Men of Lagos
When I visited
Lagos,
the city
of demigods,
I walked
through the wealthy streets
of Banana Island.
And there
I met
Aliko Dangote.
The richest man
in Africa.
A man
who built mountains
from ambition.
When I looked
into his eyes,
I saw fire.
I saw resolve.
I saw a man
still climbing
after reaching
the summit.
In a gentle voice
he said,
"Nigeria
is a sleeping giant.
And Lagos
is its first step
into destiny."
The city
never sleeps.
The markets
never rest.
The streets
breathe business
day and night.
"If you seek
entrepreneurs,"
he said,
"go to Nigeria."
For in Lagos,
survival comes first.
And survival
teaches wisdom.
The men of Lagos
dream with open eyes.
They build
while others sleep.
They risk
while others fear.
Then Dangote smiled.
And softly said,
"The men of Lagos
understand multiplicity.
They are sleeping lions
beginning to awaken."
I answered,
"Some say
Nigerians are criminals."
His face
grew thoughtful.
Then he replied,
"And what of
the mafias of Italy?
What of those
who rob nations
in daylight
while wearing suits?"
For a moment,
silence spoke.
The kind of silence
that history understands.
The sun
was setting.
And the city lights
began to rise.
Then I knew.
The men of Lagos
are not merely
the future of Nigeria.
They are part
of the future
of Africa.
As we shook hands
and prepared to part,
I said,
"Dangote,
you are the
John D. Rockefeller
of Africa.
The Mansa Musa
of our generation."
He smiled.
And walked away
into the evening.
While Lagos,
restless,
hungry,
and eternal,
continued dreaming
of tomorrow.
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