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Developing Your Mindset for Reasons in Seasons (Pt. 2)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“Adversity is known to the wise as a weapon or a tool which we must manipulate and engage to build our “muscles” in all spheres of life in a bid to bear the “weights” of glory. It is our responsibility to be responsible at all times, most especially in trying moments, and never to give excuses for not fulfilling the mandate of MANifestation, the intents of the Maker, God Almighty! I need you to understand clearly that an excuse is a beautiful way of describing why you have failed to MANifest at any given task or opportunity! I charge you to be responsible by engaging your gifts which have been lavished into you by the Maker to MANifest the Great Light (solutions) in the gloomy days of the world, and never to take credit or glory for it but to the Giver, The Maker, who is the Greatest!” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD., FIMC, CMC, CMS, CIV, MNIM
It would be best if you never judged your success by other people’s accolades. You should only judge your success by God’s instruction for your life and how well you are with those instructions, because I have found out something in life that the average human being in life is so mediocre that to be a genius, just to do a little extra. People are so normal, but to be an expert, just go one inch abnormal, and they will think you are great. So, don’t judge your successes by what the masses think of you, but by what God told you to do. When experience is your best teacher, then progress is imprisoned. Experience could be a curse. Dr. Myles Monroe (of blessed memory) mentioned in one of his teachings, “I have been taught by my parent years ago, that experience is the best teacher, I don’t believe that anymore.
Experience could cause you to stop progressing, because you keep judging your dreams by your what you have been through, and you end saying, I tried that before, or I never saw anyone do it that way, then you begin to use those encounters to stop your progress.” That is why God always make history with young people, old people have got too much experience. You all remember the story of David and Goliath? The problem with Saul who was king at that time was that he had experiences, and he tried to put them on David. He told David, wear my armour, carry the burden of my shield, use my sword, use them to fight your own battle(s). And David puts it on and says these things are just too heavy, such that, he dropped them at the feet of Saul. David then went out and fought the giant with something the giant had never seen before.
How do you fight a sword with a rock? The giant says. What is this thing he’s using? How will you bring a stone to a battle of steel; a sling to a battle of sophisticated, experienced and award-winning sword?! The giant is highly trained, and experienced with the sword, to the Philistines, his sword was legendary, so he was expecting an experienced sword-man to come and fight him, but here comes a little boy with just an equipment the giant hasn’t seen before. Honestly, we simply need some people like that (David) in this generation, in this century of ours who would defy the traditions, break the norm, conquer the odds, and come out with something the world has never seen at the office, in the community and nations; people that would think of some ideas that will wreck the whole system. That’s why Steve Jobs will always be in the top place of history as a great inventor. He keeps defying his own experience. While watching a documentary about him some years ago, it was said that when the iPhone came out, they said to him “That’s it! You are the ultimate, this is it!”, but he responded by saying “No! there’s more”, and he came up with this idea about the iPad. And he mentioned that the people in the company said that it would never work! Why? It’s an abnormal size. A size that hasn’t been seen before. It is either you get a computer or an iPhone. As for the phone, it’s either you put it in a pocket or briefcase, but seeing this thing in the middle (iPad) isn’t going to work. Steve Jobs says, “Look, we are going to make this.” Now, the iPad is (one) of the most common machinery people make use of in the world! Sometimes, you have just got to defy your own board to take or make progress! As for experience, you are permitted to consult it, but never allow it (experience) to rule you.
William Shakespeare says, “Sweet are the uses of adversity… he says, you must learn to use adversity for your benefit.” One of the wealthiest men in the United States of America wrote a book titled “Cheaters Never Win.” He’s a multi-billionaire; he probably has products that almost everyone in the world uses. He is the largest manufacturer of plastics, paper, cups, plates and forks in the world. The company is called “The Huntsman Enterprise”, here is what he says in his book, “ if there is a silver lining to bad times, it means that, when facing severe challenges, your mind is normally at its sharpest.” I wonder why he’s a billionaire. When facing challenges, he says your mind kicks and thinks beyond the norm. He also stated some fact that I find very interesting which is that “humans seldom have created anything of value unless they were tried or hurting”; and I simply interpret the statement as benefits of crisis. I have concluded that adversity is a weapon or a tool that we must engage to build our “muscles” in a bid to bear the “weights” (responsibilities or demands) of glory.
