Bakewell owner laid to rest

– hailed as good citizen and creative businessman

Hundreds of people turned up on Wednesday to pay their last respects to well-known businessman Naeem Nasir, who passed away late Tuesday night at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital. Nasir, the owner and managing director of Bakewell and chief executive officer of the Nasir and Nasir Co Ltd, had been hospitalised for a serious condition. He passed away around 11:45h on Tuesday, with family members and close friends at his bedside.

President Donald Ramotar said Nasir’s passing is a tremendous loss to Guyana and the business community, at the funeral service for Nasir held at the Merriam Mall opposite the Church Street masjid.
The head of state said while Nasir’s life was short, it was an admirable one, noting his philanthropic inclination. “He was an extremely generous citizen who gave to the poor and needy and charitable causes. He was working on many charitable projects… His loss is a serious blow to us all,” Ramotar stated.
The president said he knew Nasir personally and had the opportunity of working with him on many projects. He recalled that Nasir returned to Guyana some years ago and started his business, creating employment opportunities.
The entrepreneur later expanded the business empire to include the Roti Hut, a delicatessen, and the Rituals coffee shop at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
Opposition Leader David Granger also reiterated that Nasir’s passing is a great loss for the capital city and the private sector. Granger said Nasir was a good citizen and an innovative businessman. “He was a very generous citizen and I think we will all miss him. I don’t think I’ve even heard a bad word said against him by any citizen. Certainly in this community here, he was regarded as a stalwart and I think the country as a whole has lost a very outstanding citizen.”
A perfect
example of humility
Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali said Nasir was a son of the soil, a perfect example of humility, honesty, and kindness. His charitable attributes and outstanding life cannot go unnoticed.
Ali said the Muslim community has lost a leader, motivator, counsellor and a perfect example of Islam. At the time of his death, Nasir was also in the process of constructing a state-of-the-art Masjid at Church Street, Georgetown.
Another of the notable projects in which Nasir was involved was the construction of a soup kitchen. In partnership with the government, he built a kitchen capable of catering for more than 2500 persons daily. The kitchen, which will be commissioned soon, is expected to provide meals for the homeless and the less fortunate. The entrepreneur was also a lover of sports. He donated millions of dollars annually to various sporting disciplines and sporting events.