‘Banana Island Belonged To My Father But The Government Stole It’ – Remi Adeleke

My Dad left Nigeria🇳🇬 in his late teens to be educated in the West🇬🇧

After completing his bachelors and Masters in the UK🇬🇧, he created multiple business in the West 🇺🇸🇬🇧and generated more wealth than he could have ever imagined.

Dad brought all his talents and expertise back to Nigeria🇳🇬 with the hopes of creating a World Trade Center/African Wall Street.

When I was born in Nigeria🇳🇬 I was surrounded by wealth, servants, opulence and two loving parents who despite having it all, modeled the importance hard work, never being a victim and never being satisfied with mediocrity.

In 1987 the Nigerian government🇳🇬 illegally and corruptly stole all of my dad’s assets, including his man made island that’s now worth billions and was renamed to Banana Island.

While fighting the Nigerian government🇳🇬 in court, he mysteriously died weeks later.

We went from rich to poor over night.

Mom brought my brother and me to America🇺🇸

It wasn’t easy, as we literally started from the bottom in the Bronx🙅🏾

My brother and I applied what our parents instilled in us at an early age, and despite the plethora of mistakes I made, we both became very successful.

Without the opportunities America🇺🇸 has afforded my family, I’d be nothing. Yeah, America🇺🇸 isn’t perfect. We have our issues, just like every other country on the planet, but America🇺🇸 is one of the handful of places in the world where you can start with nothing, put in the work, and end up at the top.

I love this country🇺🇸, and I’m not ashamed to say it. And the moment I feel otherwise, I’m gonna pack my stuff up, teach my kids a new language and seek life elsewhere.

With that said, #HappyIndependenceDay 🇺🇸 #4thofjuly