Metro
Be Intentional! Specialize and Engage the Power of Influence in 2022
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
What do you do? You have got to add something to that which make you unique. It is called, carving a niche for yourself. What are you into? What are you selling? Is it real estate? You had better asked God by prayer to give you a revelation that would make your company a rare one. Are you a lawyer? Ask God for a real revelation about legal services…become specialized! The Angel said about Jesus Christ: “His name shall be called Jesus, for He shall save people from sin.” That’s simply specialization. He would have only one job, He was named what His job is. That means, His area of specialization is “salvation”. That’s why Christ was so successful while on Earth, He stayed with His focus.
You were created with the seed of influence on the inside. The seed is in you, and that’s the gift from God Almighty, The Maker. You will never get your greatness from EDUCATION! Education cannot give you a seed, but can only refine the seed you have on the inside. That’s why it is important to know and understand your, so that you can take the right education.
Your seed is in you, already. Every one of you reading this article right now were born with a unique seed. Some people may not believe this, and that why I have got to prove to you that Trees never take their fruits to the market. I have never seen a Mango or Apple tree run you down to give you its fruits or seeds. The Mango or Apple tree simply bring forth its fruits, and the market comes to the tree for harvest.
As at 2007, My Mentor of Blessed Memory, Dr. Myles Monroe said, he had over 700 invitations to speak from different countries of the world for the year 2008. These people went looking for him on a little Island, miles wide, because he refined a seed in several ways and terms, by reading voraciously, listening to tapes and CDs of Masters in his areas of interests and calling, and ends up using theirs better than they had it. But some people might end up saying, I am not going to live like him, but that’s your personal issue, but why not learn from Masters who had lived, who are living and who would still live, and then make it better than they did it.
Whatever made great men to be what they were or are today, were learned from other Masters or professionals who had lived, but the way by which they release it is under their individual unique gifts. That’s why you must break your ego per time to consistently learn from others, listen to relevant tapes and CDs, read books and articles in your areas of interests and callings, because your ‘tree’ alone will never make a forest! Your little knowledge alone can’t give your wishes a ‘kingdom’ of its own in this generation. Above all things, you must learn to sit at the feet of Masters directly or indirectly. Closely or from afar by studying their beings via their deeds, books, tapes or CDs, write-ups and results or influence! Drop your ego! it won’t take you farther than you are; learn to live on the shoulders of giants to become relevant all through generations. It doesn’t matter being like them, what matter most is knowing what they know or knew so that you can know better. And, truly, this, is the authentic meaning of the principal thing called UNDERSTANDING – you must firstly stay under, learn under and earn under a Master or a giant before you can be trusted enough to stand on their shoulders to be greater than them, in all things, and among all beings (it is called a track-record). Listen to top minds in your areas of calling and harden not your heart – give entrance to the teachings that comes from them to you. Listen and absorb these teachings and make it sound like yours in your own unique ways according to the anointing or gifting which are embedded in you! this is called research – that is, searching deep into what had been searched, before. Then the world would pay you to hear it over and over again. And while you watch films or programmes on the Cable TVs, great men are busy studying, listening to tapes and CDs. Be kind to yourself enough not to be trapped by TV programmes and other irrelevant ideals that doesn’t edify your spirit man nor favour your course or beings or purpose. Reconstruct yourself with the right light of knowledge – you must know relevant things in this current age, so as to have an edge for ages to come. You can’t release what you have not eaten, you cannot give what you don’t have! Be true to yourself, be wise, not just for yourself, but also for those that are dying for the seeds or gift that you carry, which you have carelessly or ignorantly failed or refused to refine and release. Permit me to say that Cable TV is a ‘thief’, it steals your time and controls your emotion. You have got to manage that remote control of yours, otherwise, it will manage your life!
