A Nigerian development worker in the Netherlands

Rotterdam -  Godian, our guide for the day, comes from Nigeria, a vast country with numerous natural resources and a population whose size, despite its poverty, makes it an interesting market. I saw that with my own eyes when I was there not so long ago. I met an English family that had grown rich on the glue for Guinness bottle labels. In the tubs of water that people use to keep the bottles cold, the glue turned to go. The Englishman found a solution and, since Nigerians drink more Guinness than any other nation, his invention proved extremely lucrative. A Swedish entrepreneur has made a killing with toothpicks; there is lots of tough meat in Nigeria. There is no shortage of such inventive entrepreneurs and in the early 1990s Godian and his brothers conceived a plan to begin a charter flight company to fly these businessmen from one meeting to another, a good idea in a country with poor roads and constant traffic jams.In order to get his pilot licence, in 1993 Godian went to Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands. He was a quick and eager student. The flying instructor frequently invited Godian to his home to eat with his family. All that was left was to pass his exam and he could go home. During the exam flight everything went smoothly until both engines suddenly failed. Things didn’t look good. The instructor despaired for his wife and children if he were not to survive. Godian began to pray and promised God that he would devote his life to serving the Lord if he survived. With no clear explanation, the engines kicked in again and they landed safely. Then Godian realised that he had made a promise. And for the second time. Once before he had miraculously escaped a life-threatening situation. He could see no option but to live up to his promise this time: he reported to the Bishopric of Haarlem, where he took his training to become an ecumenical pastor. You don’t imagine such a thing: a Nigerian development worker who becomes a missionary devoted to the welfare of Dutch cities.
Lino Hellings – Rotterdam Lab