I’m your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki, and today I want to talk about something that weighs heavily on my heart—the urgent need for young people to find direction and purpose. As I stand in front of my son, Dr. Ufuoma apartment block, I’m reminded of how important it is to have clear goals in life. This street is named after Orovo Leo, the scientist who designed the jet propeller blade. That got me thinking about the significance of purpose in life.
Why do I do these videos? Why do I share my thoughts and experiences with you? The answer is simple: I didn’t always have direction. As a young man, I was just going with the flow—go to school, finish secondary school, get a degree. My father told me to become a doctor, and I did. But after all that, what next? After getting married, opening a hospital, what next?.
The Bible says we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which were prepared for us in advance. This means each of us has a responsibility and purpose. I always say, your design will determine your designation.
I could have easily gotten lost in life. Given the kind of background I came from, I could have ended up wild, destructive, or even become a militant in the Niger Delta. And I would have been a very dangerous one at that. But some things I learned from the Lord and from church molded me into who I am today. That’s why I feel a deep responsibility to mentor younger people, to guide them toward their purpose.
I recall a young medical doctor in Ghana who came up to me during a library opening. She’s part of my mentorship group, and she was so emotional, saying that I had become the father she never had. This made me realize how much young people need role models. They need someone to act as a guide, a father figure, and a mentor. A mentor provides a mold, a model, momentum, memories, and even money. A mentor helps you maximize your moments.
The truth is, experience is an expensive teacher, but mentoring is a cheaper way to gain that same experience. That’s why I do what I do—to provide hope for someone who might otherwise be lost or aimless.
Some people ask how I’ve gained so much knowledge despite not being the most naturally intelligent person. I tell them, I can teach you how to become who I am. I can replicate what has happened in my life. That’s why I’ve set a goal to raise 1 million African entrepreneurs, and we are on our way.
Remember, I have a conference coming up on the 8th and 9th of November, titled Becoming a Person of Influence. Don’t wait until the last minute to register. If you sign up before the end of the month, the fee will be lower. After that, the price goes up. To register, send a message to +234 802 121 9262. The earlier, the better!
There’s an urgent need for young people to find direction and purpose, and it’s never too late to start. God bless you.
