When Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola was asked in an interview what was the thing that made him happiest in life, the businessman and philanthropist said, “I have gone through four stages of happiness before I finally understood the true meaning of happiness in life.”
The first stage was to accumulate, build wealth, acquire properties and become highly influential. “But at this stage, I did not get the happiness I wanted,” Femi said. “The next step was to collect valuables and items. However, I realized that the luster of valuable things does not last long and the effect of this thing is also temporary.”
Getting big projects was the third stage. “That was when I was holding 95% of the diesel supply in Nigeria and Africa. Additionally, I owned the largest vessel in Africa and Asia. My expectations of happiness were not met here either,” Femi told the interviewer.
Femi then revealed the fourth stage that brought him real happiness. “The fourth stage was the time a friend asked me to buy wheelchairs for some disabled children. It was for about 200 people. I immediately purchased the wheelchairs at the friend’s request. It was my friend’s request that I go with him and personally give the wheelchairs to the children. He and I got ready and went together.”
There, when Femi gave these wheelchairs to the children, he saw the strange glow of happiness on their faces. “As I watched them move around and have fun in their wheelchairs, they all seemed to be having a good time. It was as if they had arrived at a picnic spot where they were sharing a jackpot winning. I felt real joy inside me,” Femi said.
When he decided to leave one of the kids grabbed his legs. “The child stared at my face and tightly held my legs while I tried to free them gently. Taking a step forward, I asked the child: ‘Do you need something else?’ The answer this child gave me not only made me happy but also changed my attitude to life completely,” Femi said.
As this child said, “I want to remember your face so that in heaven I will be able to recognize you.”I will be able to recognize you and thank you once again.”
What would you be remembered for after you leave your high office or this life itself? Will anyone desire to see your face again where it really matters?
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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