By:Oladapo Sofowora
It was South Africa born Raggae music legend Lucky Dube, who aptly titled one of his songs released in 1990, ‘The Hands That Giveth’. In the lyrics of the song, Lucky glorified giving culture than taking culture. However, he said; “Blessed is the hand that giveth, than the one that taketh”. Analysing the lyrics of the song, Femi Otedola flips through the mind as a reference point. Giving other than taking is one of the best kept secret to the shrewd businessman’s success and why he has remained blessed beyond every man’s imagination. A source confimed that; Femi is one of the few Nigerian Billionaire Businessman, who is not owing any bank a dime. His ability to stay afloat in business without taking loans or swim in debts remains a wonderment. The popular axiom, “Who God has blessed, no man can curse” answers every lingering question.
If giving generously without blinking an eye was an art, Femi who is unarguably the richest man in South-West Nigeria, would probably be a Guiness book of record holder. His impeccable records in donations, charitable works and generosity is yet to be beaten. To the chairman of Geregu power, wealth and riches comes from the creator. The only way to be thankful to the creator for the gift of wealth is to pull people who are in need up and render assistance to them effortlessly.
One of his donations that got people talking was last year, whe he announced the donation of a whopping amount of N5 billion to the Save the Children foundation towards helping indigent children in the war-ravaged north east of Nigeria. Some, sees it as impossible for one man to part away with that obnoxious amount of money, believing it is a publicity stunt. Far from it, Femi loathes publicity most especially when donating. “Every move to make his donations quiet are always fruitless, the over anxious people he donates to will make it public knowledge.” A source said.
The story of Femi can be likened to the biblical teachings in Luke 10:25-37, when Jesus tells the classic story of the Good Samaritan — one who gave time, resources, and skill to meet the need of a man who had been left for dead at the side of the road. The Samaritan makes himself vulnerable and available. The very definition of hospitality and meeting peole at the point of their needs was when Femi footed medical bills for ailing people running into millions of dollars. You can call him a life saver, those he took care of their medical bills are currently bubbling with life.
Intrestingly, for his immense contribution to humanity through his generosity and unmatched benevolence over the decade and beyond, at the 25th Anniversary of Thisday Newspaper, held at the highbrow, Eko Hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Femi Otedola was awarded ‘Philanthropist of the Decade’ amid pomp and splendor. A well deserved award to keep him afloat and further cement his already burning passion for the upliftment of humanity.