Refine your fruits, and people would come searching for you… you will be found! The year 2022 is the year of power, influence and double celebrations. If you are going to influence, you have got to find your gift, and those who need it would come and find you. For instance, when you want Mango or Apple, you got to locate the trees which carries them. How then does an Apple or Mango tree become one? Paul in the Bible says, “forget about the former things, you have got to forget about some things and some people”. Don’t be emotional about your destiny, but be intentional! One of the major secrets is found in the Book of Genesis 1:26-28. God created you in His Own Image, and said unto you:
i. Be Fruitful
ii. Multiply
iii. Replenish
iv. Subdue, and have dominion over all the earth.
i. God said, Be Fruitful! He never said be seed-ful! He knew He had already deposited the seeds in you, when He formed you. It is impossible to be fruitful unless you have seeds in you. it is seeds that brings forth fruits. The word ‘fruitful’ in the Hebrew word means to be productive. It doesn’t mean to have babies, alone. To produce means to be fruitful. To produce comes from life. The factories, manufacturing companies, shopping malls are mostly relevant because of their productivities from their production department, without it, all other department are dead areas. If you eat those nylon packs, cans, they will only kill you. it is the seeds which are packaged in those cans and bags that gives life. To be fruitful is the first ACT of God! That means, you must produce something after your kind, based on the seeds that you carry within you. It is a command to fulfil as human beings.
ii. Multiply – This means that, you have to reproduce what you produce.
iii. Replenish means to distribute your fruits or gifts. Don’t keep them to yourself.
iv. Subdue – this means to dominate the areas of your gifts.
Bill Gate, is a worthy exemplar in this context. He followed these procedures so effectively, which caused the entire government of America to come against him to break up his company. Bill Gate produced a fruit called the Microsoft Software, then he multiplied it, later distributed it, by replenishment, until he was able to subdue the market and control all systems to the point that the Congress had to call him to break the company. No one could have such power over America or the world. He became a dominated spirit. He dominated the world of software. He followed God’s plan for mankind. Whoever dominates, influences. Inside of you is a fruit trapped in the seed that you carry, and that seed must bring forth the tree carrying your fruits, then, you are charged to multiply your fruits, so that it can be distributed, then you can subdue your area of gifting. Here’s when you become known for something. You have become a brand of the seed that you carry to influencing your world!
As stated by the late Dr. Myles Monroe, “please ‘die’ after you are known for something!” To ‘die’ in this context means Self-discipline which requires isolation and processes in order to manifest!
What are you known for? You have got a lot of work to do, if you haven’t found purpose. When you hear the name Michael Jordan, what come to your mind? Basket-Ball! Tiger Woods is known for Golf! Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are known for Football, the late Dr. Myles Monroe was known for “Purpose Driving Life”, infact he was awarded in America with a trophy labelled Mr. purpose! Oprah Winferey is known for Talk Shows! Please, kindly as yourself, what am you known for? Please work on something, so hard and so smart in the year 2022, such that it becomes your name or identity! That’s simply your assignment. You will never find a Mango tree trying to produce Apple! They stay with their seeds. They produce after their kind. It stays with its germ, and germinates what it is. Human are the only creatures that brings forth all kind of things, anybody know what to pick from them. They are one thing today, and something else tomorrow. What exactly do you do? What exactly are you good at, such that you effortlessly command dominion in that area? Develop it! That’s your calling.
The keys to bearing fruits in this generation are:
i. The Seed must first be in the right environment. In the year 2022, choose your association wisely!
ii. Isolation: If you desire to become great, then you must practice the law of isolation. Isolate or separate yourself from friends that are wired to end your destiny! For a seed to become a tree, it must first be taken away from the earth and hidden under the ground. When they ask you, where have you been? Tell them, you have been studying! How come you no longer go to parties? Tell them, you have been listening to relevant tapes and CDs that develops the king in you to manifest in your areas of purpose on earth. Isolation aide germination. Every single seed must die for it to germinate. To ‘die’ means self –discipline. You die to friends, old habits, old association, old club life – cut them off! To develop yourself, you must be intentional, not emotional! A seed will not become a tree until it dies! Many people are poison, please beware! Help your destiny to move with those that carry the value that your destiny need to function and develop or manifest with! Light beget light! Follow after your cravings! If you are stupid, don’t follow stupid people. Don’t roll with the kind of people you will never deem fit to hire to grow higher! In 2022, you have got to change some of your friends.