Many people don’t even recognize that “glory” is a weight. It isn’t just a blessing, but purposeful responsibility on our shoulders to respond to and with the abilities created within us as HUMAN to MANifest Ab(ove)-normally, because the creations are waiting for the MANifestation of the Sons of God! (as seen in the Holy Book of Life – Romans 8:19). It is our responsibility to shine (reflect or MANifest) the Great Living Light to the world in their gloomy days. That’s why we have been charged never to sleep on purpose, never to sleep on the abilities lavished upon us by God, by responding with these abilities (Light) to meeting the goodly and Godly needs of Mankind and his environment.
Adversity is known to the wise as a weapon or a tool which we (must) manipulate and engage to build our “muscles” in all spheres of life in a bid to bear the “weights” of glory. It is our responsibility to be responsible at all times, most especially in trying moments, and never to give excuses for not fulfilling the mandate of MANifestation, the intents of the Maker, God Almighty! I need you to understand clearly that an excuse is a beautiful way of describing why you have failed to MANifest at any given task or opportunity! I charge you to be responsible by engaging your gifts which have been lavished into you by the Maker to MANifest the Great Light (solutions) in the gloomy days of the world, and never to take credit or glory for it but to the Giver, The Maker, who is the Greatest! Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 5:16); For we have this treasure (abilities/solutions) in earthen vessels (us), that the excellency of the power (MANifestation) may be of God, and not of us, that He may be better known (revealed) to the world through us – 2Corinthians 4:7-10. This is why you are supposed to be a greater leader, a better leader because your skills must be tested. Put in another way, Abraham Lincoln was an amazing personality, he became the greatest president in the midst of trials. Today, many sages are convinced that he’s the greatest of the United States in history, because, he used adversity to create a federation that lasted over 300 years and still working, but it came out of the heat of crisis.
Dr Myles Monroe’s (of blessed memory) definition of leadership is straightforward, yet complicated, “leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, not manipulation, and that inspiration comes from a passion which is motivated by a sense of vision, sense of purpose. So, leadership isn’t something that you pursue, but something you discover. Leaders are born when human discovers something much more important than their personal ambition. True leaders do not seek followers; leaders are actually pursuing a passion towards a purpose that gives them a sense of destiny! The likes of Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa never sought followers. He discovered a purpose that was much more important than his private preservation and private ambition. He pursued his purpose privately and then attracted people. Leaders are more concerned about discovering a purpose for improving the life of humanity, which is much more important than their personal ambition. So, they sacrifice themselves to accomplish something for the greater good. We find that very rarely. Most people we call leaders are simply professional manipulators. And they actually are more concerned about their promotion than promoting the well-being of the people. We are simply the product of everything that we have been through! The best for us isn’t to regret or try to change what happened but to interpret it properly, maximize it and use it to serve other people. Arise and shine! It is simply an instruction from the Holy Book of Life in Isaiah 60:1 to MAN up! MANifest and show up! See others through, and not see through them in their gloomy days…and that’s simply leadership! Take responsibility responsibly!
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke is an accredited ISO 20700 Effective Leadership Management Trainer.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sent a veiled message to Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying support for President Bola Tinubu alone will not guarantee any election ticket.
Wike made the statement on Sunday during a public outing in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
His remarks were widely seen as directed at Governor Fubara, amid lingering political crisis in the State.
The former Governor of Rivers State said political loyalty must be tested during difficult times, not after power has been secured.
He mocked those he described as late supporters of President Tinubu, insisting that sudden alignment would not earn political rewards.
He said: “So the issue is not whether you are supporting Tinubu. That one, we have taken too long, long… Yes, oh. So Tinubu’s issue is not an issue again. Yes. Do you understand me? Yes. Tinubu’s issue is that nobody should be coming here to tell a day. We are for Tinubu; I am against you. Who is for Tinubu University? (laughs) That cannot give you any ticket oh! (laughs again) Direct, direct. It will not. Direction. Direction.”
Wike stressed that his political camp stood with Tinubu when the decision was unpopular. He said that support given under pressure carries more weight than alignment after victory.
He also recalled how the Rivers State House of Assembly openly backed Tinubu early, long before the election outcome was certain.
According to him, some of those now making public declarations were absent during the critical period.
