Experience a day in the life of FD as he beats the odds to cover 5 states in 2days...
(The
improbable and exciting Journey from Lagos to Portharcourt, Bauchi, Jigawa and
back to Lagos in 2 days)
Our weekend
started on a high note and ended on a much higher note.
We (Fela,
Harris and I) started an impropable journey on this fateful Saturday morning.
Our itinerary will take us to PortHarcourt where Fela will have a brief stint,
speaking with the British Council. From there, we are to proceed to Abuja
enroute to Bauchi state where Fela is a keynote speaker at a “Deliver the Future
“ conference. Our final destination is Jigawa before finally heading home. That
was the plan we hope to make happen in just 2 days (Saturday and Sunday).
Did I hear
you say wow?
Lesson 1… you can attempt the
impossible
Our driver from the British
Council got to VGC almost 45mins late which meant that our 6.50am flight to
PortHarcourt
is in doubt.He
drove like the new James Bond and manoeuvred; pretty much like an angel. I was
in constant communication with FD and Harris as well as on the case of the Aero
officials to figure out what to do; whether to buy the ticket or simply to wait
for the next flight which is by 8pm and by implication, our impropable journey
is very much in doubt.
Lesson 2… Set your eyes on the
horizon
We made it! The flight set out by
7.30am and the probability of success is revived. We got to Port Harcourt in
record time; only to discover that there was environmental sanitation, which
means the British Council participants will not arrive till 10.30 to say the
least. We just got confirmation that our 2.30pm flight to Abuja has been moved
to 11.30am! Very hurriedly, Fela autographed his book, the 17 Secrets of High
Flying Students and presented it to the British Council, P/H centre, took some
photographs with the coordinator and introduced Steve Harris who would now
facilitate the Leadership & Development Session for the British Council.
We headed for the airport to catch an 11.30 flight to Abuja.
We made it and the protocol team from Bauchi (Bayo & the driver) were on
hand to take the 6hour trip.
Before we set out, Fela made it known to Bayo
that he is wary of over - speeding which he
communicated to the driver.
Lesson 3…Raise Leaders instead
of Followers
… Communicate your Values at first Sight
FD remarked that he was grateful
that he had people like Harris who had developed capacity to take up his
responsibilities without flinching.
And so, the trip began. We started
on a high note and with some distance covered; the anxiety of overspeeding
crept in an alarming rate. I spoke softly with the driver to take it easy, FD
equaly did the same, but, it fell on deaf ears. When we could not bear it any
longer, FD told the driver, “if your speedometer exceeds 120 mph, you have
simply told me to get out of your cab”. Then, the unbelievable happened! The
driver sped up to 140 mph and when FD complained, shouted at FD, saying
“Who do you think you are” and using derogatory words which I’m still trying to
comprehend as I write. Of course you know that while FD might keep quiet, I
won’t, and I didn’t. He then proceeded to drop us off in the middle of nowhere
and drove off. Yes, he drove off! Our first hosts were flies swarming like bees
around us and FD’s hands were busy throughout the 1hr 45mins spent on the
roadside…
Lesson 4 … whatever it will
cost don’t compromise your value
… You cannot change
what you are unwilling to confront.
However, God sent an “angel” who
stood by; watching the unfolding event. The “angel” had a 20th century bike,
looked like a 19th century farmer, but he was still an angel. I rode
with him to the nearest town which was 45mins away from where we were dropped.
The road seemed endless as I had to get a car in order to continue our journey.
We eventually got a 19th century 505 station Wagon “car -cass” which
stopped 5 times on our way to Bauchi (3 times to adjust its throttle, 2 times
to change his plugs and to fill in water to his “radiator”. The car seat is out
of this world, the noise like the sound of many waters and the smoke from the
exhaust filled the “temple” but we did not exceed 120mph, he couldn’t anyway,
even if he tried. We made it to the conference by 8.40pm and FD spoke for
45mins taking a cue from our experience to “Deliver the Future” once again
emphasizing the 10 values of true Nigerians.
Lesson 5… your journey may be
delayed, but you will reach your destination Just in Time.
… Heaven always sends
timely help on your way to fuflfilling your assignment.
By the time we were done, FD was
exhausted and I was spent. Then the group that invited us then wanted to have
15 minutes with FD. I totally refused but later caved in to their request with
the express agreement to spend 15minutes. He began slowly and then suddenly,
his voice was amplified and he taught with incredible passion for an hour and I
wondered what else could make this happen other than the Spirit of Might. Would
you believe that the driver that dropped us in the middle of nowhere came with
his wife to apologize! He was a member of the church we were heading to!!!
Butinstead of taking responsibility for his action said “it was the devil”.
FD told him that he already
forgave him before he left and that if what happened would lead to his
deliverance from the spirit of anger and pride, his mission to Bauchi is
accomplished. We went to bed around 1.30am.
