Hello, I’m Dr. Charles Apoki, and today, I want to speak to you about something that’s been on my heart for a long time: the importance of not dropping the baton in the race of life, especially when it comes to passing on a legacy to the next generation.
Life is like a relay race. Just like in the Olympics, where nations like Nigeria, Jamaica, and the United States battle for gold in the 100m relay, there’s a baton exchange that has to happen seamlessly. If the baton is dropped, you lose the race. Similarly, in life, we must carefully pass on not just our wealth, but our principles, philosophies, practices, and values to the generations that follow.
I have been reflecting on this lesson from the Bible and my own life. My father, a man of strength and vision, taught me about the value of real estate early on. I remember buying my first property in my late 20s and building my first house in my early 30s when cement cost just 50 naira per bag. Back then, owning property was a symbol of success, and it became a foundation for my journey into wealth.
However, I’ve seen firsthand the damage when the baton is dropped. Some children, despite having been handed great opportunities, squander them. I once saw the son of a very wealthy man walking across the road, not leveraging the wealth his father had passed down to him. This is a painful reality, and it’s a warning to us all: don’t be the one to drop the baton in your family’s relay race.
In civilized societies, businesses are often passed down from generation to generation. Companies like Tata Corporation, Beretta, and Martinelli’s wine have been operating for centuries, handed down through families who understood the importance of legacy. These families didn’t just inherit wealth; they inherited a mindset, a work ethic, a vision that outlived them.
As Christians, we need to adopt this mindset. Life is not just about spirituality, it’s about balancing that with the wisdom of earthly practices such as ownership, education, and enterprise. God intends for each generation to build on the successes of the previous one. If we’re not doing that, we’re failing in our responsibility.
In my father’s generation, it was important to pursue education and own property. These were the keys to breaking the chains of poverty. Today, these things still matter, but too many people are obsessed with fleeting pleasures instead of building lasting legacies. We need to teach our children what matters: education, hard work, real estate, and above all, morality and spirituality.
Just like Abraham, who bought land that was later passed down through generations, we must think long-term. Abraham bought the land where he and his descendants would be buried. This wasn’t just an act of securing a burial place—it was a legacy. It was a statement of ownership and vision. He knew that the land was valuable, and he made sure it was documented properly, ensuring that his descendants would inherit it.
We must ask ourselves: What are we leaving for our children? Are we building businesses or simply living for today? Are we investing in properties or spending our wealth on temporary pleasures? Will our children inherit principles or just material things?
In Nigeria, and in many parts of the world, there is a culture of transferring generational poverty, not wealth. We must change this narrative. Our children should not inherit our mistakes but our wisdom. It’s not enough to just buy cars and live lavishly. We must create systems and legacies that will endure.
So, I urge you: Don’t drop the baton. Don’t let the next generation inherit confusion, debt, and disarray. Instead, pass on a legacy of wisdom, education, real estate, and entrepreneurship. This is how we transform families, communities, and nations.
Remember, life is a transgenerational relay race, and it’s up to us to make sure we don’t drop the baton.
Let’s make sure we’re all running the race with purpose and vision.
God bless you.
