Metro
Food for Living: Choose Your Name Wisely
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Dear Friends,
We all have names which our parents, godfather/mother, or even good relatives and friends gave to us at birth, and we always like to be addressed rightly and with respect before we respond. Just to let you know how powerful your name can be, if you are called a name that is not yours, there’s every tendency you won’t respond, nor matter how nice it may sound. Even if you are called the right name but with the wrong pronunciation, you might also feel slighted to respond, and even if you respond, you’ll react in a way as to offer correction. This is because names are very symbolic, and according to the platinum rule, people are treated the way they wish to be addressed.
Names are very powerful and they have deep meanings, and as a result, must be chosen wisely. Names are regarded as trademarks/logos and come in different shapes and sizes. Some people even have nicknames which have defined them in different ways. Even in business; the name you choose has an impact on people’s perception, especially your potential clients. Therefore, it is imperatively and critically important for you to consider whatever name you will like to be associated with.
A name is an identity. It is a descriptor that allows people to make quick judgments and assumptions about us. When a particular name is mentioned, a lot of questions normally come to mind. We can even assume what it is likely to be. Our names and identities are regarded as the first impressions people have about us. For example, how we dress, the way we wear our hair, how we behave, and even where we go; all begin with our identity and what we call ourselves. Whether it is religion, sexuality or gender, it is part of an identity that can influence how you present yourself to the world, and how you interact with the world. Depending on the situation and circumstance, what we call ourselves may change. That is why it is important for you to consider the name, group or network you are associated with.
The big question we have to answer is what name do I respond to? As human beings, some of us are very sensitive, some are conservative while others tend to have a liberal attitude towards life. Depending on which category you belong to, you can decide to be the game-changer in whatever situation you are into. You may have been called a dull person, lazy being, slow, ugly, fat, etc., but how you respond is actually what makes the ultimate difference. As you may know, life is not what happens to you, but how you react to it. It should be noted that you can’t stop people calling you negative names, but you can decide to choose what you answer to. As a an advice, don’t answer names you are called, when they call you hello depressed, short, unattractive, unqualified, sick, orphan, just calmly respond, ‘sorry there’s no one by that name around here, I guess you may have gotten the wrong address’. In a rhetoric way, you can also respond, do you mean positive, tall, smart, healthy, blessed, beautiful, handsome, extraordinary, talented, skillful, etc.
Studies suggest that liking your own name is predictive of well-being and happiness, and it also positively affects your self-esteem. But does your name affect how other people treat you? According to Dale Carnegie.
“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Why then is it so important to call people their true names? A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. This is because it is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get someone’s attention especially when they are teased or praised.
Here are some tips on how you can use your name to influence your brand.
Make it a commitment:
Make a commitment to answer whatever uplifts and support your vision. Once you are subconsciously aware of what happens around you, do yourself a favor to international change the narrative by changing the negative news or information that surrounds you or your business. For example, you can work on your self, business, brand, organization, etc; to the extent, people will recognize you as an excellent or reliable person/brand as opposed to the different labels that bring negative vibes to you. As you may know, the world is governed by perception.
Practice:
Practicing whatever name brand you want to be associated with is a great way to bring change to not only your personal life but your business or brand. You can do this by calling yourself names of interest that appeal to you. You may be surprised to know it will come back to you. Don’t be concerned about the negative voices you may be hearing from friends or even family members, just continue to work on your craft. There have been testimonies of people who dreamt of being a governor, president, leader of an industry, etc. despite not having what it takes to be the person in the picture. They were able to act it in addition to calling themselves the names and guess what, it’s it came to pass. In one of my articles I published five years ago titled: Dreams Come True, I opined that your dreams are valid and it will come true if you work hard, believe in yourself and have the God factor around you.
Ignore the name tag:
As mentioned earlier, it is up to you to respond to whatever name you decide to answer. Names don’t matter anything unless you give it the needed power/energy it needs to feed on. Names are like dead woods, but you can activate life into it when you speak life into it. Names work with our minds, when you decide to call yourself love, love will automatically follow you.
Furthermore, Ignore the nay-sayers and give your attention to what brings you life, and when you do, the desired transformation will begin to rear up. Personally, I was called names because of my horrible writing skills, but I have been able to author a book by the special grace of God which my detractors have not been able to accomplish. The secret is simple, I never answered the negative names I was called.
Creating Opportunity:
Knowing how to relate with people is a powerful skill that is in high demand. A good personal relation skill will create opportunities for you. It’s like a charm that can disarm even the most hardened person to respond to stimuli. As popularly opined in some social parlance, if a man can make a lady to smile, he’s halfway into her heart. It is important to note that people want to be treated as human beings, not objects. Using their name is the fastest and most reliable way of building rapport and creating a good first impression. Everyone has a name — use it to better connect to them, especially if you work in the customer service position. You will notice a difference in your relationships.
In conclusion, what is your name?
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your Birthright To Success. He can be reached via henrous@gmail.com
The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed a deadly night shooting in Gwan-Ajang village of Foron District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, saying five people were killed.
Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, said officers of the Gindiri Division received a distress call at about 9:22pm on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and immediately mobilised to the scene.
He explained that the attack occurred while residents were gathered for a social event.
“We got a call of a shooting that happened around Gwan-Ajang village, and we mobilised men to stabilise the situation.
“From what we gathered, some members of the community were having an occasion or a party when they suddenly heard sporadic shooting,” he said.
According to the PPRO, officers arrived to a grim scene.
