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.
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
The African
Apostles:Volume 1 (Patriarchs and Pacesetters)
Oluwaleke Beecroft.
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