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The family ABAZA is one of the greatest and most
respected families not only in EGYPT or in the Middle East but in the whole
world. In EGYPT, The ABAZA Family's history is rich with public figures:
writers, such as Fikri Pasha ABAZA & Tharwat ABAZA, also politicians, such as
Maher ABAZA - Ex-Minister of Electricity, and Amin ABAZA - Current minister of
agriculture. One of the most prominent public figures however, is the patriotic
politician & family business founder Wagih ABAZA.
Wagih ABAZA was born in 1917 in El Sharkia Governorate.
He graduated from the Air Force College in 1939 where after he became one of the
free officers in 1940. 1950 - 1952 ABAZA was in charge of the commandos against
the British. He was one of the free officers in the 1952 revolution. In 1956 he
became a member of the parliament. In 1960 he was appointed as Beheira Governor,
then Governor of El Gharbeya 1968, and finally, Governor of Cairo in 1970 .
In 1976 ABAZA established his company: the Centre of
Development & Commerce Wagih ABAZA (CDC). ABAZA became the sole agent for
Peugeot Automobiles in Egypt. Importing Peugeot cars such as 104, 204, 205, 304,
305, 306, 504, 505, and 605 turned out to be a great success. ABAZA 's ambition
did not just stop at this stage, for he had a deeper vision; assembling cars in
Egypt to fit the Egyptian economy and add to the competitiveness of his company
in the car market. Thus, he submitted the project of assembling cars in Egypt in
1979.It was not until 1993 that the approval was granted. In 1994 the first
Peugeot car, the 405, was out in the market and leading the way for all
assembled cars to come.
“Wagih Abaza was
one of those individuals that are able to make of themselves a model in this
vital human sense.”
MOHAMMED HASSANEIN HEIKAL -
Historian, Political Commentator
“Wagih Abaza flourishes with every job he performs, and
everything comes to life at his touch.
He would then add, He's not one to create problems;
whenever I throw him into the sea, he makes his way to the shore and awaits me
there, without complaining.”
MOHAMMED HASSANEIN HEIKAL, Quoting
the late president GAMAL ABD EL NASSER
“He was one of the few people that
were able to shoulder the burden of hard work and long nights required to bring
the conference to a satisfactory conclusion.
Wagih Abaza was a real example of the farsighted and
straightforward manager, who had the ability to cut through administrative red –
tape. That was how Wagih worked.
In everything he did, he excelled.
In short, Wagih Abaza was a rare example of the man
that is at once sincere, efficient intelligent, innovative, and persevering. He
was both a leader and a pioneer. He could have been appointed to any senior
official post and been successful.”
KAMAL EL DIN HUSSEIN - Free Officer,
former Vice. President
“Wagih Abaza lived a turbulent but clean life in
politics, administration and the economy for half a century after that, and his
death ended a chapter of Egyptian history.”
Dr. ABD EL AZIM RAMADAN - Historian
“Wagih Abaza, the legend of
nationalism”
Abd el Rahman Fahmi - Journalist, al
Gomhuria
“There is so much to analyze in his
life and his career, in his courage and innovation, especially in the Armed
Forces, in the media and local government, and his personal projects. Everywhere
he excelled.”
Abd el Latif Fayed
“When he tired of public work, or it
tired him, in 1971 , he moved into business and set up the Wagih Abaza Centre
for Commerce and Development to run commercial activity directed at service to
his country. In both cases he gave himself wholeheartedly to Egypt. May God
bless the revolutionary Wagih Abaza, who was a man in the time of men.”
Ali Ayad
“Egyptians always say that he was the
most successful Governor of Cairo and many confirm this even if they have no
link with him at all. His memory in Tanta is also regarded with love and
esteem.”
Ahmed Abu el Fath
- Former E DITOR, AL Masri, Writer
“He was successful in everything he
did because he was a beacon of vigour and vitality, and blessed with an
attractive and bright personality.”
Ahmed Hamroush - President, Afro –
Asian Solidarity Organization
Wagih Abaza showed the ability of a son of the Nile to
battle for Egypt in every position he held.
“After his withdrawal from public affairs, Wagih Abaza
did not stint in his generosity to Egypt but rather plunged into the world of
commerce, where he left agreat commercial empire behind him as proof of the
generosity of a son of the Nile.”
Ali Khashaba - Former Ambassador
“In the Palestine War, he was in the
vanguard of the suicide troops, and in the 1956 war, he was a symbol of
resistance. When he was a Governor, he was a man of the people in every street,
district, mosque and church.”
Emad al Din Adib - Editor,Alam al Yom
al Iqtisadiya
“He was an unforgettable man. No one
who met Wagih Abaza, even once, could forget him. He was atruly unique
combination who made an impression on everyone who met him.”
