Tribute to Bart Nnaji at 70: Engineering Prowess and Personal Reflections

This birthday tribute attempts to capture the essence of Bart Nnaji as he celebrates his 70th birthday, an occasion marked by Nigerians and foreigners alike in Enugu.

Nnaji is lauded not only for his significant attainments in global engineering research but also for his recent success in restoring electricity to nine local government areas in Abia State. This achievement, realized after nearly two decades of obstacles, positions him as a figure worthy of historical recognition. The author emphasizes Nnaji's caring, humane, generous, and egalitarian nature, qualities that set him apart.

To illustrate Nnaji's grounded nature, the author recounts personal memories from the early 1990s. Despite holding a senior academic position as a distinguished engineering professor in the United States, Nnaji would engage in lively social activities like dancing at Lagos's Night Shift club upon returning. Yet, he remained dedicated to his work, often catching the earliest flights to meetings across Nigeria.

One anecdote from 1993 recounts Nnaji's near-miss with a hijacked plane. The author had advised Nnaji against taking the first flight to Abuja, suggesting a later one. This proved providential, as the earlier Nigeria Airways flight was hijacked and diverted to Niger Republic. Nnaji's trust in the author's sense of time had been shaken by a previous incident, making this saved journey particularly significant.