Abdul Giwa-Osagie

Abdul Ramoni Giwa-Osagie was born in Benin City, Edo State on July 20, 1953 to the late Alhaji Dauda Giwa-Osagie and Mrs. Comfort Giwa-Osagie of the Great Benin Kingdom. Abdul attended Eghosa Anglican Grammar School for his primary education, graduating with honors in 1975. After graduating from high school, he worked for the Rural Electricity Board in Bendel State until 1977. He then headed to Oslo, Norway where he attended the Oslo Maritime School and graduated as an engineer in 1982, earning his Norwegian Maritime Authority Engineer Officer Class IV certification. Abdul returned home to Nigeria for a brief period of time after the death of his father and worked for the oil company entitled Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Delta State. After working for a few years he left for London, England where he lived for two years prior to leaving for the United States in 1986. In 1986, Abdul worked as a cook for the Beverly Hills Cafe in Miami, FL while earning his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Miami Dade Community College in 1991. He later went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University in 1993 while simultaneously being inducted as a member of the National Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society in 1992. In 1995, Abdul went on to graduate with his Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the College of Urban and Public Affairs from Florida International University. After graduating in 1995, Abdul landed a job as a Correctional Officer for the Florida Department of Corrections and was quickly promoted to the role of Probation and Parole Office for the Opa Locka Community Correctional Center. While working as a Probation and Parole Officer, Abdul began his journey in Public Administration by enrolling in the PhD program at NOVA Southeastern University, where he completed all of his doctoral credits. He went on to begin a successful career with the Social Security Administration as a Claims Representative in 1998. Abdul received multiple promotions within the fifteen years that he worked for the agency. His last position with the agency was in the Office of Hearings and Appeals Operations division, where he held the title of Paralegal Specialist until he retired in 2016. In all aspects of Abdul’s education and work history, he strived for perfection and excellence which was evidenced by his multitude of accolades and awards; his ambition and drive were the epitome of excellence. In addition to being an intellect and hard worker, Abdul loved music, dancing, traveling, socializing, cooking, swimming, but most importantly he loved his family and friends. In 1988, Abdul met the love of his life Donna in Brooklyn, NY through mutual friends and on August 8, 1988, they began their life together in Miami, FL. They enjoyed traveling together, entertaining family and friends, raising their daughters Halima and Katie, and spending time with their grandchildren. Abdul’s love for his children and grandchildren was evident, and the bond “Daddy”, “Grandpa”, “Papa”, “Pops” had with each of his children and grandchildren was special. Abdul is also the oldest surviving sibling of his late father which made him the father figure for many of his siblings; his passing for them is like losing a parent. Abdul’s infectious smile, his confidence, his mind, his political debates, captivated any room and made him the life of any party. He will truly be missed by so many. Abdul is survived by his wife Donna Giwa-Osagie (nee Davis), his daughter Sandra Ramona Jørgensenen, son Daniel Lindberg, daughter Halima Walker (Justin), daughter Katie Giwa-Osagie, daughter Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, grandson Cory Michael Pannell Jr., granddaughter Isabella Ramona Jørgensenen, granddaughter Cora Elizabeth Orobosa Walker, granddaughter Kennedy Lynn Isiwa Henderson, grandson Lukas Jørgensenen, grandson Phillip Lindberg, granddaughter Monica Michelle Lindberg, grandson Kingston James Osatohanmwen Alexander. Siblings Tokunbo Nwosu (Nigeria), Yesuf Giwa-Osagie (New York), Sidi Ogele (South Carolina), Barrister Moshidi Giwa-Osagie (Canada), Sikira Giwa-Osagie (London), Pastor Anofi Giwa-Osagie (Ireland), Sheri Giwa-Osagie (Nigeria), Ayisatu Ohiku (Candada), Rufai Giwa-Osagie (Canada), Rafatu Amayo (Nigeria), Jani Ocar (Italy), Fatima Ozor (Virginia), Hauwa Christen (Switzerland), Faruk Giwa-Osagie (Ireland), Tajudeen Giwa-Osagie (Holland), Nurudeen Giwa-Osagie (Holland), Dr. Nosa Giwa-Osagie (Nigeria), Jaratu Giwa-Osagie (California), Salamontu Giwa-Osagie (Nigeria), Barrister Akeem Giwa-Osagie (Nigeria), Yakubu Giwa-Osagie (Holland), Abrahim Giwa-Osagie (Nigeria), Rissi Emmanuel (Nigeria), and Barrister Lateef Giwa-Osagie (Nigeria). Abdul also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and hosts of other family and friends. Abdul is predeceased by his father the late Alhaji Dauda Giwa-Osagie, his mother Mrs. Comfort Giwa-Osagie, his stepson Cory Michael Pannell Sr, his brother Teslime Giwa-Osagie, Jimoh Giwa-Osagie and Abdul Rhasak Giwa-Osagie.