Engineer Nasir Giwa In the Eyes of History by Kamoru Sodiq

Without prejudice to the efforts and impacts of countless great minds past and present who have imprinted their names on the sand of time. I make bold to say that some rank better than the others. The reason is simple. While some influence their own generation, some indeed, invest in the generation to come which is the youths.

Our late sage, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo remained unparalleled in our history due to his magical free education policy he successfully launched and implemented between 1952 to 1959 in the Western region which liberated the youths and unleashed their potentials for personal, professional and national development. This accomplishment has never aged. It is as constant as a Northern star in honour of the late sage.

It is on record that, people at different time and space has a culture of celebrating the good ones among them. The British idolize Winston Churchill and Lloyd George; their two great wartime leaders. The Ghanian celebrate Kwam Nkrumah and J.J. Rawlings (Junior Jesus). Indians venerate Mahatma Ghandi. Americans adore George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. South Africans will always roll out drums to sing the name of Nelson Mandela. Examples abound.

In my opinion, my contention is that some good ones among us are deserving to sing their praise. One, to encourage them and two, to encourage good qualities in the society. It is on this note I will disagree with the iconic Ghanian novelist, Ayi Kwei Arma who said in his book published in 1968 that "The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born". The fact is, we have so many beautiful ones around us and one of the finest and toppers among them is Engr Nasrud-deen Omosanmi Giwa.

He is a thoroughbred professional and successful family man. He is an Engineer by training and a community builder by choice. He always wears his delightful and cheerful face no matter the situation. He has zest for life and good living. In my estimation, I found him genuine and a repository of values. He has penchant for mentoring and moulding youths for career and personal growth. It is this quality that has stood him apart from his peers and there is no way you will know Engr Giwa without admiring this great gift in him. He has successfully and overwhelmingly mentored so many people and he is not stopping.

Candidly, it is no brainer to say that our society today has been decimated and plagued with repressive and repulsive forces on all fronts. We are facing unprecedented instability in our mental, social and political life. In the midst of this, the youths are the greatest victims and that is why they are on free fall when it comes to capital and social currency. You will agree with me that the youths are the most disgruntled, frustrated and wasted resources in our society today.

With all humility, Engr Nasir Giwa trudges on where many falter by the way. He has crossed the Rubicon and he never looked back. He is a messiah who craves a better society through mentorship, networking and creating opportunities for the youths. The Nasir Giwa Mentorship (NGM) platform is a pointer to this claim from a man of pure heart and excellent intentions.

The adage that the heart of sociality of a man is in his education is his watchword. His unadulterated passion for academic excellence is both outstanding and electrifying. In fact, last year, one of his mentees in person of Rahmah Arogundade was the overall best graduating student (BGS) with a perfect CGPA of 5.0 from faculty of Engineering, Bell University, Ota, Ogun state.

By far, the best way to measure Engr Nasir Giwa legacy is the birth of Nasir Giwa Mentorship (NGM) conference last year which has been mainstreamed as an annual event now. The event has become a viable and organic gathering to network, advance and distill problems facing the youths and proffer tested and well processed solutions to those challenges.

Last week, Saturday November 25, 2023 at Zone Tech Park, Gbagada, Lagos witnessed another epoch making history for all the participants tagged; Solving Tomorrow's Problem Today, Empowering the Next Generation of Solution Seekers. Captains of industries, power brokers and many big names in the boardroom flocked to give the conference a torch of elegance. 

Personalities including but not limited to, His Royal Highness, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu,  Mr. Olajide Moshood; Managing Director (MD), Ardoval Plc, Mr. Razaq Ahmed; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CowryWise, Mrs Azeezah Muse-Sadiq; Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I), Mrs Kafilat Araoye; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lotus Bank, Mr. Eric Idiah; Managing Director (MD), Eleva Group who made a gold sponsorship of one million naira (#1m) to the event and host of others.

I was privilege to be part of the event and one of the major thing that struck me was the testimonial given by Oba (Professor) Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu Kingdom about Engineer Nasir Giwa while he was extolling his sterling qualities and the imperativeness of soft skills like emotional intelligence, good interpersonal relationships etc. He said pointedly, at some stage in my career, I was very envious of this man (Engr Nasir Giwa) that I started studying him and took him as my unofficial mentor to grow my soft skills. This is a takeaway lesson that mentorship is not only exclusive to the youths but to people of different age and aspirations.

Some people make history. Some people live history. I know as a fact that Engr Nasir Giwa is living history. His legacy and impacts on youths will continue to speak for him before man and God.  His good name shall reach over the land and sea. His good heart shall remain a cornerstone for those who aspire greatness. Time shall remember him for good. Generations shall gather to celebrate him. I pray and hope history will forever be kind to this altruistic and beautiful Nigerian.

By: Kamoru Sodiq

kamorusodiq03@gmail.com

November 29, 2023