From our Archives-Celebrating IDAHOSA
(September 11, 1938-March 12, 1998)
 |
| Aliko Dangote (Left) and Bishop Benson Idahosa |
The Benson Idahosa and T.L Osborn connection
By Leke Beecroft
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 "youngman, 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 ($11.8Bn Networth-March
2017) presently the 67th richest in the world (23rd in 2014) 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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