The Nigerian Billionaires.



While going through the latest list of the 14 richest black individuals in the world, I saw Folorunsho Alakija in the 12th position with $1.1 billion, in the 11th position was Abdulsamad Rabiu with $1.6 billion, 2nd position had Mike Adenuga with $9.1 billion and occupying the 1st position was Aliko Dangote, $10.9 billion. I asked myself, how the heck did those guys make their billions of dollars in a country rich in Oil but now rated as one of the most poverty-stricken nations in the world?

Folorunsho Alakija

Here are two examples; Alakija was formerly a sewing mistress until she met the wife of the then president Babangida through whom she was gifted with an oil well and…boom she became a billionaire…just like that! And what about the richest Nigerian (Dangote)? Using his powerful connections with the nation’s political leadership, the man was able to monopolize the supply of sugar, cement, flour and other essential commodities in a nation of over 150 million people. 

Aliko Dangote

That was when I remembered “King Rat”, a 1962 novel by James Clavell which was set in the World War Two era. It was a narration of the struggle for survival by American and European prisoners of war in a Japanese camp in Singapore. At the end of the war, the Japanese surrendered to a battalion of American troops that arrived at the camp. The American troops were shocked to discover that all the prisoners of war were in terribly deteriorating conditions as a result of a deliberate act of starvation used by the Japanese.  As the soldiers went around the camp to provide immediate succor to the physically-emaciating prisoners of war, one of them stepped forward before the stunned Americans. He was looking very robust and fresh and everyone was wondering how the heck he looked so different. The commander of the American troops was so disgusted and angry that he ordered the immediate arrest and detention of the erstwhile prisoner of war pending a court-marshal. It was discovered during the trial that the erring soldier had, all the while, been collaborating with the Japanese captors and taking advantage of his fellow soldiers. In return, the Japanese allowed him to maintain an “animal husbandry” whereby he reared some bush rats that he was selling, as a source of protein, through trade-by-barter to feed only those who had personal valuables to offer him. 

Nigerian billionaires simply reminds me of King Rat.

Can you Imagine Reading your own Obituary in the Newspaper?

Can you imagine reading your own obituary in the newspaper? What would people say about you? Alfred Nobel got the chance to read his own death notice, and he didn’t like what he saw.

Alfred Nobel was a very wealthy and successful man. He had become an expert in chemistry and invented three of the most commonly used explosives in the world - dynamite, gelignite (used in mining) and ballistite, which is still used as a rocket propellant today. 

With the huge fortune he made from these inventions, Nobel bought an engineering company called Bofors and turned it into an arms manufacturer. He made another enormous fortune designing cannons and guns and selling them around the world.

Then, in 1888, Alfred’s brother died while visiting France. A French newspaper thought it was Alfred who had died and they published an obituary that began like this:

THE MERCHANT OF DEATH IS DEAD

Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday…. 

Alfred Nobel was shocked. Was this what people thought of him? Was this the legacy he would leave to the world? That’s when he decided to use his vast wealth to make a positive difference.

Nobel set up a foundation with $250 million dollars in funding. Every year the foundation would consult the leading experts in the world and hand out prizes to people who had made great contributions to humanity. There would be prizes for sciences, for literature, and for promoting peace.

Today the Nobel Prizes are probably the best known and most prestigious awards in the world. They have been awarded to great scientists, authors and activists and helped draw attention to many outstanding works and worthy causes.

Nobel set up his foundation in 1895: just in time to influence his own obituary. He died only a year later.

The Nobel Prizes accomplished his wish; they created a very different legacy for him than a reputation as “The Merchant of Death.” He is not remembered as an explosives inventor or arms dealer, but as one of the greatest philanthropists of all time.

He is also a great example of how it is never too late to change your life and help make the world a better place.

What will you be remembered for? 

To Maintain a Good Health: Prevention is better than Cure.

This is a special appeal to individuals between the ages of 40 and 70. Please find time in your schedule to go for annual medical check-ups. These days, too many people are becoming victims of avoidable deaths. 

