I write with tears rolling down uncontrollably! I learnt of his death only 2 days ago at Mega Plaza from a sales agent of Telnet. The news was a rude shock! And still is.

I met Dr Carew at a cocktail reception organized by one of the High Commissions in 2003. He stood out in his impeccable white shirt, bow tie and a dark fitted suit. His infectious laughter that roared in the air drew my attention to him. I spent most of my time at the reception talking with him. We had one thing in common 'our twin girls'  it was like we had met before that evening. He proudly spoke about his family. (his twin girls, his son and wife).

He was always full of laughter and in high spirit. Very objective and assertive. Fun loving too.

Very principled man and will not cut corners. My sister only got a job in Telnet based on her credentials and brilliant performance at the interview and not my friendship with him.

He went out of his way helping people. Very intelligent and pleasant. Very versatile. Encouraged me in so many ways.

Last time I saw him was at the Eko Hotel and Suites over dinner with some friends by the pool side in 2011. I kept meaning to call him but never got round to doing so until 2 days ago when I was in the process of calling him and received the news of his passing away.

What more can I say? He will forever be missed. 

Sleep on my mentor and friend!

Dr Carew

He didn’t want anything! Nothing seemed to matter to him, but achieving, success, making a difference, and to prove a point to himself and no one else!

Once in his in office at Engineering close, while sorting some documents, I thought aloud and asked "why" in return he asked looking perplexed and wondering at the question. Immediately I became afraid, but seeing my fear he gently asked in return “WHY WHAT''

I seized the rare moment and asked him all the questions that looong buzzed my head.

Why are you so frugal? Where are you from? Why do you think all the time? Why do you look into trash cans? Why do you have the values you do? Why do you cut 'gorimapa!

He stopped me by raising his hand with a smile, removing his glasses and requested that I sit down, he sensed my genuine curiosity. I couldn’t hold back and he knew I had the best intentions. Then he began to answer my questions one at a time, with that vintage seriousness we knew him for when he wants to get through to us.

When he was done, my eyes shone, my heart filled with unspeakable amazement and admiration, which I could only share with my father back then. That day my father and I talked about him and Dr. Nadu Deneloye far into the night.

Finally, with his trade mark laughter he rubbed his head and to my last question he said, "fresh air is good" as I made to leave, he added ‘feel free to come around and always ask questions’ that was 1992

His door is always open! Next I went to discuss, how bored I was with my work. To my surprise he stood and closed the door! He asked what do you thinking you want to do. Then I thought, wow! am in real trouble this time. So with all I got, I proceeded with determination to lecture the DR on  how ‘Marketing Telnet services” would be interesting and increase patronage blah blah blah, he listened with rapt attention, some amusement and smiled in the end.

Nodding his head he said…it will come, but you must be patient, we will get there.

He went on annual leave and I wasn’t patient. That was 1993.

Finally, at Kofo Abayomi, I met him on his way out, he stopped me in my track, with pain and concern itched on his brows, he said “I heard so and so, is it true, before I could answer, shaking his head he responded: I don’t believe it, okay, what happened? Wide eyed I only mutter “I can explain” but he was in a hurry. It will be the last time I neither spoke nor saw him. That was 2003.

These encounters, changed the way I look at life and Dr. Carew, from then on I looked forward to listening to him.

Regularly I look up the internet for what’s up with the “DRs” and the crew.

The values I learnt from him have taken me places and round the world. Most recently working in Haiti, I got the opportunity to talk about his values and success. That was 2013.

Thank you for coming our way and sharing your life with us all. RIP

My first encounter with real Africa was in 1982, a trip to Monrovia and Buchanan in Liberia as a young HR Manager of Swedtel, the international branch of Telia, Sweden.

I was fascinated immediately by people, environment and tropical nature. A few years later I went on a long term training mission to Lesotho Telecoms.

Having returned to Swedtel´s HO after my years in Southern Africa, I remember to be called to meet with someone from Nigeria I believe in 1988/89. It was my very first meeting with Dr Burian Carew, being the MD of Telnet Nigeria, outlining the business opportunity to bid for the O/M of SPDC´s backbone and spur network. I found Burian to be:

•         Soft spoken, polite, immaculate in dress and manner with a clean shaven head which at this time was very unusual and not fashion like today in South Africa

•         Constructive, pragmatic and convincing in argumentation

•         Unbending, positive and always optimistic

Being the HR and Recruitment Manager, you might ask why I was involved in discussing an operational business venture in Nigeria? But that was the charm with Swedtel at that time; within the executive mgmt. we could take on various challenges outside of our normal portfolio, because we were a small company. This is why we found such mutual understanding and relationship with Telnet, a young, enthusiastic and professional entity in the untouched telecom market of Nigeria.

I think very early found a soul mate in Burian, maybe because we both are low-key and patient and listening. I always felt at ease being in his company, whatever obstacles and situations we were facing. And we did spend a lot of time traveling together mainly to and from Port Harcourt and Warri either by jeep or car or by air. I guess Warri has another airstrip today and not the one in the middle of the town and the booms had to be lowered for the motor traffic on start and landing.

Maybe the most memorable moments were the bid situations for Nitel and the cooperation with Korea Telecom, particularly the live financial bidding sequences following the first qualification of the bidding consortia. Then I saw the strain and the seriousness of the consequences of the result in Burian´s face. Maybe for the first time he was really worried and concerned with the future of Telnet.

Nigeria was not a great brand name in Europe in the 90s and the Swedish government tried to promote business with Nigerian market. I spoke several times of the importance of having the right local partner, particularly in Nigeria. I spoke of my experience and appreciation of my brother Burian and sister Nadu, leading our partner Telnet, ensuring that local politics and governance could be controlled to allow business to be performed.

I keep my memories of my brother Burian in my heart and I feel privileged to have known him as a friend and brother.

I salute and bless the memory of Burian Carew, may your soul rest in peace in the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

I still recall our first conversation in Telnet ,I was amazed at your simplicity and warmth. You where not the average Nigerian CEO.You where in a different class...an amiable mogul.The seeds of entrepreneurship for me personally where planted in Telnet.You showed us how to do it with class and professionalism.Telnet was and is an institution where great techno-entrepreneurs where molded.That was your legacy . Adieu Great Man.