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Food for Living: Adding Value: Unpredictable Nature of Life
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There are different philosophies, principles, facts, theories, and truths that guide life. The ability to understand these dynamics can position one very well. Life can however, spring surprises because that’s its nature. It can also be very complex, and it takes discernment of mind to comprehend it.
Withoutan iota of doubt, life can be as unpredictable as it can fragile. So, it’s advisable to handle it with care. Just like the rain falls on every roof, and death visits every household, life and success can be unpredictable no matter how well you plan for them.
The journey of life offers us several opportunities, misfortunes and experiences. Your ability to manage and navigate through all the varieties of life will determine your attitude towards it because of its unpredictability.
We never know what the next chapter life will offer, and the uncertainty it will bring. This uncertainty can be both thrilling and terrifying.
Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and unexpected surprises. It is a rollercoaster ride that takes one through moments of joy, sorrow, triumph, and defeat. One thing is certain however, there are factors that contribute to this unpredictability.
Uncertainty is an essential aspect of human experience, and accepting it can lead to personal growth, resilience, and a more fulfilling life. Uncertainty can be likened to risk. No one knows what will unfold.
It is in these moments of uncertainty that we discover our true beings, strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities. In fact, we get to know more things about ourselves. By embracing the fear of the unknown, we become more flexible and open to change, which is essential for navigating the unpredictable nature of life.
On a personal note, I had plans to work in the United Nations, study a particular major, marry a certain kind of lady, have a certain number of children, etc. But as one matures and experiences life, sometimes what we think is good for us might not be good for us and what we think is odd might be what life is for you.
For instance, you might desire to marry a curvy lady with intelligence, but at the end of the day, life can give you a lady with high school diploma, with less beauty, but with the ideal qualities you need to succeed.
Over time, my experience of life has changed due to the books I have read, and human relationships have taught me to accept the unknown by preparing for the best and expecting the worst.
Sometimes life offers us golden opportunities through relationships, but our inability to manage the opportunities and relationships will make the opportunity to slide. It’s sad to see people who think because they have certain people and opportunities, they believe the opportunity won’t leave them, either because they think they are too good or can’t be replaced. However, they fail to understand that in life, nothing is guaranteed.
Again, some people think and feel that because they have money, power, network and resources, life will remain permanent and soft for them, however they fail to understand that nothing in life is guaranteed, except death and God. Your power can fail you; your money can fail you, your network, contacts can disappoint you., you can lose your job, etc. but God can’t fail his people.
Just to understand how unpredictable life can be, imagine buying a new car, you are not guaranteed safety in the car if you are driving the car. This is because no matter how careful you are, you are not sure what other drivers might be driving on the road. Again, you may have a sound car, you cannot tell how durable the car might be because it can break down unexpectedly due to one mechanical or electrical fault. That’s just simply how unpredictable life can be.
One of the experiences life has taught me is not to believe in my knowledge, understanding and my network, but to trust in the capacity of God. I vividly remember one day I was invited by Mr. kola Adesina, the Group Managing Director of Sahara Energy for a friendly meeting. During the meeting, I shared my desires and plans of introducing my work to some resourceful people. He smiled and said to me, your prayer should be for God to connect me to meet the right people and not the names I mentioned. That statement made me speechless for a minute.
He went on to say, you might meet Bill Gates, Jef Bezos, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Aliko Dangote, etc, but they are not the right people for me, according to him, he has seen people who worked with bigger names and still became poor. While am I sharing these, when I look back at some of the achievements and resourceful people, I have had close contact with, I know it’s only God who has made it possible because on my own I wouldn’t have been able to do it, and the people I was hoping to introduce me to them didn’t come through.
In conclusion, whatever you have, please manage it because nothing is guaranteed.
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 Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has constituted the LSSTF Monitoring Team with clear guidelines detailing their baseline expectations, roles, responsibilities, and performance. This is to ensure that all security agencies based in Lagos that benefit from the LSSTF largesse are responsible and responsive to the public goodwill which is reposed on them.
