Aliko Dangote: A Nigerian with a Difference

Alhaji Aliko Dangote




Just recently, the Forbes Magazine declared Aliko Dangote as the world's richest African. This indeed, is  not surprising to business analysts and Nigeria's economy watchers, who know this worthy ambassador well. Aliko dangote, 56, who was born on the 10th April, 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family from Kano state of Nigeria, read Business Studies at the Al- Azhar University, Cairo and currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, a multi-billion naira conglomerate with over 11,000 employees  and the largest Industrial conglomerate in the whole of West Africa- (Wikipedia)

One outstanding attribute of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that I value so much is his humility, which is noticeable in the simple manner he portrays himself. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, (MFR, GCON), whose net worth is valued at $16.1 Billion USD as of March, 2013, is one of the few Nigerians who believe in and are ready to bulid Nigeria. This is evident in the way he has invested in the Nigerian economy. It is not an overstatement to state that Aliko Dangote is a man of honour , worthy of emulation by other rich Nigerians, who invest our money in foreign countries.


According to  Sir Winston Churchill, a former Prime Minister of Britain. "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give", Aliko Dangote has not only made a living, he has also made a life by what he has given to better the lot of our great nation, Nigeria. In a bid to put an end to the incessant fuel scarcity in the country,and not being satisfied by his previous achievements, Alhaji Aliko dangote has taken a giant step to build the first privately owned Oil Refinery in the country.This,  according to him, will go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, by ensuring the availabity of petroleum products in the country, so as to stop us from importing what we have in excess.


I strongly believe that this singular act by Alhaji Aliko Dangote is a clarion call to other well-to-do Nigerians to change for the better, by joining hands with progressives like him (Dangote) to build and move Nigeria forward, and create the enabling environment for our dear nation to take its place of pride among other great nations of the world.