Writers 
What Elon Musk lost some weeks back is almost the sum total of all Dangote’s net worth. That is what a friend said yesterday during a random discussion. Is he right? Maybe you need to fact check.
But my own perspective was different. I disagreed with him, belittling the effort of a man who has constantly and gradually been evolving with a better vision for Nigeria and Africa as a whole. To me, without the money, he still remains the wealthiest man in the world. He is from a wealthy family. I mean, he could have avoided Nigeria with her problems and stayed abroad, as most of you all would do. But he decided to help and be part of the solution to the country’s problems. Every time, he is willing and looking for ways to help Nigeria solve one of her biggest problems.
"Oh, come on, he’s making money."
Exactly. If only you see yourself as a problem solver, then, and only then, can you make that fortune you desire. So, he is solving more problems and making more money.
So, to my friend, here is my reply. Both are entrepreneurs with different visions but the same end goal. Both plan to serve humanity at the end of the day, to create a better legacy.
One philosophy is simple: Build factories in Africa, produce daily essential goods, and strengthen national and regional economies. Simply put, "Focus on industries that countries cannot function without."
The other philosophy is this: Invent new technologies that seem to be from the future, take very large risks (more reason he lost his stock recently), solve ambitious scientific and engineering problems, and create products with global reach.
Now you see, they both have different purposes. One is focusing on today’s needs, on how you will survive today, while the other is thinking about your future. Let me tell you what an average man will ask: "Which one is more important?" Instead of asking himself, "What can I do too?" he would rather see it as a competition than a call to awakening. Well, to that, they both are important. A man needs to survive now, and a man who survive now still needs to be hopeful about his future. So, to that, we both need entrepreneurs like Dangote and Elon.
So I extend my opinion. I said, I think success should not be based on money alone. Measuring what these two people have done based on money might be a little bit off. You see, we humans are the most hypocritical beings, and we worship money every time. That is why that old widow with pennies was acknowledged as having given more than everybody in the temple that day even when there are other wealthy people.
If only you can pour all you have into all you truly desire, then you can have that success you want. Success should not be measured by money, position, achievement, or age. I think it should be measured in proportion to your divine assignment. If you don’t identify it, you have failed. If you identify it and neglect it due to circumstances, you have also failed. You might have all the money in life, but one thing is for sure: you have failed, and you will never find true happiness.
