In Memory of Old Novaportan Alfa Sa'adu 1952-2020

Alfa was the son of Nigeria’s minister of agriculture before the revolution of the early sixties and attended Adams from 1963 to 1970 as a boarder. He went on to study medicine at University College London’s medical school, graduating in 1976, and had a longstanding career in North West London as Medical Director at Ealing Hospital and later Deputy Medical Director at the London North West University NHS Trust. He was also a member of the North West London Clinical Board. 

Despite retiring in 2016, Alfa remained determined to help and treat patients as much as possible by working part-time at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. He sadly died on 31st March 2020 of coronavirus after a two week fight against the virus. 

Tributes have been paid by numerous health professionals Alfa worked with, all commenting on his gentle listening style, empathy and dedication to patients and his gentle character as he led the clinical leadership at Ealing and wider through change.

Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the former president of the Nigerian senate, also paid a special tribute, saying: "Late Dr Sa’adu provided leadership for our people in the diaspora as he served for many years as chairman, Kwara State Association of Nigeria (Kwasang UK). Back at home, he was a community leader and traditional office holder as Galadima of Pategi. He will be sorely missed."

Alfa is also remembered fondly by his old school friends, many of who responded to the news with great sadness, sharing their own memories of Alfa (please see below). He is remembered as a very talented and passionate man who cared about saving people.

Dr Alf Sa'adu leaves behind a wife and two sons and we offer our sincere condolences to all of his family and friends. 

School Friend Memories

ON David Scott 

"Alfa was a stalwart friend for more than 50 years and always key to my life.  We were contemporaries at school and boarders in the same House, Adams House. We played rugby together for House, School and County and he was an exceptional player of great skill, strength and intelligence, playing for the 1st XV in his 4th Year. We went to university together, he to UCH and I to UCL and stayed in touch thereafter. I attended his wedding to Diane on 7th July 1977 (7.7.77), as did one or two other alumni. He was godfather to my second son and I last spoke to him on the phone in January this year, just after he and his wife Diane returned from a trip to Africa. 

"Even though we haven’t seen that much of each other, our occasional phone calls and meetings were always full of comradeship and love. He had an exemplary career as a clinician, consultant and medical director at various NHS hospitals in London as well as serving his country of origin, Nigeria, both as a doctor and a community leader. He had recently retired but had returned to work part time, volunteering to help in the response to the pandemic before succumbing to Covid 19. As another friend of mine put it, "What a sacrifice your friend made, so brave.""

ON John Houlston 

"It is very sad news. Alfa was a year below me and well-liked by everyone. A genuine character and good sportsman. Back in those days in the mid-60s he was a bit of a rarity as the school wasn’t as multi-cultural as it is now. With him you didn’t see the colour of the skin, just the person. A man with a very interesting story. A great loss and my thoughts go out to your family. RIP old mate."

ON Philip Houlston

"I remember when Alfa arrived at Adams’. As my brother has said, things were very different in those far off days. If my memory serves me well, Alfa was the son of a Nigerian chief and diplomat. He was a great lad and I never saw him without a broad smile on his face. RIP Alfa, you were a great chap."

ON John Russell

"He was a great guy, a couple of years above me but a good sportsman and a genuinely nice guy.  He was good at all sports and a good swimmer.  I remember him diving in the school competition - very impressive."

ON David Wassell

"I remember Alf, as he was known, when I started at Adams’ in 1970. He commanded tremendous respect and admiration. He must have been in his last year in 1970. What a wonderful man with such awe-inspiring dedication."

ON Jan Cooper

"Very sad news, my husband Simon Cooper was a few years younger but remembers Alf’s all-round sporting skills, particularly swimming, or rather diving, and rugby. A very well liked young man by all fellow pupils."

ON Ian Broadhurst

"He was a great person. I got to know him very well though our sporting activities; he was a gent. Very very sad, RIP Alf you will be missed."

ON Nigel Williams 

"Without exception we all remember him fondly but our memories go beyond that.
 
"We reflect now that he was the only black boy in a Shropshire boarding school in the mid 1960’s but it never occurred to us at the time. He was simply one of the boys and 50 years later we are now reminded that the same guy who, without knowing it all those years ago, left an impression on us and has done so again by giving his life to save others. 
 
"It is only now that we reflect on what meeting or knowing Alf actually meant but there is no doubt that he was a great man and we send our wishes to all his family, friends and colleagues as we look to find our own inspiration from his life. 
 
"We’ll be clapping him at 8.00pm this evening and every time we celebrate those who are working selflessly to save our lives." 

ON Peter Bostock - Adams Housemaster

"Alfa was an amazing student, immensely talented both academically and on the sports field. My abiding memory of Alfa is of him, rugby ball in hand, making a dazzling break as a centre.  He was a great individual, always with a smile on his face. Of all the students I had the pleasure of teaching, he would be right at the top. A very upsetting piece of news."

ON Ray Robinson

"He was very popular with everyone. He was a charismatic boy who was, enviably, as accomplished in academic subjects as he was in athletics (he played rugby for the school if memory serves). He was well-liked by both classmates and teachers."

ON Richard Burge

"A wonderful man. He was in the Upper Sixth when I was a First Former and  took me to London to get the military plane to Germany at the end of my first term. Great rugby player."

ON John Davies

"Alf was four years my senior but a memorable presence loved and respected by all. His athletic feats earnt him great kudos - he was the Long Jump champion and I think, school record holder. He was also a formidable member of a very successful First XV. Other contemporaries of mine who have learned of his death are upset at the news. Although we have not seen him in more than forty years, he has remained for us a vivid presence."