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Personality in Focus

Cheers, Henry Ukazu Waxes Stronger

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4 years ago

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By Abdulakeem Sodeeq Sulyman 

Life’s essence is not in the thing that can be counted, but the things you make count through your time-bound journey of life” – Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN 

Considering the schedules ahead of me during this twilight of one of my academic pursuits, I am so sure people in my fold won’t believe I am involving in this task of writing about someone else. But because of the bond between Henry Ukazu and I and the respect we accorded one another, penning this piece is highly unavoidable for me, especially based on the feedback I received on my celebratory messages to him exactly this time last year.
With all humility and deep sense of appreciation, I think am duly qualified to write about the personality of Henry Ukazu, based on the mutuality we shared. I am his brother, acquaintance, a protégé and based on the mystery that surrounds how we connected, I have no doubt that joining the fold of Henry Ukazu is divinely ordained! Assuming I knew Henry Ukazu through anyone, that person might have cut the link by envying the north-ward spiral of the trust and confidence he reposed in me.
I had known Henry Ukazu since around 2017 through his weekly article – Adding Values – in The Boss Newspaper, which I am a devoted reader of. However, as nature has designed it to happen, Exactly 33 days after the sudden and tragic demise of my dear elder brother and friend, Sulyman Luqman. I had the opportunity of speaking with Henry Ukazu on the 18th of April, 2020, when his United States’ phone number was mistakenly copied below his article.
Ingenuity compelled me to message him on WhatsApp which he swiftly replied, asking me what he could do for me. As at that time, the manuscript of my second book was at an advanced stage and I fired my shot by informing him of my request to write the foreword of the book. He granted my request as a welcome gift and also ensured that the book was an outstanding success. The lesson that resonates with me all the time through my connection with him is this: “Anytime we are meeting people for the first time, the purpose of that meeting must be defined because its outcomes will influence the life span of our engagement with such people.”
In one of John C. Maxwell’s books, he uses Five “S” – Surface, Structured, Secured, Solid and Significant – to depict Levels of Relationships. Leveraging these levels was my joker that day! As our relationship progresses, I learned that Henry Ukazu is a rare persona that is very easy to relate and mingle with once you have values to share. His primary principle of life revolves around values. Other things that endear him in people are sound characters, conviction to live an impactful life and high sense of gratitude.
The four qualities I pinpointed will be used to describe how mine and other people’s mats of roses were laid with him. Henry Ukazu sees values as a sum total of your skills and competences to identify problems, understand every element that constitutes the problems and be able to proffer solutions to the problems identified. He admires analytical and detailed-oriented people, since he himself as a trained lawyer knows that nothing earns him triumph more than the weight of the punches he can throw during cross examinations.
Many times, Henry Ukazu has sacrificed his comfortability in order to be of value to other people’s lives. One of those times I can vividly remember was January this year when he came to Nigeria and had a speaking engagement in Enugu State. The convener of the event, a UN envoy, mother and professor of English Literature in a reputable university in the United States suggested his speech be delivered via Zoom, but Henry Ukazu insisted on speaking with the audience physically so that they would be inspired and motivated by the carriage he radiates and the passion he exudes.
He delivered the speech and earned a standing ovation from every member of the audience. How else can one be valuable? Henry Ukazu believes that values become a potent asset when it is refined with sound characters. Characters to him are sets of consistent principles guiding how one lives. No matter your material possessions, you are perceived wretched and poverty-stricken when you are character flawed! He connects with people as a believer of “golden rule,” and also relates with people as a practitioner of “platinum rule.”
A short interaction with Henry Ukazu will affirm to anyone that he is passionate about his conviction to impact lives. Spending some seconds or minutes with Henry Ukazu will tempt you to probe your existence and ignite and fuel in you the inspiration and intrinsic refinement you need to champion a life that best reflects your values and characters. With no iota of doubt, Henry Ukazu’s personality radiates influence. Despite being a resident of the United States, his patriotism and commitment to civic duty are top-notch!
The other time I walked by Henry Ukazu’s side in his village, “Nnwane” was a familiar ring tone from the people greeting him. Although, “Nnwane” means “my mother’s child” in Igbo, but the question is, is it every native people that were given to by the same parents? I was fully left in awe when the majority of those who greeted him were acknowledging his impacts on them through his articles and Instagram Live shows. Henry Ukazu is their hero and beacon of hope.
Someone says, “The essence of your life is not the numbers in it, but the number of lives in it.” The impacts of Henry Ukazu on other people’s lives are not limited to his community, village or State of Imo. His impacts transcended ethnicity, color, race or religion. I have been instrumental in his kind gesture to students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across Nigeria. I am coordinating a group of secondary school students that receives his scholarships every term. How else can life be meaningful and impactful?
The ability to practice what one preaches is the highest positive example anyone can lay for others to emulate. This quality is present in Henry Ukazu to the core. Despite his class and status, he doesn’t care to deploy every resource at his disposal to express gratitude to anyone that does good to him. Statuses and posts on his personal social media handles are always filled with deep, sincere and profound appreciations of individuals who played valuable roles in his life. If you want to confirm this, kindly read the “Acknowledgement Page” of his first book – “Design Your Destiny: Actualizing Your Birthright to Success.”
Henry Ukazu’s story has helped reinvent thousands of lives because of the defining moments he used to shine the torches on his path’s personal transformation, distinction and spiritual illumination. As you have laced your life with meaning and purpose, may respect, honour, success and greatness be channeled towards you. You have sewn seeds whose flowers are sparkling the lives of millions. May you keep elevating and always have reasons to be celebrated as the days of your life blazes forth.
Happy birthday, Dear Mentor.
Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN is a Librarian and Information Scientist in view, resolute in academics and personal leadership. He is the prolific author of two books – Responsible Living: Live to Uncover Your Potential and The Path to Greatness.
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Personality in Focus

Ooni of Ife Loses Elder Brother Prince Adetunji

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2 days ago

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July 20, 2026

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has announced the passing of his immediate elder brother, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi.

