Wow! read more. Meet the new leader of Nigerian Pilots, who was once a Labourer

The president, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers and national

leader of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Comrade Isaac Balami has let out

a heart-chilling story on how he started his career on a humble pedestrian, having

gone through unimaginable poverty.

Belami who marked his birthday anniversary on the 25th of August 2016, with

painters, masons and a host of others who engage in menial jobs in Abuja, told

them and others his story just to inspire them in order not to give up on their

lives.

Addressing the crowd after the birthday, Belami who is also the founder of the

Nigeria Rebirth Project, said 18 years ago, he was struggling with life, and that at

one point, he was a painter, after which he became a suck-away evacuator and

later became a mason. He said he tried his hands in suya business and other jobs

while struggling with life.

According to him, "Who would have thought that a mere painter just 18 years ago

could become the national president of the Association of Nigerian Pilots and

Engineers? Who would have thought that an ordinary mason just 16 years ago

could become the past spokesperson of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria? Who

would have thought that a filthy and stenchy soak-away evacuator from the

North-Eastern part of Nigeria could become the president of Arewa youth

consultative forum?

Who would have thought that a man who could hardly afford a daily meal could

cater for over 500 widows and sponsor nearly 500 children in school as a

commitment from a foundation he owns? Who would have thought that a helpless

man who faced a lot of challenges would be the founder of Nigeria Rebirth

Project?,’’ he asked rhetorically.

Read his speech below:

"Friends, every 25th of August is not just to celebrate my birthday but a day to

reflect over the past and revel in the present.

"Who would have thought that a mere painter just 18 years ago could become the

national president of the Association of Nigerian Pilots and Engineers? Who would

have thought that an ordinary mason just 16 years ago could become the past

spokesperson of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria?Who would have thought that a

filthy and stenchy soak-away evacuator from the North-Eastern part of Nigeria

could become the president of Arewa youth consultative forum? Who would have

thought that a man who could hardly afford a daily meal could cater for over 500

widows and sponsor nearly 500 children in school as a commitment from a

foundation he owns?

"Who would have thought that a helpless man who faced a lot of religious and

ethnic discrimination would be the founder of Nigeria Rebirth Project?: its

unveiling had a convergence of 66 ambassadors of nations and well over 20 state

governors’ wives. Who would have thought that a young man whose fellow

students refer to as Mai suya could build BD Hub, the largest hub in Africa. I

could count on the seemingly odd and unfavourable pebbles life threw at me as a

young man.

"But I tell you something friends, God raised me up! God raised me above those

stormy seas. If you are looking for the man that should have amounted to nothing

either by hard work or background, it is me! But God in His amazing grace

brought me where I am today and I will not lose touch with that fact.

"So on the 25th of August being my birthday, I had the singular honor and

privilege to celebrate with my friends once again, just like we have always done

over the years. The ones doing the dirty and menial jobs in Abuja. The ones

always reminding me of my past. The masons, carpenters, diggers, painters et al.

The ones I could have looked down on because of my present status in the

society.

"Then I discovered something. I am in no way better than them. It was just God

that made my life this enviable. A few of my friends who do not know me too well

think I was born with silver spoon. They accuse me of trying to inspire them

because I had a very smooth background. Let me reiterate once again that God is

the reason for my success story. Not my academic prowess or intellectual

property. So I took time to hang outwith these great men after their day’s job. We

gisted, danced, cut the cake, ate and drank in merriment.They got motivated by

me and I in turn got inspired by them. What a symbiotic atmosphere that was!

"God willing, I wish to do this for the rest of my life. Forgetting them is forgetting

my life and forgetting my life is simply forgetting God who makes all things

possible. I dread that day and I pray it does not come.

"This is a clarion call on every great dreamer out there, most especially the

hustlers in these hard economic times. Do not give up! Do not give in! Keep

keeping on! If God could place me this high, He will do the same for you, even

more, only if you will not stop believing."