By Henry Ojelu

The real memory of a man after he has departed this life, is not in the abundance of the things he had but in the quality of life he lived. While many live and die for riches and fame, others leave footprints of kindness and generosity. Late Chief Abubakar Sadiq Ajisomo Olatunji Alabi popularly known as Lord Rumens may not be around today but the legacies he left behind speaks volumes of his generosity and love for service and humanity.

Born in Oke Ona, Abeokuta, on February 12, 1915, to the family of Alhaji Muktar Alabi Alamutu and Alimotu Sadia Kanleara, Chief Alabi attended Holy Trinity School in Ikereku, Abeokuta from 1930 to 1933. He later moved to Lagos with his parents where he attended the Methodist Boys’ High School.

After spending a total of eight years acquiring training, both practical and theoretical, under United Africa Company Ltd, in 1956 he was invited by the parent company in Paris Compagnie Francaise Des Petroles to join others in establishing Total Oil Nigeria Ltd. He performed this duty so successfully, that after 18 years of service he was further appointed as consultant advisor to the firm, apart from having become a major shareholder.

A noble business tycoon, philanthropist and socialite, Chief Alabi singlehandedly brought the famous Carrara Marble Company Ltd into Nigeria and transformed it into the biggest workshop in Africa.

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The company under his management, sustained the marble requirements of the then Nigerian Building industry. The company provided the marble for 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 cuts across, real estate, oil and gas, construction and farming.

Until his death on November 12, 1998   he was Executive Chairman of 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.

A generous and likeable personality, Chief Alabi 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’.

In the late 1960’s Chief Alabi repeated the same achievement on a condemned and forsaken swamp on Rumens Road, Falomo, lkoyi, transforming it into an estate befitting a metropolis like Lagos, thus earning himselfthe name ‘Lord Rumens’.

Unlike many successful businessmen who didn’t have a life outside business, Chief Alabi loved sports and dedicated his time and resources to developing Lawn Tennis in the country. What the Lagos Lawn Tennis has become today is considered to be a living testimony of his love, dedication and contribution to the game.   After becoming the President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in 1966, he repeatedly 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 has been held in his honor.

Chief Alabi by all means, was a man of many parts. For his surviving children, George, Subuola, Babatunde, Awujoola, Oluwakemi, Opeyemi   he was that compassionate, loving, dotting and discipline father who never spared the rod. His sermon on the dinning table for them 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 opportune to meet him, had good tales to tell.

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In a world   where true selfless service and genuine love for mankind is increasingly scarce, Late Chief Alabi truly deserves praise and admiration.