iii. Germinate – every seed must germinate. This means that, you must motivate yourself from a source. You have got to find people who motivates you, that makes you to germinate, go to seminars that would improve that which you carry. Read books that would fine-tune your essence. You have got to be around people that helps you to germinate, those that would influence you to dream big and become bigger! Don’t move with scared people – people who are scared to dare big things. Run away from those that look down on the qualities on the virtues that you carry!
iv. You have got to Water the Seed – This means that you constantly develop a program to manage your development. That means, you must join organizations that improves the quality of your being, put yourself on a reading program. Discipline yourself to read at least two books, a month. You have got to water yourself to keep flourishing!
v. Fertilizer – this means that you have to refine and refresh your program to constantly grow yourself. Some people are poison. You do not need poison, you do not need pollution! What you need are refiners, boosters. May God give us wisdom to discern and stop keeping bad company. Bad company isn’t limited to those that smokes or drink, but those that subtracts from you and divides you! Move with those that adds to your values and multiply the grace that you carry!
vi. You need Sunshine. If you must develop this fruit tree, you need special networking. That means, you get to network with organizations and people who become your light. This is the specialty of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, our Saviour, God Almighty, Our Father in Heaven, and good friends in the Body of Christ and professional people who can lead you to higher ground. You need to network with people who can get you to where you need to get to. Your networks determine your net-worth. This year 2022, review your network, and see if your net is working.
vii. Pruning – Many don’t like this. If you must develop the fruits, there must be pruning. Pruning means, you have got to cut off some people, ideals, practices, habits, situations and opportunities which are liable to cut off your destiny! You have got to manage people, time and situations in your life. You can outgrow your friends, and when this happens, it’s time to leave. Always know when to leave people. When you start growing and your friend aren’t then, you become a misfit. Be careful! Run!
viii. Time – When you put a seed into the ground, it takes time for it to germinate. You can’t force it to grow. If you must maximize the year 2022 as your best year you have got to use your time wisely. Don’t rush growth! You have got to accept the processes. The processes are necessary for the purpose to be fulfilled. Process takes time and it requires patience! You can’t rush success, but you can guarantee it.
ix. Patience – when you start working with a tree, you plant a seed, and you have got to be patient. When you put a seed in a cup or into the ground, it takes its required time to grow, so, you have just got to be patient with the process of fulfilling purpose. Do you really know why many aren’t really growing? No patience! Great men are very patient people; they don’t emerge into greatness without having gone through the required processes without the instrumentality and practicality of patience. This is why there is so much crime rate in many part of the world today. People want instant success. They don’t want to work to pay for a CD player, they want to break into your house and get it, instantly. It is called CRIME! There is no other beautiful word to describe it. Crime is crime and those involved in its act are criminals. They don’t want to save and put money in the bank, rather, they want to just rob the bank. Delayed gratification? No! they can’t handle it. Take your time to complete the processes in school. Don’t quit! Hang on there, go for it! Attend that evening school. All trees need patience. One thing about trees is that, when it grows up to become big, it can withstand a whole lot of pressure because of its firm root which took time to sprout. Its stands there… because of patience.
I have taught you tonight, right into 2022… why? Because God has bought you over with a new attitude to Manifest, just as He intended for you.
Thank you all for reading.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has urged top chief executive officers in Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors to scale up their support for the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), saying the state must now embark on an ambitious upgrade of its security architecture built heavily around intelligence, surveillance, and rapid-response technology.
Speaking at LSSTF-Organised private breakfast meeting with Gov. Sanwo-Olu for Bank CEOs and industry leaders in Lagos, the Governor said Lagos cannot afford security complacency at a time when global and domestic threats are becoming more complex. He noted that the LSSTF model based on transparency, joint ownership, and year-on-year accountability remains central to the state’s ability to consistently maintain relative safety.
“We have built one of the strongest public-private security partnerships anywhere in Africa,” Sanwo-Olu said. “For almost two decades, the LSSTF has shown that when government and the private sector work together with transparency and consistency, you get real results. But we must now move to the next stage. Lagos is bigger, busier, and more exposed than ever, and our security infrastructure must reflect that reality.”
