Living Legend Award Presented to Local Elder

Courtesy livinglegendsawards.org

Dr. Kolade Alabi, a retired chemist from Lincoln, Nebraska, and member of the Allon Chapel Church, was given the Living Legend Award for Service to Humanity at the 14th annual awards program at the Emmanuel Brinklow Adventist Church in Maryland earlier this year. Dr. Alabi and four other recipients were flown to the event where they were given first-class treatment.

Dr. Alabi was honored for his years of volunteer service to his community in various capacities. Most of his contributions to the community have come about as the result of ministries he established through his church, Allon Chapel.

Dr. Alabi leads out in prison ministries, where he not only reaches out to incarcerated men and women during their confinement, but also provides support post-release to assist them in re-integrating into society and making a better life for themselves. He also oversees the operation of a Foodnet distribution site; established and manages a computer lab specifically designed to help immigrants learn computer skills and improve their English proficiency; and has organized health fairs to educate and assist the community in maintaining healthy bodies as a way of preventing diseases.

Dr. Alabi lived with his family in Nigeria before coming to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to earn a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry and computer science, which he completed in 1977. He then went on to earn a certificate in industrial management in 1980. His pursuit of higher learning continued and he obtained a master’s of science degree in analytical chemistry in 1981. His terminal degree is a Ph.D. in soil science, agronomy, which he earned in 1983. Dr. Alabi devoted 34 years of service to his career before retiring in 2011.

About the award

The Living Legends Award for Service to Humanity Annual Ceremony focuses on providing funding for humanitarian causes; encouraging young people to become humanitarians; bringing public awareness to the work of lifelong humanitarians; and leveraging the power of the arts to inspire all to serve humanity. The event recognizes the work of prolific and influential humanitarians, features performances by world-renowned musical artists and composers, and includes highlights from the Brinklow Humanitarian MicroGrant recipients.

Hugh Davis is digital media manager for the Mid-America Union Conference.

Learn more about the Living Legends Award program at livinglegendsawards.org.

Watch this year’s event at emmanuelbrinklow. yourstreamlive.com (Alabi’s section begins at 1:58:37).