Lesson 6… there is a spirit of
might that is assigned to energizes you on your assignment. Forgiveness is
seeing your offender as someone needing help rather than someone that needs to
be punished.
We woke up early to set out to Jigawa. A 20th century
car took us on a 4hr journey. We saw breath-taking
hills on our way. We saw a tree
that has no leaves. FD asked Bayo (our protocol officer )about the use of the
tree; he turned to our Hausa driver who told us that it was used for soup and
that it also has leaves in certain season of the year. We got to the hotel,
took a picture in front of a magnificently mountain, had light refreshment and
set out to the conference venue. We mistakenly dropped FD’s phone pouch when we
entered the city, but thankfully, found it with the Access Bank gatekeeper. Fela stepped up to speak and delivered a fresh insight
summarized in 3 phrases… Find your Kingdom; Sit on
your Throne and Put your Government in Power. We have a 2.30pm flight to catch in Kano, otherwise we will have to travel 6hrs to
Abuja for a 7.55pm, we were in a race against time and FD must speak for only
45mins.
Lesson 7… Solomon was the
wisest because he asked questions and sought answers to everything in his
environment. FD asks questions and is willing to learn and know.
My coach spoke for 55mins. We were
10mins behind schedule for the Kano flight. 10mins of lingering led to a 6 hour
strenuous trip. God blessed our trip with a 21st car, we prayed for
flight delay,thought about the inevitability of missing our flight, therefore
missing the Spring bank training that takes place the next day at 9am in Lagos.
We moved between faith and unbelief and watched as the driver was taken by the
wings of heaven. We hoped against hope and finally we made it. You can’t
believe it, the plane was about taking off, we were the last passengers at
8.05pm on Sunday, and we panted as we ran to make it. I saw my mentor worship
God, we hugged, and we gave ourselves Hi Fives. We snatched victory out of the
jaws of defeat. We scored the winning goal with just 30 seconds to go. We made
it.
We got home around 11.00pm and
woke up at 4.00am to prepare for our Spring bank training where FD spoke for a
10hour stretch with only I and a half break, he didn’t even eat, and I had to
get “gala” for him at Shoprite. We are on the path of destiny, but the story
continues on Tuesday when Kings dined with Mr Passion as he spoke about Passion
at the CHAMS retreat at Akodo Beach. Chief Joseph Sanusi (Fmr. Governor Central
Bank); Dr Christopher Kolade (Fmr High Commissioner to the UK); Prof Akinde and
Chief Osunkeye (Chairman of Nestle), Demola
Aladekomo were all inspired and moved by his passionate delivery. My point is,
I saw my coach as a bridge builder, who travelled thousands of kilometers to
speak to young people who could
not afford to give him anything, and I was with him when he dined with
the movers and shakers. He is the bridge between the young and the elderly,
“the haves” and the “yet to have”.Many people will see him with the kings, but not
see him make the sacrifice of staying on the road in the middle of nowhere. So
I say to you today, all who desire to be like FD, ask for his kind of heart before you seek for his fame.
That’s the secret. God
Bless you.
Lesson 8: 10mins extra delay
may lead to 6hour strenous trip…
…until you are wiiling to
sacrifice for those who need you but cannot pay you; doors of wealth (what
money can buy and what favour can deliver) untold may not be opened for you…
…the most effective flight
schedule will extend on your behalf until you arrive, if you are in your
Kingdom.
…God never panics because He
sees the end from the beginning and you will not panic if you can see with the
eyes of God
This is a wonderful write up, Christian. May God make a dedicated follower out of you and may you not be found wanting when the baton is to be handed over. Enjoy GOD
Uncle Fela (My coach to be),
Am not surprised anyways, about what you are doing and i trust God to take you to full lenght of your ministry and that you will finish strong like the men of old. I celebrate you sir.
thank you for coming to harvest christain centre on our father's day, when i heard you say eyes have not seen, nor ears heard what God has in mind for me, i knew you were talking to me i know i can do much more than you have done fd, may god help me, but i strongly admire that grace on you, and from all you said, it only takes an encounter with the master to be great. you are indeed a very great man and a "great father".
Fd,
i met u live at the House On The Rock,Port Harcourt in late 2008,thanks to Pastor Lanre and his team of Pastors for inviting you.You blew my head,and was a blessing to me,I can never forget that encounter,i had to stay for 2 sevices,just to hear u speak.
That was my very 1st time of hearing your name and seeing u in person.
I took my time to watch u closely,i saw the passion,dedication and committment to an assignment.
Keep it up my brother,u will go places.God bless u.
FD, since seeing you speak for the first time at TREM head quarters and the second time where you prophesied an open heaven and TAPPED into it dangerously, you've not stopped being an amazement to me.
Now, this journey is amazing and the lessons learnt are fundamental and well articulated. Well done Christian Love.
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