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.
Metro
Kogi Poly Withdraws 229 Students for Poor Academic Record
The Academic Board of Kogi State Polytechnic has approved the first semester results for the 2025/2026 academic session and withdrawn 229 students over poor academic performance.
The decision was taken at the Board’s meeting held on May 12, 2026, in Lokoja and chaired by the Rector, Professor Salihu Sanusi Avidime, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the acting Coordinator of Public Relations and Protocols, John Amos Onimisi.
The meeting had in attendance principal officers, deans, heads of departments and other members of the Academic Board, who deliberated on key academic issues affecting the institution.
Onimisi said the results were approved following a rigorous verification exercise conducted by the Academic Board Central Results Verification Committee.
He explained that the committee thoroughly reviewed and authenticated submissions from various departments to ensure accuracy, fairness and compliance with the polytechnic’s academic regulations.
“The committee’s report subsequently served as a critical guide in the Academic Board’s deliberations and final decisions on the results,” he stated.
The Rector was said to have commended members of the committee for their diligence, professionalism and commitment to maintaining academic standards in the institution.
The Board said the withdrawal of the 229 students is aimed at upholding academic excellence and preserving the integrity of certificates issued by the polytechnic.
It added that the decision is in line with existing academic regulations, and intended to promote discipline and encourage better academic performance among students.
Metro
Comedian AY Recounts Alex Ekubo’s Final Moments in Hospital
Comedian and actor, Ayo Makun aka AY, has recounted the final moments of actor Alex Ekubo before his death on May 11, 2026.
Ekubo reportedly died from complications following liver failure, having been diagnosed with stage four liver cancer in 2024.
AY, who was reportedly present at the hospital, said Ekubo was smiling at the time of his death.
He described the loss as difficult to accept and reflected on their shared experiences in the film industry over the years.
The comedian stated that he witnessed the grief of family and friends at the hospital, expressing shock at the actor’s passing.
AY added that Ekubo would be remembered for his contributions beyond film and public recognition.
“Some losses do not feel real no matter how many times you try to process them. Still struggling with the reality that you are gone, Alex.
“From the laughter to the conversations, the random moments, the brotherhood, and all the memories we shared in this industry. This one hurts deeply.
“I was there. I saw you still smiling even in death. I saw the tears from friends and family. And honestly, a part of me is still in shock. Rest well my brother. You will be remembered beyond the lights, the cameras, and the fame,” AY wrote.
Metro
Varsities Fix UTME Cut-off Scores After JAMB’s 150 Benchmark
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Monday, released the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off marks approved by universities across Nigeria for the 2026 admission exercise.
The cut-off marks were announced following the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.
According to the approved list, Pan-Atlantic University fixed the highest minimum cut-off mark at 220.
Several institutions, including the University of Benin, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Covenant University, Air Force Institute of Technology, and Obafemi Awolowo University, adopted 200 as their minimum benchmark.
JAMB stated that the approved figures represent the minimum thresholds for admission consideration.
The Board noted that institutions may still set higher requirements for competitive courses such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, and law.
Below is the full list of universities and their approved minimum UTME scores for the 2026 admission exercise:
Pan-Atlantic University – 220
Air Force Institute of Technology – 200
Covenant University – 220
Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta – 200
Obafemi Awolowo University – 200
University of Benin – 200
University of Ibadan – 200
University of Lagos – 200
University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 200
Lagos State University of Science and Technology – 195
Lagos State University – 195
Lagos State University of Education – 185
Afe Babalola University – 180
Ahmadu Bello University – 180
Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun – 180
Nigeria Police Academy – 180
Nigerian University of Technology and Management – 180
Shanahan University – 180
University of Abuja (Yakubu Gowon University) – 180
University of Ilorin – 180
University of Jos – 170
Augustine University – 170
Babcock University – 170
Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia – 170
Federal University, Lafia – 170
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology – 170
Nasarawa State University – 170
BITS University, Bwari – 170
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University – 160
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University – 160
Admiralty University of Nigeria – 160
African Aviation and Aerospace University – 160
Ajayi Crowther University – 160
Al-Hikmah University – 160
Bamidele Olumilua University – 160
Bayero University, Kano – 160
Bells University of Technology – 160
Caleb University – 160
Chrisland University – 160
Dominion University – 160
Emmanuel Alayande University of Education – 160
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta – 160
Federal University of Education, Pankshin – 160
Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo – 160
Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti – 160
Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi – 160
First Technical University – 160
Imo State University – 160
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management – 160
Karl Kumm University – 160
Kwara State University – 160
Landmark University – 160
Lead City University – 160
Modibbo Adama University – 160
Nnamdi Azikiwe University – 160
Olabisi Onabanjo University – 160
Osun State University – 160
Plateau State University – 160
Redeemer’s University – 160
Summit University – 160
Tai Solarin University of Education – 160
Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery – 160
University of Ilesa – 160
AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University – 150
Adamawa State University – 150
Adeleke University – 150
African School of Economics, Abuja – 150