“The same people now who came to declare, put them to God… But they should declare they are saying it for a candidate. Yes. Don’t you see characters? (laughs) So I send the sword far ahead of them.”
Wike further spoke on governance and continuity. He defended projects and agreements initiated during his tenure as governor. He said it is often difficult for successors to acknowledge past efforts, even though government is a continuous process.
His comments come weeks after Governor Fubara formally aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party of President Tinubu.
The move followed months of political crisis in Rivers State, which led to federal intervention and a declaration of emergency rule.
Political watchers believe Wike’s remarks constitute a direct response to Fubara’s recent positioning as a key Tinubu ally in Rivers politics. Critics argue that Fubara’s support surfaced only after the political storm had settled.
Wike, who remains a dominant force in Rivers State politics despite serving in Abuja, appears to have drawn a clear line ahead of the 2027 elections.
He suggested that political tickets would be decided by proven loyalty, not convenience.
Videos from the event in Rumuche, Emohua, spread rapidly on social media. Many users described the speech as a coded warning to the governor.
As of press time, neither the Rivers State Government nor Wike’s media team had issued an official clarification.
The comments, however, suggest that the political rift between both camps is still active, despite earlier peace moves brokered at the national level.
The opposition African Democratic Congress and the Labour Party on Sunday criticized President Bola Tinubu for departing Nigeria for Europe on holiday at a time the country is grappling with rising insecurity, including foreign military interventions in the North.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Tinubu left Lagos for Europe for his end-of-year holiday ahead of an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to attend the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the trip was by invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the summit, which gathers global leaders from government, business, and civil society to advance sustainable development strategies.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has invited President Tinubu to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, which will take place in the emirate early in January,” the statement read.
Reacting to Tinubu’s departure, the ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, faulted the timing as inappropriate given the security challenges facing the country.
The ADC noted the deadly terrorist bomb blast in Zamfara and the ongoing foreign military involvement, calling the President’s move insensitive.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s lack of care is alarming. In the wake of another deadly bomb blast in Zamfara, and following an unprecedented foreign military attack on Nigerian soil, the nation is waiting for reassurance from its leader. Instead, we learn the President has gone on holiday. What a President!” Abdullahi said.
Similarly, LP’s acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, described the trip as “insensitive and devoid of empathy” for Nigerians facing violent attacks and humanitarian crises.
Speaking through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, she stressed that the President should have remained in the country to coordinate security responses.
“This is the most inauspicious time for the President to leave the country. Even the Christmas holiday in Lagos seems ill-timed, given that a bomb exploded in Zamfara today, killing nine people,” Usman said.
She further alleged that Nigeria was under external attack and accused the government of downplaying the severity of the situation.
“Nigeria is under attack by a foreign nation. No matter how the government tries to frame this, it is a violation of our sovereignty. This is the time for the commander-in-chief to coordinate the response, not embark on a holiday,” Usman said.
She added that the President had not convened critical security meetings since the U.S.-led bombardment of terrorist camps in Kwara and Sokoto States and condemned the perceived lack of engagement with military leadership.
The President’s trip comes amid heightened security concerns. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump authorised AFRICOM to conduct airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State, hours before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the operation. A deadly bomb blast in Zamfara on Friday claimed several lives.
The 17th edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will run from January 11 to 15 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go.”
The event aims to connect innovation, finance, and people to advance sustainable development.
Onanuga confirmed that Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the summit.
Hosted by Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy company, the summit will feature the invitation-only ADSW Summit, the World Future Energy Summit, the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, and specialised sessions on hydrogen, climate finance, water security, and utilities in the Global South. Organisers expect more than 50,000 participants from over 170 countries, featuring over 700 global brands and exhibitions of emerging clean technologies.
The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, noted that ADSW 2026 builds on two decades of the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy.
Tinubu previously attended the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2025, where he held meetings with Gulf investors and officials on trade, energy cooperation, and climate finance.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu has undertaken at least 46 foreign trips, spending an estimated 192 days abroad as of October 2025. In 2025 alone, he travelled internationally no fewer than 15 times to countries including Ghana, the UAE, Tanzania, France, Italy, Saint Lucia, Japan, and Brazil for summits, bilateral engagements, and holidays.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Ever wondered how one sleeps and wakes up? Ever wondered where the spirit goes while we sleep? The answer is hidden in mysteries because life, and by extension, existence, is full of mysteries.
