Lamentations of Taribo West Over the Death of Peter Rufai | You Are Disposable; Be Wise
I’m your Friend, Dr. Charles Apoki, and I want to talk about some fundamental truths based on a video of former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West.
Taribo West recently lamented the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai. According to Taribo West, when Rufai needed help, he was left alone. His family had to resort to soliciting funds from his former colleagues. This is a sad but necessary lesson to learn: no matter where you work or who you work for, you are 99% of the time disposable.
The Importance of Planning
You must plan early for your future. Set aside resources and structures that will protect you if the need arises. A pastor I knew built a large church but died without a home of his own. When I complained, a young man asked, “Whose fault is that?” If you had opportunities, fame, and money but did not use them to secure your future, whose fault is it when you are in need?
Building Networks
Build networks outside your immediate professional and social circles. These networks will attract resources and opportunities. Don’t limit yourself to your workplace, denomination, profession, tribe, or locality. Create relevance outside these confines very early in your career. Nurture, activate, and service these relationships, as they will be crucial when your fame fades.
Creating a Legacy
Start small things when you are young that can grow in value and relevance as you get older. Create history and make an impact, but most importantly, leave a legacy. Build something you can always fall back on. This includes having liquid assets like real estate, shares, bonds, or other investments that you can convert to cash when you need it.
Politics and Prophecy
Taribo West prayed passionately for a presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, but is now complaining about the system. A man of God should align with sound, proven, and politically clean candidates, not follow contracts or temporary benefits. You cannot blame President Tinubu for Peter Rufai’s death. The issue is with the people in the system. Injustice happens to people not because of “Nigeria” as a country, but because of individuals who fail to do the right thing, appreciate their heroes, or follow the rule of law.
Nigerian politicians can make a true prophet a liar. Politics is a human creation and a science that can be analyzed and predicted. Do not become a prophet for politicians. I’ve seen it happen many times where pastors have claimed a particular leader was ordained by God to change Nigeria, but nothing changed.
The Fleeting Nature of Fame
When you are honored, make maximum use of the opportunities, fame, and money to create passive income so that you won’t need to depend on others in the future. When the iron is hot, that’s when you can mold it. When I give lectures, people buy my books while I am there, but they forget about me once I leave. The same is true for the people who once gave me gifts and treated me like a celebrity; they have since moved on to the next guest preacher.
My wife and I planned for our lives and built a foundation so that if I am no longer invited to speak, I can still live a comfortable life. There is a life outside of politics and your current profession.
