How Benson Idahosa
Blessed & Prophesied To Young Aliko Dangote – The T.L Osborn Connection!!
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 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)
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