The Governor explained that Lagos is currently overhauling its Command and Control Centre originally built over 15 years ago and migrating it into a more sophisticated nerve centre capable of integrating thousands of CCTV feeds, emergency calls, and multi-agency field operations in real time.
“Our Command centre has served Lagos well for over a decade, but technology has evolved,” he said. “We are rebuilding it into a state-of-the-art operations hub that can support modern surveillance tools, digital tracking systems, and faster coordination. This is essential for the Lagos of today.”
He revealed that while the state initially planned to deploy between 5,000 and 10,000 CCTV cameras, fewer than 1,000 are currently installed due to technological and funding limitations.
“We need to scale up massively,” the Governor stressed. “Cameras have become as important as patrol vehicles. They help us see, track, and respond before situations escalate. Lagos must not fall behind.”
Sanwo-Olu said the state is also strengthening its aerial surveillance capacity through a mix of helicopters, drones, and marine monitoring devices to enable faster emergency response, search-and-rescue operations, and monitoring of emerging high-density and waterfront communities.
“In today’s world, drones are not luxury tools, they are essential assets,” he noted. “We are working with Nigerian innovators to build drone systems tailored for Lagos. If global investors can fund local tech talent, we have no excuse not to support them ourselves.”
The Governor emphasized that security funding cannot be left solely to the government, noting that the private sector stands to gain the most from a stable, secure Lagos. “Security is the backbone of investment,” he said. “Your banks, your offices, your personnel, your assets, they all depend on a safe operating environment. We are doing our part, but we need your support to expand the tools and technology that keep Lagos safe.”
Sanwo-Olu added that Lagos currently funds more than half of the state’s overall security expenditure, providing vehicles, communication tools, protective gear, and logistics support to the Nigeria Police, military formations, FRSC, NDLEA, NSCDC and other agencies.
“The Lagos State Government has never taken the back seat,” he said. “But security challenges today require greater intelligence capabilities, more surveillance infrastructure, and better mobility equipment. This is where your contributions make the difference.”
He also pointed to the growing skyline of Lagos, with more than seventeen skyscrapers buildings coming in the State, and the expanding population as urgent reasons to invest in new-generation tools. “How do we secure these new developments without stronger surveillance? How do we protect millions of residents without better intelligence systems?” he asked. “The future of Lagos depends on the investments we make now.”
The Governor again introduced the newly appointed Executive Secretary/CEO of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, describing him as “a reliable and committed security professional who understands both the operational and strategic needs of the Fund.”
Gov. Sanwo-Olu praised the continuity of the LSSTF Board, noting that its stability and adherence to transparent reporting have sustained credibility for nearly two decades. “Every year, independent auditors and the public are able to see exactly how the Fund is run,” he said. “That level of accountability is why partners keep supporting us.”
Sanwo-Olu concluded by reaffirming that Lagos’ future as a global economic hub rests on the foundation of safety. “Our goal is simple,” he said. “We want a Lagos that is safe, resilient, and globally competitive. To achieve this, we need to deepen our investments in surveillance, intelligence, and rapid response. This is not just government business, it is a shared commitment. Let us secure tomorrow together.”
Earlier on his part, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan noted that private sector-led funding is vital for the security funding agency, LSSTF to achieve its mandate in this New Year. He cited that virtually all security agencies in Lagos now look towards the Agency for support, but it will only meet those needs when it gets the private sector to own the security agenda in Lagos. He listed some of the critical security needs for 2026 to include multipurpose security helicopters and drones, APCs and water cannons, digital communication equipment, and smart CCTV cameras. Others are tactical training and infrastructural upgrades for the Police, operational vehicles, and ultramodern mechanical workshops.
Ogunsan calls for more contributions to the funding agency, “Security is not a cost to business. It is a risk mitigation strategy and a business enabler. A security risk translates to uninterrupted operations, protected assets, investor confidence, stable supply chains, and a vibrant social environment where talent and capital are attracted and retained. Every contribution to Lagos state security trust fund is deployed transparently and strategically based on clearly identified operational needs and approval by a predominantly private sector-led board. Your support directly strengthens the capacity of those charged with protecting the very environment in which your businesses operate.”
