Out of the many options, how do you want to be remembered? What legacy? What good do you want to be remembered for?
My dad was a lover of education. Right from his early days, he took education seriously. He would often say:
If I don’t get educated, then nothing else matters.
Now, he is running his PhD programme. He was once interested in medicine and surgery, but unfortunately, he became an engineer. Still, he is pursuing his PhD with great determination.
Right now, I am investing in that part of academics because that is what I have learnt from him. But you know what? I have added engineering, graphic design, blogging, and other social activities to my own path. Not that my dad isn’t social, but he doesn’t engage in blogging or social media work. Fair enough, he creates websites for his institution, but he is institution-oriented, and they pay him far less than the value of his investment.
Moving on, we don’t have anyone in the family who can play even a single musical instrument, and I believe we ought to be versatile. We should not be solely academically oriented. I must pass this on to my children—skills. This is what secures the future.
At present, I am learning numerous skills, and I plan to learn coding soon. This skill will be part of the daily activities of my children. I have learnt basic engineering work from my father, but I tell you, whether boy or girl, my children will know how to do basic engineering tasks. Self-reliance is key.
Is it a generator? I repair them. Is it human health? I have some knowledge and will soon delve more deeply into it. Look at the Chinese—they are technologically oriented. I will pass the nitty-gritty of basic computing to my children. I want them to diversify and not just focus on one skill or another.
Who told you I can’t hunt? I wear my shoes for hunting and other outdoor activities.
Who told you I don’t research? I have published two or three research articles, and I am highly sought after in universities for my skills.
Who told you I don’t farm?
I worked with my lecturer for one year on her PhD research programme, and we published at least two papers.
Our publications can be found below: 👇 👇 👇
I can’t fail in networking. 😂 My parents don’t do politics, but that shouldn’t be the reason why I avoid it. Many African parents perceive politics as a dirty game. In Nigeria, politics often earns people quick, unearned money through corrupt means. But that is not a reason to keep my children away from politics. No—change is always possible.
Who told you that I don’t farm? Sometimes ago, I planted yam and I harvested a lot of tubers to the extent that I gifted families and friends.
Now, I am working to build a poultry farm and a fish pond, but capital is the challenge.
Resources should come from different areas, not just one.
My children must be fine without me, even if I can’t leave them a large sum of money or property. I will create a legacy that positions them uniquely.
I won’t fail them. I won’t fail my generation in teaching them good manners. We will have family times where we go out and enjoy life.
That legacy will be built on God and prayer. Spirituality is vital.
I take photographs when I get a good camera, but video editing is another skill I’m eager to learn. As a man, I don’t have to learn everything just for fun, but in one way or another, everything is linked. You can’t talk about one thing without mentioning another.
Though there’s a saying:
Jack of all trades, master of none
…school taught me to strive for excellence in every subject. I can’t fail in one and expect to pass only in what I know best. Look at Aliko Dangote’s multiple investments—he’s even moving into bigger technology soon. That’s how it is. Planning is a skill; trading is another.
Self-reliance is a legacy I will pass on to my children.
Self-reliance was there when no one else was. It held me during the time I faced serious absence in payment ability (SAPA).
Self-reliance made me believe in my potential. It carried me to places I never expected, and with self-reliance, corruption, exam malpractice, and misplaced trust have no place.
It is the legacy I will leave for my children after I am gone.
Thanks for visiting my blog.