By Steve Osuji
Shall we call it ‘time and chance’ that I ‘happened’ upon Hakeem Olajuwon a few days ago.
My former boss, a mentor and strong influence, Alhaji Salihu Abubakar Ehimeakhe, had shared beautiful photos and stories about Hakeem.
“Wow, wow, wow,” I replied to his chat, sounding like a sirened car, wondering where he found this gem of a fellow. It happened that he had for years, struck up friendship with Hakeem in Houston, Texas.
On a recent visit, Hakeem had invited Alhaji over for lunch at his expansive ranch and farm settlement.
Alhaji Ehimeakhe, who himself is a well-heeled and sturdy gentleman was truly awed by the breathtaking ranch. It turned out a meeting between a legend and a statesman.
The country home is indeed an enchanting abode (see photos) as reported by Ehimeakhe who is often stoic of disposition and quite unflappable.
For those who may not remember, Alhaji Ehimeakhe had a pace-setting career in Barclays Bank, later named Union Bank. He is highly regarded for his integrity and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Ehimeakhe is perhaps the last of Nigeria’s eminence grise in banking and management.
For Hakeem, the superstar’s story needs no retelling. A member of my generation growing up in beautiful Lagos of the 70s and 80s… schooling and enjoying the great opportunities that came with a strong petro-dollar economy in which Nigeria’s naira was stronger than the US currency.
That was how Hakeem (then known as Akeem), a Surulere boy who attended Muslim Teachers’ College was scouted and shipped to America.
Enrolled in the University of Houston, he was soon to light up the university’s basketball team, the Houston Cougars, with his rare talent.
In the 1984 NBA draft, Houston Rockets was to select Hakeem first overall ahead of Michael Jordan who was selected 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls. That was how electrifying he was for a lad who started playing BB at about 15 years.
Through exceptional work ethic and uncommon discipline, Hakeem led the Rockets to back to back NBA triumphs in the 1994 and 1995 seasons. It’s a measure of his prowess that he was the first player in NBA history to be named Defensive Player of the Year, (1994).
He was also MVP (Most Valuable Player), back to back these glorious seasons leaving in his wake unprecedented honours for the Rockets and a haul of personal records in the annals of basketball in America.
He holds NBA’s all-time record for blocked shots (3830) and he’s the only player to record more than 3000 blocked shots and 2000 steals in a career. In 1994, he became the only player in NBA history to win the MVP, the Championship, the finals MVP and Defensive Player of the year in the same season. It’s exactly 30 years ago today and no other player in NBA history has recorded this string of honours till date.
And can we forget the ‘Dream Shake’? Hakeem’s gift to the NBA; his patented offensive tactic which even great players of today still go to understudy at his feet.
He capped his career with his selection as part of the hay-making, gold-winning US Dream Team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
A great athlete and a pious gentleman, Hakeem was remarkable for observing the Ramadan fast even in the heat of tournaments. And as reported, it never compromised his performance. He is now a senior citizen and a citizen of example. A devout Muslim, he is not afflicted by celebrity syndrome often suffered many stars. Devoted to things of his faith, his public appearances are mainly at Masjid. He dotes on his family and mainly tends to his business these days.
He’s a hard-nosed businessman, having begun investing in real estate while still a player. A quiet philanthropist, he would rather do charity away from the glare of lights. He had of course, lifted his alma mater in Surulere, Lagos, but Hakeem is onto an exponential project in Nigeria with a slant in agric and top range skills development. Though the project has been delayed by bureaucratic red tape for a while, but he has not given up on his dear country, Nigeria, nor on his dream.
Since Hakeem retired 22 years ago, he has remained a model citizen, a universal mentor and the go-to legend for budding basketball stars who trust him for his magic touch on the courts and famed emotional stability.
His NBA-standard court at his remote ranch has become the ultimate clinic for some of the best of hoopers today.
Lastly, it’s good to know that one of Nigeria’s greatest athletes and superstar who once dominated the imagination of America and the world at large, is greying most gracefully and influencing his environment long before social media discovered ‘influencers.
- Steve Osuji, first published this piece on his Facebook Timeline.