Meanwhile, the LSSTF’s CEO thanked the governor for his remarkable support to the agency, “May I also say that Mr. Governor has contributed immensely to providing most of the items I’ve enumerated, and we must thank him for that. He has consistently supported us. But we just need to do more. We need to do more so that we keep the state running, and that’s why we have come to you.”
By Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
“Leadership for our age is measured not by the height of the throne, but by the depth of its roots in integrity, the breadth of its embrace of collective talent, and the courage to cultivate systems that bear fruit for generations yet unseen” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD.
Leadership today is at a crossroad. Around the world, in our communities, and within our organizations, old ways of leading are straining under new pressures. This isn’t just a theoretical discussion; it’s about the quality of our daily lives, the success of our businesses, and the future of our nations. Let’s walk through the current trends, understand their very real impacts, and then explore practical, hands-on solutions that can unlock a better future for everyone.
Part 1: The Leadership Landscape – Where We Stand
The Global Picture: Beyond the Solo Leader
The image of the all-powerful, decisive leader at the top of a pyramid is fading. Today, effective leadership looks different. It’s more about empathy and service than authority. People expect their leaders—in companies and governments—to be authentic, to listen, and to foster teams where everyone feels safe to contribute. Furthermore, leadership is now tightly linked to purpose and responsibility. It’s no longer just about profits or power; stakeholders demand action on climate, fair treatment of workers, and ethical governance. Leaders must also be tech-savvy guides, helping their people navigate constant digital change while dealing with unpredictable global events that disrupt even the best-laid plans.
Africa’s Dynamic Challenge: Youth and Promise
Africa’s story is one of incredible potential meeting stubborn challenges. The continent is young, energetic, and full of innovative spirit. Yet, this tremendous asset often feels untapped. Too frequently, a gap exists between this rising generation and established leadership structures, leading to frustration. While the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a historic chance for economic unity, it requires leaders who think beyond their own borders. At the same time, democratic progress sometimes stalls, with leaders clinging to power. The most pragmatic leaders are those who engage with the vibrant informal economy—the hustlers, market traders, and artisans—who form the backbone of daily life and hold the key to inclusive growth.
Nigeria’s Pressing Reality: Crisis and Resilience
In Nigeria, the leadership experience often feels like moving from one emergency to the next. Attention is consumed by immediate crises—security threats, economic swings, infrastructure breakdowns—making long-term planning difficult. This has triggered a profound loss of confidence, visibly seen in the “Japa” phenomenon, where skilled professionals leave seeking stability and opportunity abroad. This brain drain is a direct critique of the system. Politics remains deeply influenced by ethnic and regional loyalties, which can overshadow competence and national vision. Yet, in the face of these trials, a remarkable spirit of entrepreneurial resilience shines through. Nigeria’s business people and tech innovators are daily solving problems and creating value, often compensating for wider systemic failures.
Part 2: The Real-World Impact – How This Affects Us All
These trends are not abstract; they touch lives, businesses, and countries in tangible ways.
· On Everyday People: When leadership is perceived as self-serving or ineffective, trust evaporates. People feel anxious about the future and disconnected from their leaders. This can manifest as cynicism, social unrest, or the difficult decision to emigrate. The struggle to find good jobs, feel secure, and build a future becomes harder, deepening inequalities.
· On Companies and Organizations: Businesses operate in a tough space. They face a war for talent, competing to retain skilled employees who have global options. They must also navigate unpredictable policies, provide their own power and security, and balance profitability with rising demands for social responsibility. The burden of operating in a challenging environment increases costs and risk.
· On Nations: Countries plagued by poor governance face a competitiveness crisis. They struggle to attract the kind of long-term investment that builds economies. Policy becomes unstable, changing with political winds, which scares off investors and stalls development. Ultimately, this can destabilize not just one nation but entire regions, as problems like insecurity and migration spill across borders.
