“Is
your full name Anthony or Antonio?” I asked my struggling Italian friend.
“Neither,” Tony replied and went on to explain how he got the name. “I was
christened Sergio. My father died when I was 9yrs old leaving nothing for the
family. My mother, with no income of her own, had the arduous task of looking
after me and my four siblings, all below the age of 12. We had to fend for ourselves
doing odd jobs and living from hand to mouth. There were days we went without a
single meal.
“Having heard several stories of how
Italians were making it real big in US my mother hatched a plan for me to stow
away to New York. But there was one major challenge. I could not speak a word
of English. My mother solved the problem by writing TO-NY with an indelible
felt pen on my forehead. When I asked her what she had written, she said, “I have
written your destination, ‘To NY.’ If anyone asks you any question, just point at
your forehead.” I did exactly that. To my amazement everyone started calling me
Tony. I have been stuck with it since then. ”
Tony is now a billionaire and as we say in
common parlance, “level has changed.” I doubt if he would remember my name or
recollect having had such an animated discussion with me. But he set me
thinking about your name and its origin. Unlike Tony, my research shows you were born
into a wealthy family. You have not, however, rested on your oars but worked
hard to build a bigger empire than you met it. That is why you have achieved
the unique position of the richest man in Africa and the 67th
wealthiest man in the world. Tony is yet
to make the Forbes Magazine’s list! I also found out that Dangote was initially
the nickname of your father, Aliko Muhammad, aka Aliko Gote. The word “Dan” is
used by the Hausa man to associate one thing with another, be it person, place,
trade or activity. So a wild guess would suggest your name as Dan, son of the
great Gote.
You share one thing in common
with Tony – a passion for football. This letter is also for Tony. I can’t reach
him but if and when you run into him in your circle, kindly pass this message
to him.
There are two types of balls.
One is a round leather ball called football. The game evokes such interest and
passion that nations have gone to war and people have been killed on account of
it. The other type of ball is round and natural. It is called the eyeball. You
must cultivate interest and become passionate about it because without your two
eyeballs you cannot read this letter; your work would suffer and your world would
change.
Sadly, according to estimates
from the World Health Organization there are about 285 million people worldwide
whose eyeballs are not functioning properly. They can neither play football nor
enjoy watching it on the television because they are blind or visually impaired.
About 4million of these are Nigerians! In about 60 to 80%, the blindness is
either preventable or can be reversed by simple intervention. Unfortunately the
available centres are few and far between, not accessible and the cost of
services unaffordable for many.
I read in the dailies recently
that you broached the idea of buying Arsenal Football Club. Tony had a similar
idea several years ago. I don’t know why he gave up. We all have desires and
like feelings, they could be overpowering. But I also read where you stated, "Let
me tell you this and I want to really emphasize it...nothing is going to help
Nigeria like Nigerians bringing back their money. If you give me $5 billion
today, I will invest everything here in Nigeria. Let us put our heads together
and work." That is precisely why I am writing this letter to you. I am up
for sale. Before you buy Arsenal buy me!
But I am no use to you. As an
astute business man, you know I wouldn’t be a good buy! So instead, I am making
an offer of something more rewarding – enlisting you as a partner for sight.
Partnership for Sight Initiative of Nigeria (PASSION) needs patriotic,
progressive, outstanding, persuasive, intelligent, influential and devoted
citizens to work with us to improve the quality of our society and eliminate
avoidable blindness. Joining the group is free and there are no hidden
financial obligations. There will also be very little demand on your precious time
and no formal meetings. You will however be expected to make a personal
commitment (binding in honour only) that you will not inadvertently contribute
to the millions of the blind and visually impaired in our society by ensuring
that you have an eye examination once a year and encouraging all members of
your family and friends to do the same.
I see a smile on your face and
I can hear you say, “The ‘eyes’ have it.” Thanks.
Nice write-up sir. How do we join the PASSION? By the way I'm up for sale too danGOTE :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece.Well done Sir.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patrick. The first step to take towards becoming a member of PASSION is for you to personally have an eye examination including a glaucoma test.. I am sure you've not had one in two years! The second step is to insist that all around you - close friends, brothers, sisters, parents and close relatives - undergo eye examination as well.. And thereafter once a year.
ReplyDeleteOnce you have fulfilled these simple conditions, you are already a member of PASSION. You then have the task of spreading the message which is passed on to you weekly IN THIS BLOG FOR THE TIME BEING AND LATER IN THE SPECIAL BLOG FOR THIS PURPOSE. Simple! Isn't it?
Yes it is sir. Will do. Thank you sir
ReplyDelete