By Ayantunde Ayangbayi
In the equation of life, other variables can change, but time remains eternally constant. This is one of the reasons it is important to be conscious of our time; how we spend it, and what will be remembered of us when we finally take the inevitable flight of death into eternity.
This is the philosophy that inspired the noble postulation of Williams James, American philosopher and a historian, that the great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.
Birthdays anniversaries are opportunities, not only to mark time as the unit of life, but windows of introspection to x-ray whether we are truly living or merely existing.
In order to make the world a better place, while we urge people to live a life of impact, we are morally obligated to celebrate those already living in that realm of positive legacies—entrenching indelible footprints on the sands of time. And elevate them to olympian height where they will be torchbearers for those coming behind.
Engr. AbdulRahman Giwa, FNSE, is an exemplar of this ideology; an humanity personified cum philanthropist, using his legacies to engrave his name with gold on the path of life.
The date of birth of this great man is very symbolic.Every 12th day of March is a special day to our birthday boy as he turns 62 years in his earthly journey, today.
The Spiritual significance of 62 years which relates to faith and fortune, is a blend of energies and qualities of spiritual awakening, enlightenment, confidence, inspiration, growth, expansion, principles of increase, encouragement, harmony, discernment, inner-wisdom and inner-knowing, determination, and persistence of purpose, understanding, and perfection.
His life story is unequivocally likened to determination, competence, competitive intelligence, hard-work, fear of God, resilience, loyalty and excellence. He was brought up in a strict Muslim family.
After his plrimary education, the cerebral Giwa attended Government Secondary School, Ilorin and pass with a flying color. He studied Civil Engineering at the Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin, after which he proceeded to Kessighton University in the United States of America, where he bagged MBA in Marketing in 1996.
In 2010, he bagged another Masters Degree in Public Administration from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho in Oyo State.
Engr. Abdulrahman Giwa an avowal man of integrity, nation builder, and planning guru with vast engineering mindset. He oversees a conglomerate of businesses that is into merchandizing, contracts and supplies, rentals and sachet water businesses, under Dammy Ralph Nig. Ltd., which also engages in Civil and electrical constructions.
The company handled the construction of dedicated 2MVA feeder to University of Ilorin from 132/33 KVA, Ganmo transmission sub-station in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He parades an intimidating curriculum vitae with a worthy character, described in various quarters as an anchor of hope that builds bridges across the divide.
He has built a formidable professional experience spanning over two decades in both public and private practice.In community service, Engr. Abdulrahman Giwa has made a niche for himself, living an amazing lifestyle with a kindhearted feelings for the downtrodeen and needy, giving values to the less privileged and half-nots in the society with a caring heart to alleviate their sufferings.
Engr. Giwa, a business mogue without micing words radiates warmth, love and grace to his fellow human-being is regarded by many as a pleasant character, and loved as a simple creation in the hands of the Almighty God.
Engr. Abdulrahman Giwa is a proven trustworthy politician whose antecedent affirmed that each time he was given any assignment, he followed it to the latter.
The Executive Governor of Kwara State who also doubles as Sardauna Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, Mall. Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, CON, once described him thus:
“Engr. Abdulrahman Giwa is very forthright and tenacious with whatever job or anything is doing, he feel free and most times is always right in his submissions on matters of public importance and share values. He is a highly committed loyalist with deep sense of commitment to honesty”.
Similarly , the Mutaliwa of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi Abdulrasaq as this to say about the celebrant :
“he is a key player in the crusade to play politics in a fundamental and selfless way to bring progress and development to our people. In doing so he is loyal, honest and focused.”
Ditto, a legal practioner who also doubles as the celebrant’s wife, Barr. Sherifat Abiola Abdulrahman Giwa, has this to say about her hubby.
“my husband, gentleman of honour with sheer doggedness of character and performance will continue to be relevant in the scheme of things Insha Allah Amin. I wish him continued good health, longer life, more happy days and sound mind with more successes in all his undertakings, he deserves to be celebrated”.
A very reliable and trustworthy person of high integrity with sense of loyalty. Engr. Giwa is a philanthropist of exceptional calling with golden character. His passionate for development in general, is matchless as exemplified in his service to the community through several donations, assistance, job creations to several people, institutions, mosques, community self-help projects.
He has remarkably served as an agent of development in his ward, local government and community in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State.
What really compel me to write this piece on Engr. Abdulrahman Giwa is to appreciate his resilience, loyalty and excellence to APC led administration in Kwara State particularly to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, CON, Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the Sarduana of Ilorin Emirate that despite the fact that he has not been compensated with any juicy appointment/contract(s) he remained constant and loyal like the northern star with his principal and brother – Mr. Governor.
This his noble attitude affirmed to the truer in the statement that, loyalty is a place where friendships blossom and bonds strengthen. Loyalty builds bridges that connects us to something greater than ourselves. Loyalty is important because it establishes an emotional commitment and strengthens relationships, particularly when life gets difficult. Engr..Giwa has undoubtedly epitomize a trait of a real friend who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
Engr. Abdulrahman Giwa is a well travelled Nigerian and compassionate family man with a manifest devotion to families and friends. He is a news and home maker, sports lovers with penchant for dressing well without colour riot.
An avid art collector, whose hobbies are reading, meeting people, exchange of ideas, a stickler for excellence, he is a jolly good fellow, whose life story is a lesson on how determination, competitive intelligence, hard work and enviable character can make one triumph over any kind of limitation.
Many happy returns of the day to you Sir.
Ayangbayi, JP is a journalist/Media Consultant based in Ilorin, Kwara State.
