And I will bless them
that bless thee…….Genesis 12:3
The name Aliko Dangote
needs no introduction in any circles. The wealthiest man in the black race as
at today and consistently so for a few years. This excerpt from the book “The
African Apostles ” authored by Leke Beecroft tells a true story you’ve probably
never heard. This is a validation of scriptures.
Born on April 10, 1957
in the then Northern Region (Kano State) Aliko Dangote was born to Mohammed
Dangote and Mariya Sanusi Dantata. An ethnic Hausa from Kano State, he showed
his love for business by selling sweets even in primary school.
alhaji-dangote
As a teenager, he began
to work for his uncle, Sani Dangote and it was said of him that he served
diligently. Sometime in 1977 and after his 20th birthday, he approached his
uncle and master and told him about his plan to establish a business outfit
which would trade in cement, sugar, rice, pasta, salt, cotton, millet,
vegetable oil and other products. His uncle provided a loan of N500,000 but
gave a caveat to Aliko to return the loan within a deadline of
three-months(this was the practice at the time).
Dangote first of all
relocated to Lagos in June 1977, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, also,
he then began to travel around Nigeria to develop a strong distribution channel
for the quick and efficient delivery of his products.
A few years earlier,
the Benin Airport had been constructed. This served as one of his routes to the
Niger-Delta or South-South area of Nigeria.
Benin, formerly known
as the City of Blood was then experiencing a great revival through 39 year old
Benson Andrew Idahosa, a Bini man, who was established as a young Christian in
the Assemblies of God and now pastored the Church of God Mission. Idahosa who
had recently returned from a missionary school in America had established
strong links with a number of pastors such as Gordon Lindsay, Jim Bakker and
T.L Osborn among others.
Tommy Lee Osborn, one
of the greatest evangelists in modern times had first responded to Benson
Idahosa’s letters in 1962. Subsequently, a solid relationship was established
over the years resulting in Osborn’s visits with his wife, Daisy to Benin on a
few occasions, either for his crusades or specifically to Idahosa’s Church.
Of all the visits
however, one specific visit in the late 1970s was very unique. T.L and Daisy
Osborn had stayed late ministering at the Miracle Centre of Church of God
Mission just opposite the Airport. They therefore went late to catch their
flight to Lagos which was supposed to be a connecting flight from Johannesburg
to France, England and then the USA.
By the time Idahosa
took his guests to the airport, they were told that the last flight for the day
was overbooked. Not one seat was available, the passengers had boarded and the
flight about to take off.
Not only that, the
jetliner had begun to taxi towards the runway. Benson Idahosa’s new mercedes
sped towards the tarmac and screeched to a halt in front of the plane. Benson
Idahosa came out and waved at the pilot frantically.
The plane stopped and
the steps were lowered as the pilot came down to know what the issue was.
Idahosa began “I have two of God’s important servants who must go to Lagos”.
“But we are loaded to capacity. Every seat is full” said the captain. “Never
mind.
Let me on board. They
all know me; they see ‘Redemption Hour’ (Idahosa’s TV program).
Let me talk to them”.
Idahosa obliged, climbed into the plane and walked down the crowded aisles. The
passengers were annoyed. He prayed silently as he returned to the front. He
turned round, facing the passengers and started “Excuse me friends, I have two
of God’s special servants in my car. They must go to Lagos today on this plane.
Two of you will get off now so God’s servants can board. God bless you. He
waited a minute, no one moved. The silence showed annoyance by the impatient
passengers. Some pretended to be asleep and others it seemed were praying.
Idahosa slowly walked the aisle again. As he approached the rear, a young man
rose from the back of the plane and asked the person sitting next to him to get
up. Yes, said Idahosa pointing, you can go tomorrow. You can travel later he
said, pointing to the other man. They both gathered their belongings and
proceeded from the plane.
Benson Idahosa stopped
the first man in in the aisle of the plane. He asked him “young man, what is
your name and what do you do?”
“My name is Aliko
Dangote and this is my assistant” the young man replied. “I am a trader, a
businessman”. Impressed. Benson Idahosa responded
“The World will get up
for you” the mostly Christian passengers responded “Amen”. “My God will bless
you! God will take you and your business beyond Africa and bless you beyond
measure”.
Just before descending
the steps, Idahosa turned and raised his hands with tears in his eyes, praised
the Lord and blessed the remaining passengers for their patience. They all
broke out in spontaneous clapping. See you on ‘Redemption Hour’ this Sunday
evening he said. They clapped as T.L and Daisy Osborn boarded for the
subsequent flight.
The world has since
stood up for that twenty something year old man.
Today, Aliko Dangote is
a Nigerian Billionaire ($16.3Bn networth) presently the 67th richest in the
world (2015) and richest in Africa. He flies one of the best jets in the
country.
Believe in the Lord
God, so shall you be Established, believe Also in his Prophets, so shall you
Prosper! 2 Chronicles 20:20
Oluwaleke Beecroft.
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