakes at the Badejo’s residence on Thursday, December 20. Mummy, it really hurts us to see you gone. Life indeed will be different without yo u. Our assurance is that you have gone to be with the Lord. Till we meet to part no more, accept the warmest wishes from your darling husband, Otunba Christopher Adeniyi Badejo, and children, Anthonia Yetunde Badejo, Dr Christopher Adeniyi Badejo (jnr) and Michael Adegbenga Badejo. t #BEFKP XSJUFT GSPN -BHPT