Farouq el Tawil - Journalist, Akher
Saa
“Devoted and faithful patriot and revolutionary who ,
in every post he held, gave the people and his country so much.”
Helmy Salam - Former Editor, al
Gomhuria
“Whether in youth or in old age, he
never gave up his revolutionary spirit for Wagih Abaza, revolution was not just
a transitory phase dictated by circumstance; it was his whole life.”
Ibrahim Saada - Journalist, Editor,
Akbar al Yom
“Wagih Abaza was an outstanding person, with ethics and
attributes rarely found in one person.”
Ibrahim Shukry - Leader, Opposition
Labour Party
“He never broadcast the good he did,
but Iheard about it from the poor fighters whom he supported with his generous
hand.”
Lotfy Waked - Free Officer, Chairman,
al Ahali
“He was one of the most adroit and famous in local
government. Henever feared censure, but took hard decisions and shouldered tge
responsibility for them. The great enterprises he set up will endure for a long
time to come.”
Mohamed el Saadani - Political
Satirist
“Wagih Abaza was born Minya al Qamh
district in Sharqiyya, one of the Delta governorates, in 1917, and graduated
from thr Air Force Academy in 1937.He held several posts, including Governor of
Beheira, Gharbiyya and Cairo in the period between 1960 and 1970.
Wagih Abaza introduced the Peugeot into the Egyptian
market. He wanted not merely to transform Egypt into a car producer instead of
ab importer, but to turn Egypt. into an exporter of cars. In fact, in July 1992,
Wagih Abaza actually signed an agreement with the Peugeot Company, whereby a
joint stock company was set up, with a total capital of 20 million French
francs.”
Mustafa Abd al Salam -Journalist,
Alam al Yom
“Wagih Abaza was ideal as someone who understood
culture and its function.”
Saad Kamel - Journalist, al Akhbar
“He was the kind of man who is like a
cork which sinks when you press down on it but bounces to the surface as soon as
you take your hand away.”
Salah Montasser - Political
Commentator
“Wagih Abaza was an ideal father and
Governor and a model statesman, who was proud of caring for all his people,
including the Palestinian refugees if Mudiriyet al Tahrir in Beheira.
That is the essence of man.”
Younis al Katari - Member,
Palestinian Liberation Organization
“In 1953 he was appointed Directed of
the Armed Forces Public Affairs Department and in 1957 he was elected member of
the National Assembly for the Minya al Qamh constituency.”
Al Ahram al Masai
“Wagih was never a governor, a
minister. For the people of Damnhour , Wagih was one of us, a brother . He loved
the people and the people loved him in return.
Wagih was the founder of many charitable projects for
the goo] of the people and was an example of generosity in giving.”
Mohammed NUH - Musician
“He had no belief in the word
'impossible'.”
IBRAHIM ADAM - Former member of
Peoples Assembly
“Of my fellow countrymen it is he
that I admire most.”
SABRY AL QADI - Governor, Kafr al
Sheikh
“The late Mr WagihAbaza, our great
friend, was not merely an Egyptian who faithfully performed his duties in all
his position of responsibility; he was not merely a Governor of Beherira. He was
greater than one who has passed away leaving only a name and a picture to be
hung on a wall for his commemoration.”
RAGAB AL BANNA - Editor, October
Magazine
“The sportsmen of Beheira, indeed all
the people of Damanhour are indebted to this man and to his outstanding
achievements.”
SAID QUREITAM - CHAIRMAN, Damanhour
Social Club
“I was taught by him.
I was taught by a man who was wholly committed to his
work and who integrated into it the concept of the responsibilities of a
governor.
We may teach those in positions of responsibility of
the role he played, and also the coming generations that he who gave to them
should be remembered with honor and gratitude.
The late Wagih Abaza will always be a distinguished
figure who worked hard to beneficial effect.”
ISMAIL AL GAWSAQI -Ex-Governor of of
Alexandria
“He left behind him a legacy of
bricks and mortar, of institutions. and thus we will sing his praises.”
SALAH AL DIN ATTIYA - Ex-Governor of
Beheira
“Wagih Abaza was a kind man who
served his country, leaving behind him a legacy of loyalty and appreciation.”
Zaki Hashim - Former Minister of
Tourism
“I will never forget his astonishing
contribution to Franco –Egyptian cooperation in the economic sphere.”
Patrick Leclerq -
Ex-Ambassador of
the Republic of France to the Arab Republic of E GYPT
The history of Wagih ABAZA is one that is not wrapped
up in a few words; it is a path of pride, dignity, hard work, and success.
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