The Lagos State High Court has ordered the Lagos State Administrator-General to take over the interim administration of the estate of the late billionaire industrialist and Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Chief Bode Akindele, amid a legal dispute over his Will.
It is really sad to see what is happening to the estates of many of our respected late fathers. In many cases, the children they left behind end up in prolonged legal battles over their properties and wealth.
I honestly do not understand what is happening with our children these days. How can the wealth that our fathers worked so hard to build become a source of division, bitterness and endless litigation among their own children?
Perhaps we need to start thinking differently about how we prepare for the future. The best legacy we can leave for our children may not necessarily be houses, companies, land and huge sums of money. We should give them the best education possible, teach them the values of responsibility, humility and unity, and prepare them to become good custodians of whatever we leave behind.
Personally, I also believe that instead of leaving everything to our children, we should consider establishing institutions that will benefit society. For example, we can set up an Ibadan Education Fund to support less-privileged Ibadan indigenes and give deserving young people access to quality education.
Then, whatever remains of our wealth can be transferred to our children in a structured and responsible manner, rather than leaving behind a fortune that may eventually tear the family apart.
At the end of the day, the greatest legacy is not the amount of wealth we leave behind, but the kind of people we raise and the positive impact we make on society.
May God give us the wisdom to build families that will remain united long after we are gone.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
