HUNDREDS of people turned out yesterday to pay final respects to the late Naeem Nasir, owner of the Bakewell Bakery and Group of Companies, who died at the age of 50 at the Balwant Singh Hospital in East Street, Georgetown on Tuesday at approximately 23:15hrs. The funeral service, which was conducted at the Merriman Mall in Queenstown, Georgetown, was attended by President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, as well as other Government officials and Opposition Leader David Granger.

In an invited comment to the media, Mr. Ramotar said: “Naeem lived a short life, but he has had a very high quality life, and that is the important thing.”

The Head of State noted that Nasir returned to Guyana and built a very successful business, and in the process created employment for many.

President Ramotar also spoke about Nasir’s humanitarian efforts, stating: “He was extremely generous with giving to the poor and giving to charitable causes…he was very, very generous in that way. I know that he was working on many projects, both business and charitable types of projects.”

President Ramotar said he felt personally grieved at the loss of Nasir, as he had known him personally and had had opportunity of working with him on many occasions.

“I take the opportunity to extend my deepest sympathy to his wife and children, sisters and brothers, and other relatives and friends, on my own behalf and (on) behalf of the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), and on behalf of the Government and the people of Guyana.”

Opposition Leader Granger said the country, as a whole, has lost a very outstanding citizen.
“It’s a great loss; it’s definitely a great loss to the city. I grew up here in Queenstown, not far from where he opened his business. He was a very innovative businessman, and he introduced a new style of baking, I would think, to Georgetown and to Guyana,” Granger remarked.

He, too, acknowledged that Nasir had been a very generous citizen, and said Nasir would be missed by all.
“I think we’ll all miss him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad word said against him by any citizen, high or low. Certainly, in this community here, Queenstown/Alberttown, he was regarded as a stalwart.”

Nasir had been hospitalised for several days, and is said to have died of a brain aneurysm; but he had also suffered from a heart ailment. He was a well-known businessman, who donated millions of dollars annually to various sports, such as cricket and table tennis.