By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Alli-Balogun Dynasty of Lagos will today launch the Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation and also hold a 90th Anniversary Special Prayers session to celebrate the passage of their Progenitor, Sheik Aliu Makanjuola Alli-Balogun popularly known as Alli Oloko who died on July 13, 1933 at the age of 103 years.
The celebration of life and times of this legend whose wealth traversed generations will hold today (Thursday) at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos. Time is 11am.
According to a joint statement signed by the great great grandchildren of the business magnate, renowned lslamic Scholar and philanthropist, Alhaja (Mrs.) Lateefah Yoyinsola Aderemi- Makanjuola (lya Adinni of Alli Oloko Wasinmi Mosque) and Dr. Gbolahan Alli-Balogun, the launch of the Foundation and the 90th anniversary remembrance became imperative to continue to honour the legacy of a man whose name has continued to resonate in Lagos and beyond, having touched so many lives in his life time, even after 90 years of his transition.
The statement noted that the Alli-Balogun Residuary Trust Fund is being rebranded as the Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation; drawing from his life of service and philanthropy; and by extension reflecting his passion and reflexes on societal matters.
In effect, the Foundation will focus on three interventions, namely: Education, Community Service and Inter-Religious Harmony.
Aside, the Foundation will also organise an Annual Memorial Lecture to be led by Scholars of national and international recognition.
Reputed to be one of the wealthiest Lagosians of his era, the legendary Alli-Balogun was also deeply religious. His Mosque, Alli-Oloko Wasinmi Mosque, a stone throw from the Central Mosque on Victoria Street, now Nnamdi Azikiwe Street on Lagos lsland, considered a Lagos monument, is an architectural masterpiece, built at a cost of £10,000; which he commissioned in 1925; and handed out to the Lagos Community, is still standing tall having stood the test of time.
Alli-Balogun also channeled his immense resources in supporting the Lagos Central Mosque as well as other Mosques in Lagos and Ejirin. He, equally, funded native institutions like the Glover Memorial Hall, the Industrial and Commercial Bank, the Young Ansar-Ud-Deen Schools and many others.
