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
Source:- SundayAdelajablob...
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