The founder and Chief Executive Officer of NASCO Group, Ahmed Nasreddin, has died, aged 96.
His death was announced on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
The nonagerian businessman had written his name in the memory books of Nigeria’s industrialization and survival of the agricultural sector in Nigeria, through his establishment of NASCO Group in Jos, Plateau State.
The state governor, Simon Lalong, had in his condolence message through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham, on Saturday, described the death of the late industrialist as a huge loss not only to his family and NASCO, but to Plateau people and Nigeria.
He described the deceased as a visionary leader, who established NASCO in Jos in 1963, making it the first jute bag factory in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Lalong said the industrialist established NASCO towards protecting agricultural products from post harvest losses, processing, and export.
“This vision by the late Ahmed Idris Nasreddin saw the company growing from its little beginnings to become a major conglomerate with successful companies in manufacturing, real estate, hospitality and logistics, trading among others.”
Recall that NASCO had in decades of its existence metamorphosed into a home grown brand with a wide array of products and consumables.
Ahmed Idris Nasreddin was born in 1925 to Eritrean parents. Until his death was the Chief Executive Officer of the Nasco Group in Nigeria which reportedly has a net worth of $460 million.
He was said to have been exposed to useful life skills very early in life and also traveled far and wide across all the continents of the world.
Nasreddin graduated from several colleges across the globe and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the American College of Switzerland among his array of academic accomplishments.
He has attended several courses and seminars facilitated in Harvard University.
He also received training in Japanese management through a seminar organized by TEAM Management International Tokyo.
Nasreddin was a recipient of the Rotary Foundation’s Paul Harris Fellow award, in appreciation of his role in the furtherance of global peace.
In 1997, the Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria awarded him a Fellowship for distinguishing himself in the field of Administration.
The prestigious Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) also awarded to Nasreddin, the Leadership Award in Corporate Governance.
Industry groups such as Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) have recognized his commitment towards the welfare of his staff and to community development, and for adopting best practices in the maintenance of environmental friendliness.
The departed industrialist was also honoured by the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund with the Most Valuable Employer Award.
He received the Bankers Company Award in 2003 awarded by the Financial Times of London, whilst the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies gave him recognition for his support to strategic studies in the institute.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in from all works of life to the man, who many described as leaving no stone unturned in the growth of Nigeria’s private sector and industries.