“When our men got there, they met some persons in pools of their blood. As I speak to you, five of them were confirmed dead,” Alabo stated.
He added that the location of the incident, which lies between Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs, sometimes leads to differing reports on where the attack occurred.
“Depending on where people are telling the story from, some say Barkin Ladi, others say Mangu,” he added.
Alabo further said the Commissioner of Police had already issued operational directives to the deputy commissioner of police 9n charge of operations.
He also confirmed ongoing joint security operations.
“Our men are there, and we are working with Operation Enduring Peace, who have also made deployments. Calm has been restored, and we are looking forward to making some arrests because we have good intel,” he added.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association, Rwang Tengwong, gave a higher casualty figure, saying at least seven people were killed in the attack.
“At least seven persons have been reportedly killed in another armed invasion by armed Fulani gangs at about 9:30 p.m. in Gwan-Ajang village,” Tengwong alleged.
He added that more than 10 others sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Community sources further alleged that the attack came after a period of relative calm in parts of Plateau State, claiming that killings had reduced until after the conclusion of political party primaries ahead of the next general elections, an assertion not independently verified by authorities.
Security agencies say investigations are ongoing, while patrols and surveillance operations continue in the area as efforts intensify to apprehend those responsible.
Hundreds of protesters, on Monday, stormed the streets of Ibadan demanding the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso.
The demonstration, led by members of the Take-It-Back Movement, teachers, students, and concerned residents, disrupted traffic along major routes as participants marched with placards bearing messages such as “Bring Back Our Children” and “Speak Up.”
The protesters expressed frustration over the worsening security situation in Oyo State, accusing authorities of not doing enough to protect citizens from kidnappers. They called for stronger security measures around schools and communities, insisting that the continued abduction of students and teachers has heightened fear among residents.
The protest comes amid growing outrage over the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The Nigerian Union of Teachers has since declared an indefinite strike, while Governor Seyi Makinde and federal officials continue efforts to secure the victims’ release. President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of specialised security personnel to support ongoing rescue operations.
Security agencies say efforts to rescue the abducted victims are ongoing as families and residents continue to call for urgent action.
Meanwhile, public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were deserted as teachers complied with the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on an indefinite strike over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils in the State.
Reports said at Community High School, Ogungbade, Ibadan, classrooms were locked and academic activities halted as teachers stayed away from work in obedience to the union’s directive.
The strike also affected the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with some supervisors seen waiting for the commencement of examinations amid uncertainty over the situation.
Some students who arrived at the school were later seen leaving the premises after discovering that classes would not hold.
The NUT, on Sunday, directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the State to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, until further notice.
The union said the action was necessitated by the continued captivity of teachers and pupils abducted on May 15, 2026, from Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area.
Hundreds of protesters, on Monday, stormed the streets of Ibadan demanding the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso.
The demonstration, led by members of the Take-It-Back Movement, teachers, students, and concerned residents, disrupted traffic along major routes as participants marched with placards bearing messages such as “Bring Back Our Children” and “Speak Up.”
The protesters expressed frustration over the worsening security situation in Oyo State, accusing authorities of not doing enough to protect citizens from kidnappers. They called for stronger security measures around schools and communities, insisting that the continued abduction of students and teachers has heightened fear among residents.
The protest comes amid growing outrage over the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The Nigerian Union of Teachers has since declared an indefinite strike, while Governor Seyi Makinde and federal officials continue efforts to secure the victims’ release. President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of specialised security personnel to support ongoing rescue operations.
Security agencies say efforts to rescue the abducted victims are ongoing as families and residents continue to call for urgent action.
Meanwhile, public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were deserted as teachers complied with the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on an indefinite strike over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils in the State.
Reports said at Community High School, Ogungbade, Ibadan, classrooms were locked and academic activities halted as teachers stayed away from work in obedience to the union’s directive.
The strike also affected the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with some supervisors seen waiting for the commencement of examinations amid uncertainty over the situation.
Some students who arrived at the school were later seen leaving the premises after discovering that classes would not hold.
The NUT, on Sunday, directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the State to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, until further notice.
The union said the action was necessitated by the continued captivity of teachers and pupils abducted on May 15, 2026, from Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area.
In a statement by its secretary Olukayode Salami, the union expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the rescue and safe release of the victims.
According to the NUT, the prolonged detention of the abducted teachers and pupils has created fear and anxiety among members and discouraged parents from sending their children to school. more
In a statement by its secretary Olukayode Salami, the union expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the rescue and safe release of the victims.
According to the NUT, the prolonged detention of the abducted teachers and pupils has created fear and anxiety among members and discouraged parents from sending their children to school.
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful across Nigeria and around the world on the occasion of Eid, urging them to continue embracing the virtues of peace, sacrifice, love, and unity that the season symbolizes.
In a statement issued by the management of Adron Homes & Properties, the company described Eid as a sacred period that promotes spiritual renewal, compassion, gratitude, and harmonious coexistence among people irrespective of tribe, religion, or social status.
The foremost real estate company noted that the values of selflessness, obedience, and generosity demonstrated during the holy season remain essential ingredients for national growth and societal development.
According to the statement, Nigerians should use the festive period as an opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood, extend love to the less privileged, and pray for enduring peace and economic prosperity in the country.
Adron Homes further reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable luxury homes and building sustainable communities that promote comfort, security, and family values for Nigerians at home and abroad.
The company prayed for divine blessings, joy, and fulfillment for all Muslim faithful celebrating Eid and wished them a peaceful and memorable celebration.