On a personal note, I do believe that whenever we sleep, we are basically practicing how to die because no one knows the whereabouts of the spirit and souls. All we know is that we wake at the break of dawn, or when there’s a stirring, either naturally or artificial. That is a mystery!
Have you also ever imagined how a man will have sexual intercourse with a lady and a child is born? Have you also ever wondered about the mystery surrounding death? Have you also imagined how human beings fall in love with the opposite sex despite various variables. Again, each time I fly in the air, I begin to wonder about the invention surrounding the aeroplane. So many questions begging for answers. The mysteries surrounding life is inexhaustible.
For the benefit of hindsight, life is indeed a mystery. Sometimes, we think we understand it, and other times, it humbles us with its complexities. Life can be likened to a woman; the more you try to understand them, the more confused you become.
I had to give this introductory analysis to buttress the significance surrounding the mysteries of life. Why do I say this? Nothing is permanent in life, and as such anyone can be great and successful tomorrow. In my native Igbo (Nigerian) language, we have a saying that “nobody knows the stomach that will birth a king tomorrow”, and “tomorrow is pregnant”. These are evidence of the mysterious nature of life.
In my journey through life, I have met angels and devils in human form, who have played different roles in shaping my thoughts and outlook towards life. While I thought certain people will bring smiles to my life, they turned around to make me question their intentions and mindset. But the people I had some reservations with turned out to be some of the best things that have happened to me. For instance, I have a dear friend turned brother, whom I hold in high esteem. His name is Sodeeq Sulyman. He is the Chief Operating Officer of my company.
As a matter of fact, today is his birthday. He met me on X and reached out to me to be his mentor. I was literally humbled because that was the first time someone was making a firm request of me. I gladly accepted the request, and today our friendship, brotherhood and relationship has truly blossomed. This young man is literally one of the best things that has happened to my life. If I was told he will change the outlook of my life, business and life generally, I wouldn’t have believed it.
But as my late mother would always say, when you meet people just take the good part and leave the bad part. In all sincerity, I strongly believe our meeting was predestined, and mysterious if the circumstance of our meeting is x-rayed.
Here is the message, never look down on anyone except you are helping them to do something or pick something. Another message is don’t give up on anyone because you don’t know what tomorrow will unfold. Even the Bible book of life states in Proverbs 118:22, “the stone which the people rejected has become the cornerstone”. So, it’s instructive for one to be kind, courteous and humble in relationship with human beings because nobody knows what life will unfold tomorrow.
Imagine, if I had not treated this young man very well or even accepted him, I would probably have met other minds, who would have given me an experience of a lifetime I wouldn’t forget in a hurry.
The mystery of life can be seen in wealth creation. A man of means today can become a beggar tomorrow if the wealth is not properly managed, and the child of a certified pauper can become a man of means tomorrow. There have been stories of wealthy men whose children mismanaged their parents’ and became hungry, while slaves of wealthy men became stupendously wealthy. What does that tell you? Nothing is guaranteed in life. I often wonder how people take life very seriously thinking everything is about them. They don’t even know they can sleep and not wake up the next morning, nor are they aware of the fact that pride and ego are the two greatest enemies that can fast track the downfall of a man, while humility can jump-start their elevation.
As human beings sometimes, we wonder where our next meal will come from. Where would our next business, money, spouse, opportunity come from are some of the questions that bug our minds? One might have a business that has little or no hope of succeeding, but with determination and favour from God, the business will turn around for good.
On a personal note, I have been in a scenario where I lost hope of succeeding or moving to the next round, but I was surprised when the universe came through in ways and manners I couldn’t comprehend. I believe we all have one story or another to share as it relates to the mysteries of life. I can vividly recall when my late dad was very sick in the hospital. As a matter of fact, he was adjudged to be the sickest patient in the hospital. The doctor who was treating him said, he lost his mother to the exact sickness my late dad was facing. But with prayer, my late dad was able to survive to the amazement of everyone. He was later adjudged to be a miracle patient because he was given a slim opportunity to survive.
I don’t know what your storyline might be nor do I know what you are experiencing in your academic, business, health, career, or family life. One message I have for you is that nothing lasts forever. If you give it time, one day you’ll laugh and thank God for the experience and lessons life has offered you because life is a mystery one may not understand. It unfolds as it chooses.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
