For all that money can buy, a compassionate heart that feels even the pains of strangers is out of the question. This is why the world appreciates Femi Otedola. He is not obligated to share his wealth, the result of his diligence and God’s faithfulness and blessing in his life, but he does so anyway and with as little pomp as the beneficiaries of his graciousness will allow.
Vanguard Newspaper has listed Femi Otedola as one of the three who are deserving of its Personality of the Year (2019/2020) award. Labelled the ‘Philanthropist with the Breath of Excellence’, the honour paid to Otedola is significantly less than he deserves. It is simply impossible to compensate for good things. This is something only God can do, which is also true for the astonishingly large heart that He gave the Lagos-born businessman.
Why is it that media houses and other independent bodies queue behind one another to pin a laurel to Otedola’s chest every year? His business acumen is outstanding, but that is not it. His children are mass influencers of the younger generation, but that is not it. What it is, is Otedola’s love for people.
The billionaire demonstrates this love by giving generously to the cause of others. From Super Eagles footballer and coach, Christian Chukwu, to Nollywood actor Victor Olaotan, to Reggae star Majek Fashek, the UniUyo lecturer, Inih Ebong, and many others, Otedola’s wealth has been directed at these people, bringing them from the brink of despair and death, and reminding others that human life is far more precious than the greed that pervades the world of mice and men.
So the Vanguard Personality of the Year award is only the first of many to come. After all, there are many super-wealthy Nigerians, even more with business acumens, that will eventually overturn the world. Yet, there is only one of these with the title of the country’s biggest philanthropist. And this is no compliment but a sober fact.