Part 3: A Practical Pathway Forward – Building Leadership That Delivers
The situation is complex, but it is not hopeless. Turning things around requires deliberate, concrete actions focused on systems, not just individuals.
1. Fortify Institutions with Transparency and Merit.
We must build systems so strong that they work regardless of who is in charge.
· Action: Legally protect key institutions—the electoral body, the civil service, the courts—from political interference. Appointments must be based on proven competence and integrity, not connections.
· Action: Implement technology-driven transparency. Let citizens track government budgets and projects in real time through public online portals. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
2. Bridge the Gap Between Leaders and the Led.
Leadership must become a conversation, not a monologue.
· Action: Create mandatory Youth Advisory Councils at all levels of government and in large corporations. Give young people a formal platform to contribute ideas and hold leaders accountable on issues like education, digital innovation, and job creation.
· Action: Leaders must adopt regular, unscripted “town hall” meetings and use simple digital platforms to explain decisions and gather feedback directly from citizens and employees.
3. Channel Entrepreneurship into National Solutions.
Harness the proven problem-solving power of the private sector.
· Action: Establish Public-Private Impact Partnerships. For example, the government can partner with tech companies to roll out digital identity systems or with agribusinesses to build modern farm-to-market logistics. Clear rules and shared goals are key.
· Action: Launch National Challenge Funds that invite entrepreneurs and researchers to compete to solve specific national problems, like local clean energy solutions or affordable healthcare diagnostics, with funding and market access as the prize.
4. Redeploy Nigeria’s Greatest Export: Its Diaspora.
Turn the brain drain into a brain gain.
· Action: Create a Diaspora Knowledge & Investment Bureau. This agency would actively connect Nigerians abroad with opportunities to mentor, invest in startups, or take up short-term expert roles in Nigerian institutions, transferring vital skills and capital.
· Action: Offer tangible incentives, like tax breaks or matching funds, for diaspora-led investments in critical sectors like healthcare, renewable energy, and vocational training.
5. Cultivate a New Mindset in Every Citizen.
Ultimately, the culture of leadership starts with us.
· Action: Integrate ethics, civic responsibility, and critical thinking into the core curriculum of every school. Leadership development begins in the classroom.
· Action: Celebrate and reward “Local Champions”—the honest councilor, the community organizer, the business owner who trains apprentices. We must honor integrity and service in our everyday circles to reshape our collective expectations.
Conclusion: The Work of Building Together
The challenge before us is not to find a single heroic leader. It is to participate in building a better system of leadership. This means championing institutions that work, demanding transparency in our spaces, mentoring someone younger, and holding ourselves to high ethical standards in our own roles.
For Nigeria and Africa, the possibility of a brighter future is not a dream; it is a choice. It is the choice to move from complaining about leaders to building leadership. It is the choice to value competence over connection, to seek common ground over division, and to invest in the long-term health of our community. This work is hard and requires patience, but by taking these practical steps—starting today and in our own spheres—we lay the foundation for a tomorrow defined by promise, stability, and shared success. The power to deliver that possibility lies not in one person’s hands, but in our collective will to act.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a globally recognized scholar-practitioner and thought leader at the nexus of security, governance, and strategic leadership. His mission is dedicated to advancing ethical governance, strategic human capital development, and resilient nation-building, and global peace. He can be reached via: tolulopeadegoke01@gmail.com, globalstageimpacts@gmail.com
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man over alleged fake bomb threat messages to two private schools in Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA).
The suspect was tracked and arrested on January 24 in the Okota area of Lagos State following digital investigations.
According to the sources, the suspect allegedly sent WhatsApp messages threatening a fire explosion to the Human Resources Manager of AVI–CEENA School and the Chief Security Officer of Grange School, both located in Ikeja GRA.
Although the messages were sent from an unknown phone number, police said digital tracking led to the identification and arrest of the suspect, identified as Kosisochukwu Chukwuekenyem Ogbumuo.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.
Police said inquiries are ongoing to determine the motive behind the threats and whether other individuals were involved.
The Lagos State Police Command reassured parents, school authorities and residents of Ikeja GRA of its commitment to maintaining security and preventing panic or disruption within the education sector.
