Success is the accomplishment of an objective, however, in reality, success differs according to one’s interests and goals. To Arc (Dr.) Hassan Olawale Giwa, he derives success from what makes him happy, what gives him contentment and what motivates him to progress in chosen career.
Interestingly, Arc (Dr.) Hassan Olawale Giwa, a phenomenon beyond the political lineage, does not equate success with riches, prosperity, fortune and other mundane things. Rather, he is someone who finds success, joy and happiness by lifting others, which is the motto of his foundation, ‘creating a brighter tomorrow’. This is because he believes success is deeper than what money or other superficial and physical things can acquire.
On January 14, 2023, Ibadan Muslim Community will witness the installation of the new Asiwaju Adini Musulumi of Ibadanland in person of Arc (Dr.) Hassan Olawale Giwa to be conferred by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganniy Agbotomokekere.
What a great achievement to commemorate the birthday of a man whose background, family wise, educational wise and political wise have exposed him to lots in life.
Arc (Dr.) Hassan Olawale Giwa is a talented and result-oriented senior architect with a strong passion and appreciation for designs and details. He holds track records of achievements in managing complex architectural and construction projects, he is experienced and knowledgeable in commercial, residential and public projects and well-versed in sustainable design techniques, applications and construction codes. He has, on several occasions demonstrated his ability to deliver projects within strict time deadlines and budget constraints without sacrificing creativity.
Here is a man, a good and an excellent team-player with laudable leadership skills, a serial entrepreneur, seasoned and enthusiastic educationist.
Arc (Dr.) Hassan Olawale Giwa was born on December 23rd, 1972 to the family of Alhaji Iyanda Giwa and Alhaja Hamdalat Ashakun Giwa in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Nigeria. The young Giwa started his primary education at the popular Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan between 1979 and 1985. Having secured the Primary School Leaving Certificate, he proceeded to Bishop Phillips Academy also in Ibadan for his secondary education, where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate between 1985 and 1991.
Giwa, the illustrious son of Ibadanland and a great indigene of Lagun began his tertiary education at the Federal University of Technology in Minna, Niger State, where he obtained his first degree in Bachelor of Technology in Architecture between 1995 and 2000 and Masters of Technology in Architecture between 2001 and 2002.
Architect Hassan Giwa’s quest for knowledge made him to journey to the United Kingdom (UK), where he attended University of Reading and obtained a Certificate in Intelligent Building Engineering in 2011. He then later proceeded to the United States of America (USA), Baltimore University to obtain a Certificate in Fundamentals of Construction Contracts Understanding the Issue in 2012.
Giwa has also obtained his second Masters degree in Project Management at Federal University of Technology, Minna.
He did not just attend schools, Giwa passed through schools, and participated in every lawful activity certified by the school authority particularly Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN). He held the position of Assistant Public Relations Officer between 1996 and 1997, Chief Public Relations Officer between 1997 and 1998 and Chief Organiser between 1998 and 2000, as well as former Imam, Bishop Phillips Academy between 1989 and 1991.
As an entrepreneur, Arc Hassan Olawale Giwa is a man of many parts; he is a registered, licensed and chartered architect, project manager, auctioneer, educationist, businessman and philanthropist. He has proved his mettle as a shrewd and knowledgeable businessman. He runs Amron Group of Companies, which subsidiaries include Amron Global Services Limited, Skyheights Academy and Educational Centre Limited, Handi Service Limited, Palm Heights Homes and Homebridge Nigeria Limited, as well as Starheights Coat where he manufactures paint.
Architect Giwa holds membership of several professional associations, he is a Chartered, Architectural Registration Council of Nigeria [ARCON], Fellow, Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of Nigeria (IPMA), Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), Member, Real Estate Developers Association (REDA), Member, Project Management Institute (MPMI), Member, Nigerian Environmental Society [MNES], Member, Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria (CIAN), Member, Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) and Member, Nigerian Environmental Society (MNES).
Arc Hassan Giwa has undeniable influence which is felt even more at the grassroots through his Hassan Olawale Giwa (HOG) Foundation which has been touching lives since 2006. He felt the need for a paradigm shift that would balance mortar and bricks with blood and brain.
Hassan Olawale Giwa Foundation (HOG) was established to contribute to the development of mankind and the society at large. It is a vision and mission conceived to create a brighter tomorrow for our teeming youths, widows and aged in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
The mission is to provide assistance to the generality of people through various schemes including Education, Vocational Training, Agricultural support scheme, Youth and Women Empowerment as well as Widows and Aged support scheme. These visions of Hassan Olawale Giwa Foundation, over the years have been actualized through its various outreach programmes.
The Foundation has been supporting education by providing furniture and rehabilitated dilapidated structures in schools. It has been supporting students in terms of provision of uniforms, payment of examination fees for final year students both in primary and secondary levels and distribution of writing materials to aid their education. The Foundation also sponsored candidates for the Common Entrance, WAEC and NECO examinations
In his capacity through the Hassan Olawale Giwa (HOG) Foundation for over the past 17 years, he has been supporting the people in different capacities either in cash or kind. He has been supporting traders and businesses through various free interest loans from his personal pocket without holding any political office. He has been engaging youths in different aspects, employment opportunities, free computer training, barbing, tailoring and other vocational training programmes.
Arc Giwa’s commitment to education and health is second to none. He has renovated schools, provided chairs and tables, as well as given out free exercise books and other writing materials to students. He also provided school uniforms for students both primary and secondary. He organized a free healthcare programme where people were tested, treated on various ailments.
His interest in taking care of aged people and widows is germane. He reaches out to them on a regular basis either in cash or in kind. He is doing this not because he is wealthy but because of his passion for humanity, to wipe off tears from the faces of the have-nots, the less privileged, widows, aged, the brilliant but not privileged students in the society.
Happy birthday to the new Asiwaju Adini Musulumi of Ibadanland, Arc (Dr.) Hassan Olawale Giwa, may the next 50 be even better than the first 50.
Adekunle Gazali is a member of Parrot Media Networks, Publisher of Parrot Xtra Magazine