The constitution of the LSSTF Monitoring Team is in fulfillment of the pledge of the Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan at the recent Strategic Media Parley with Senior Editors and Media Executives. He had assured the journalists that the era of abuse and misuse of public resources is over.
It will be recalled that Ogunsan outlined his leadership focus at the media Parley which held at the Agency’s Headquarters on 5th December 2025. ‘Public confidence in the Fund is essential. Under my leadership, transparency will be the standard not the exception. We will, maintain strict oversight on contractor performance, monitor all funded projects closely, publish updates on the utilization of donations, strengthen internal governance and reporting, and deepen stakeholder communication and feedback mechanisms.’
With the LSSTF Monitoring Team duly constituted, Ogunsan gave them the marching orders to include: ‘Monitoring and tracking of vehicles and other security assets belonging to RRS; Conducting routine field inspections to determine the state of Fund’s assets; Maintaining accurate records of assets deployed by the Fund to the RRS and providing operational reports; Accessing the application of assets provided to the security agencies as a prerequisite for further allocation; Monitoring repairs and refurbishments embarked upon by the Fund; and Any other duty as may be assigned from time to time.’
The inauguration and public presentation of a monitoring vehicle to facilitate the efforts of the LSSTF Monitoring Team will be held very soon.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, has confirmed a tanker explosion that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 17th December 2025, along the Temu–Sabo route, by the Bypass Pobona area of Epe, Lagos State.
The incident, according to a statement by the Public Education Officer, SRC Oluwadamilola Jayeola, made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), occurred at about 0205hrs and was reported at 0210hrs. Operatives of the FRSC Epe Unit Command responded promptly and arrived at the scene within minutes.
Speaking on the incident, the Sector Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander (SRC) Oluwadamilola Jayeola, stated that preliminary findings revealed that the explosion involved a commercial MACK tanker and five other vehicles, bringing the total number of vehicles affected to six (6).
She explained that the crash was attributed to brake failure, which resulted in loss of control and a subsequent lone crash. Although two adult persons were involved in the incident, no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
Traffic control was immediately established by FRSC operatives to prevent secondary incidents. The Corps worked in synergy with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Lagos State Fire Service, which successfully contained and extinguished the fire.
A private tow truck was also contacted and placed on standby to facilitate the prompt recovery of the affected vehicles and clear the obstruction along the route.
The Sector Commander, FRSC Lagos Sector Command, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, reiterated his advisory to motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to ensure regular and thorough vehicle maintenance, with special emphasis on braking systems, before embarking on any journey.
The Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to prompt emergency response, effective traffic management, and the safety of all road users.
Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has formally submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk, over alleged corruption and financial impropriety.
The petition, dated December 16, 2025, was submitted through Dangote’s lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, and received at the office of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
In the petition, Dangote called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the NMDPRA boss, alleging that Farouk has been living far above his legitimate means as a public servant.
Dangote specifically accused Ahmed Farouk of allegedly spending over seven million United States dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland, paid upfront for a six-year period, without any lawful explanation for the source of the funds.
According to the petition, the four children and their respective schools in Switzerland were clearly identified, along with the amounts paid on their behalf, to enable the ICPC verify the allegations.
The industrialist further alleged that Farouk Ahmed had been using his position at the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests, actions which he claimed had recently triggered public protests and widespread criticism of the agency.
Dangote maintained that Ahmed Farouk has spent his adult life working in Nigeria’s public sector, adding that his cumulative earnings over the years could not reasonably account for the alleged seven million dollars reportedly spent on the overseas education of his children.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corruption, for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” the petition stated.
It further noted that under the same section of the ICPC Act, any person found guilty of such offences is liable to imprisonment for a term of five years without an option of fine.
Dangote urged the commission to act decisively, stressing that the ICPC, alongside other anti-graft agencies, is strategically positioned to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences.
“In view of the foregoing, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting,” the petition added.
The Dangote Group Chairman also expressed confidence that the matter, being in the public domain, would not be ignored, urging the ICPC to act in the interest of justice and to protect the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Dangote further pledged his readiness to provide additional evidence to substantiate his allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office and impunity against the NMDPRA Managing Director.