The objectives of a medical check-up are a legion. Primarily however, it's a sure way of preventing hypertension, stroke, cardiac arrest, prostate cancer and other medical issues of peculiar concern to men. For women, It's to prevent high blood pressure, pelvic cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and other health problems.  

Now, for both men and women in their 50s, they need to undergo their first colonoscopy to prevent colon cancer a.k.a. colorectal cancer. This is one of the most silent, creepy killers out there. And for those of us in our 60s, we need a second colonoscopy. It's required every ten years after the age of 50.

Had it been possible to ask past victims why they would rather succumb to these health issues instead of subscribing to a preventive care, their answers would most probably be either of two things: No time or no money. But ironically, when the problem struck, they suddenly had both time and money at their disposal. Except that it was too late!

There is also a strong need for physical exercises (workouts). And, contrary to popular belief, one doesn't have to go to a gym before engaging in a physical exercise. There are various ways to get a physical exercise at home or at work. I usually suggest walking. You can walk your way to a great, strong and healthy body. For example, those in occupations of sedentary nature such as bankers and other professionals, find every reason (restrooms, errands or just anything whatsoever) to get up and walk around every hour. At home, walk up and down your stair-case for as long as your stamina can cope. A walk around your neighborhood is also good.

In addition to physical exercises though, we also need to minimize or stay away from certain foods and drinks if we must stay healthy. Fried, fat-containing foods, salty foods and junk foods should be avoided. In the same vein, alcohol, soda, coffee and other "delicate" drinks should be minimally consumed or totally avoided.

For a healthy living, there must be a commensurate healthy lifestyle. And with the grace of God added to all of these stuff, there is a bonus to show for our efforts: Even though we are all susceptible to the natural law of gravity, a healthy-living individual usually looks radiant and much younger.

Nigeria as a Nation in Stagnation.

Right now, Nigeria, (the giant of Africa and the most populous Black nation in the world) is practically in a state of stagnation. The economy is crawling. Inflation is galloping. Power supply is "epileptic". Security is almost non-existent. Kidnapping-for-ransom is the order of the day. Legislators are busy acting like spoilt brats. Cabinet ministers are now as good as glorified office boys. And even the president is nowhere to be found. Yet, Nigerians albeit, the reasonably comfortable among them, are stressing themselves silly by arguing over some mundane stuff and, especially a recent speech made by the now foreign-based president.  

In a reasonable environment, a terribly sick president such as Mr. Buhari, would have resigned his appointment and allowed his Vice President to take full charge of the nation. But not in a nation like Nigeria where selfish interest comes before national interest. And sadly, the president is surrounded by several selfish individuals who believe that their aid personal interest will be better served if the president remains in office, irrespective of the condition of his health. In the process, the nation can go o blazes for all they care. 

This state of affairs does makes one wonder sometimes if there are (or were some sins) that Nigerians have committed and, for which, they are now paying. The economic situation in the country has reached a critical stage. In the meantime though, the few individuals with ill-gotten wealth are busy flaunting it at every opportunity while the poverty-stricken masses look on helplessly.

God is not Averse to Detailed Prayer Points.

As a young man, the man would always pray for 3 things:-

1. To be rich.

2. To be very rich. And,

3. To become the CEO of a bank.

One after the other, the prayers were answered. Yes, the man even became a bank's CEO. But shortly after, he got terribly sick and died. If only he knew...he could have asked for more...such as good health and long life.

Lesson:- God is not averse to a detailed list.

A sense of Fulfillment is Relative.

There was this story of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat.

"Why aren't you out there fishing?" he asked. 

"Because I've caught enough fish for today," said the fisherman. 

"Why don't you catch more fish than you need?' the rich man asked.

"What would I do with them?" the man asked. 

"You could earn more money, and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you'd have a fleet of boats and be rich like me." 

The fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?" 

"You could sit down and enjoy life," said the industrialist. 

"What do you think I'm doing now?" the fisherman replied as he looked placidly out to sea.

 Courtesy: Godfruits.com