Planting Seeds for the Future: Giwa Bisi Rodipe’s Legacy
For those considering a birthday gift for Giwa Bisi Rodipe, the best option is to plant a tree. As the founder and chairman of Bisrod Furniture and president of Evergreen Tree Planters, Rodipe has dedicated nearly fifty years to national tree-planting initiatives aimed at safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Since 1984, he has planted over two million trees, encouraging others to join this noble cause. His efforts have attracted participation from notable figures such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ale Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, and various leaders across Nigeria.
A decade ago, during his 70th birthday celebration, Rodipe hosted a national workshop on tree planting, welcoming government officials from all corners of Nigeria to a new forest he established in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Chief Obasanjo not only attended but actively contributed to the initiative, rallying others to participate in planting new trees. This week, as he marked his 80th birthday, Rodipe amplified his campaign, urging Nigerians to safeguard their forests amidst growing concerns that the Sahara Desert is encroaching southward and heightening conflict between farmers and herders, which in turn threatens national security.
Rodipe’s journey is one of relentless innovation. Born on September 4, 1939, in Ijebu Ode, he trained in carpentry at the Yaba Trade Center, graduating in 1961. His quest for opportunity in a newly independent Nigeria led him to Ibadan, where his skills quickly earned recognition at the Western Nigeria Television Station (WNTV), Africa’s first television station.
As a stage prop maker, Rodipe’s creativity set him apart among a vibrant group of young talents at WNTV. He embraced every challenge with courage and ingenuity. Notably, in 1970, when international music icon James Brown visited Nigeria, the organizers sought a furniture manufacturer to create a portable stage for his performances nationwide. Amidst fierce competition from well-established companies, Rodipe’s application secured him this pivotal role, marking the ascension of a future icon.
Over two decades ago, when I first encountered Mr. Rodipe, he was already a prominent figure in the furniture industry, with operations extending beyond Nigeria to Malaysia. His charisma extended into the political realm, where he gained significant support from the people of Ijebu Ode, eventually serving an unprecedented three terms as Chairman of the Ijebu Ode Local Government Council.
In the 1990s, during the struggle against military dictatorship, Rodipe emerged as a key player. Following the annulment of Chief Moshood Abiola’s 1993 presidential election victory, a new wave of political activism ensued. Rodipe was integrally involved in the formation of the Alpha Group, working alongside notable leaders like Chief Bola Ige. Their collective efforts galvanized young activists and elders alike, reinforcing the vibrant resistance against the regime. Even amid the turmoil, Rodipe’s steadfast commitment to progress was unwavering.
With the return of democratic governance in 1999, Rodipe redirected his energy toward tree-planting initiatives, emphasizing the critical role of environmental stewardship. His ongoing efforts have reinforced a painful truth: Nigeria is reckoning with the environmental consequences of past negligence. Lake Chad and other vital ecosystems are shrinking, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices.
Today, at 80, Rodipe continues his lifelong commitment, having overseen the planting of over two million trees. His Ijebu-Ode nursery, capable of producing one million seedlings each year, serves as a training ground for aspiring environmentalists from universities nationwide. As he gathered citizens for his birthday celebration, he poignantly spoke about the environmental degradation threatening future generations.
Lamenting the lost glory of Nigeria’s timber industry, Rodipe pointed to a reliance on imported paper products as a symbol of squandered resources. With economic opportunities diminishing, he cautioned against a future where Nigerian youth seek fortune abroad, risking their lives in pursuit of elusive dreams. It’s a stark reminder of the repercussions of neglecting our environmental responsibilities.