The monarch made the announcement in a statement released on Sunday through the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal.

Describing the late prince as a respected businessman and compassionate leader, the Ooni said Prince Adetunji lived a life dedicated to service, humility and the wellbeing of others.

According to the statement, the death of Prince Adetunji has left a deep void in the Ogunwusi family, the Ojaja Royal Dynasty and the entire Ile-Ife Kingdom.

Prince Adetunji, who was born on December 8, 1967, was a member of the Ojaja lineage of the Giesi Ruling House in Ile-Ife. He was also the Group Chairman of Primewaterview Holdings, where he earned recognition for his contributions to business development and entrepreneurship.

The Ooni noted that his late brother built a reputation as an innovative entrepreneur and visionary leader. Through his business activities, he created opportunities for many people and contributed to economic growth in different sectors.

The monarch further stated that beyond his achievements in business, Prince Adetunji was known for his generosity, kindness and commitment to humanitarian causes. He was said to have quietly supported many individuals and families, offering assistance, guidance and encouragement whenever needed.

The statement added that Prince Adetunji’s influence extended beyond the corporate world, as he remained deeply connected to his roots and maintained a strong interest in the progress and development of Ile-Ife and its people.

The Ooni described his late brother as a dependable adviser, a loving family member and a man whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Family members, friends, associates and well wishers have continued to pay tribute to the late prince, remembering him for his humility, wisdom and positive impact on society.

The palace said further details regarding funeral arrangements and other ceremonies would be announced by the family in due course.

Prince Adetunji’s death marks a significant loss to the royal family and the people of Ile-Ife, who will remember him for his service, leadership and dedication to humanity.

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Personality in Focus

NBA Election: Badejo-Okusanya Coasts to Victory, Becomes 2nd Female President

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2 days ago

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July 19, 2026

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has elected Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as its next president after she polled the most votes when voting officially ended Sunday morning.
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‎Mrs Badejo-Okusanya, the only female among the three presidential candidates, polled 12,317 votes to emerge the winner of the election, which was held through electronic voting for 24 hours. from 7:35 a.m. on Saturday to 7:34 a.m. on Sunday
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‎She defeated her two challengers, polling 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 ballots cast in the presidential election, based on the final tally…

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Personality in Focus

Britain Get New Prime Minister, Andy Burnham

Published

3 days ago

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July 19, 2026

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Nearly a month after Keir Starmer’s resignation, former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, one of the most popular politicians in Britain, will become the country’s seventh prime minister in 10 years.

The move was made possible after Burnham won a byelection in the Makerfield constituency by a wide margin. He was then appointed as the leader of the ruling Labour Party on Friday, confirming him as Starmer’s successor.

A long political career

“Everyone can feel the country isn’t where it should be,” 56-year-old Burnham said after his Makerfield election victory, in remarks that already sounded distinctly prime ministerial. “From here on I will give everything I have got to make it so. To ensure the name Makerfield is forever synonymous with bringing about the change this country needs, bringing back something we’ve lost ― hope ― hope for the future.”

Burnham is seen as a leading figure on Labour’s moderate-left wing and has decades of experience in both national and regional politics. He first entered Parliament in 2001. Under Prime Minister Tony Blair, he served as a junior minister at the Home Office before Blair’s successor, Gordon Brown, appointed him to roles at the Finance Ministry, the Department for Culture, and later as health secretary.

Burnham even ran for the Labour leadership twice, in 2010 and 2015. In 2017, he left Parliament to become mayor of Greater Manchester, a region of around 2.8 million people in northern England. He has since won reelection twice, most recently getting nearly two-thirds of the vote.

Among Burnham’s most notable achievements in Manchester is the expansion of affordable public transportation. Housing and health care have also been central priorities throughout his time as mayor. He is critical of Brexit, the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2020, and describes himself as an advocate of “pro-business socialism.”

During the COVID pandemic, Burnham locked horns with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, demanding greater financial support for businesses and workers affected by lockdown restrictions. The confrontation and his general success in Manchester earned him the nickname “King of the North.”

In the past few years, Burnham’s main criticism of his Labour Party colleague Keir Starmer has focused on the prime minister’s cuts to welfare spending. Which policies Burnham would pursue should he succeed as prime minister has so far largely remained undefined.

A working-class northerner

Burnham is deeply rooted in the former mining and industrial communities of northern England. Born in 1970 in Aintree, near Liverpool, he grew up in the village of Culcheth with his father working as a technician and his mother as a medical assistant.

While studying English at Cambridge University, Burnham later said he often felt like an outsider. Inspired by the miners’ strike of the mid-1980s, he joined the Labour Party at the age of 14.

He’s been a lifelong supporter of Everton Football Club. His wife is Dutch, and the couple has three children. Burnham also has a tattoo of the worker bee — a symbol of industry and solidarity — on his right upper arm.

Today, Burnham is among the most popular politicians in the United Kingdom, and many supporters see him as Labour’s best hope of countering the rise of the right-wing populist Reform UK party of Nigel Farage.

Yet since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the office of British prime minister has become somewhat precarious. Burnham would be the seventh person to hold the position since the referendum a decade ago. If he does succeed Starmer, he will inherit a country still grappling with deep political, economic, and social challenges.

This article was originally published in German on June 22 and updated on July 17 to reflect Andy Burnham being appointed Labour Party leader.

Culled from DW.com

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