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Food for Living: How to Attract Success
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Success doesn’t happen “to” you. It happens because of you. – Grant Cardone.
If there’s one word that brings a smile to the face and joy to the heart, it is success. Nothing pleases any living creature more than success. Success opens doors, which in turn, attracts more opportunities. You will be celebrated if you succeed in any of academics, business, politics, sports, entertainment, marriage, religion, or in any field of endeavour. When I published my first book, it opened many doors for me and introduced me to several great people and organizations that share similar interests and values.
It’s sad however, to note that when the word success is mentioned, many people are quick to think of money. They fail to realize that it’s one’s value that brings money. If people don’t know or hear about your accomplishment, product, service etc., how will they celebrate or reach out to you?
Did you know that success can be likened to a magnet? Yes, you can literally attract success if you mirror the lives of people who have succeeded. In the words of Napoleon Hill, “Success comes to those who are success-conscious.” If you make progress with your life you will begin to attract success like a magnet. Nobody comes to you for no reason. When I embarked on the road to success, I was determined to meet every great person alive to talk about my book and interest in youth development just for them to support me. I didn’t get any leads from them, the best I got was commendation, a handshake and picture. The moment I finally stopped chasing successful people and began to work on myself, I began to attract them into my life.
We all know what to do to succeed, but most times due to procrastination, fear, staying in comfort zone, setbacks, ignorance, lack of information, risk among others, we find ourselves still by the roadside.
Success means different things to different people depending on the industry. To a married person, businessman/lady, entrepreneur, academic, it means different things. The question we need to ask ourselves is, how do I attract success?
Just like there are many ways to kill a rat, there are also many ways to attract success. I will be sharing a few points that have personally helped me to attract opportunities.
The number one way to attract success in life is by investing in yourself. Investing in yourself entails adding value to your life. You can do this by reading, networking, volunteering etc. You must succeed first before people will believe in you. It is generally said success is not about where you are, it’s about how you are! Some people can get to higher positions without having the requisite skills, knowledge and experience.
It is generally stated that 5% of the people who succeed attribute their success to accidental situations, another 10% of people who succeed are determined, while 85% attain success by way of human support. Basically, somebody somewhere recommended or gave them an opportunity.
One of the key questions anyone who wants to succeed must answer is, what do I want? Any determined person who wants to succeed must have a vision. Vision allows you to define in clear terms what you really want and what you don’t want. Once you know what you want in life, you will be intentional and strategically informed on the work you need to do to get to where you want to be. Vision applies to all areas of life. Your vision defines your values, and your values attract your desired audience.
Another key component to attract success is by reading. Your personal development in life starts from reading. You can read about the success and failures of everyone. Reading is like travelling. You can read about countries and systems without physically being there. Read voraciously, when you read, your mind expands. Reading exposes your mind to the world. It makes you learn, unlearn and relearn certain things. With the invention of technology, there’s hardly any information one can’t find on the internet. According to Francis Bacon, “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man”.
Value: The word value is understudied. Great minds who made great impacts in the world didn’t do it because they felt like doing it, they saw a problem/need and went ahead to solve them, thereby made an impact. That’s why the likes of Mark Zukerberg, Jeff Bezos, Henry Ukazu, and other great minds are globally celebrated.
While human beings can connect you to an opportunity, it is the value you provide that will determine how successful you will be in that position. Even before you are recommended for the opportunity, you must have an existing value to be referenced. Value is a currency which ought to be appreciated. When you provide the world with value, you will duly be appreciated.
In conclusion, if you want to attract success into your life, consider applying the above-mentioned points and see how your life will turn around.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a Human Capacity & mindset coach. He’s also a public speaker, youth advocate and creative writer. 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 and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
Onitsha, the historic commercial hub of Anambra State, is set to once again host the grand spectacle of its famed Ofala Festival. The 2025 edition, themed “Cultural Renaissance and Economic Renewal,” promises to be a vibrant celebration of Igbo heritage, unity, and cultural pride — reaffirming the enduring relevance of tradition in Nigeria’s social and economic landscape. More than a festival, Ofala represents the resilience and identity of the Onitsha people, a timeless gathering where history, spirituality, and community converge.
At the centre of the celebration is His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, the Obi of Onitsha. Under his visionary leadership, Ofala has evolved from a spiritual homecoming into an internationally recognised cultural event that showcases the richness of Igbo civilisation. The festival unites the people in celebration, reinforcing the traditional values and collective spirit that have shaped Onitsha’s identity for generations.
This year’s theme underscores two intertwined goals — preserving cultural heritage and leveraging it as a catalyst for economic growth. It calls on communities and stakeholders to safeguard indigenous traditions while exploring how cultural assets can drive tourism, creative enterprise, and national development. In a time when Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil, the festival provides a blueprint for how culture-led growth can foster sustainable prosperity.
A cornerstone of the festival’s success is its enduring partnership with Globacom, Nigeria’s indigenous telecommunications giant. For over a decade, Globacom has been a strong supporter of the Ofala Festival, helping to transform it into a globally recognised celebration. The company’s contribution extends beyond sponsorship — it is a strategic alliance grounded in shared values of innovation, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
Through financial, logistical, and technological support, Globacom has enhanced the festival’s organisation, media visibility, and infrastructure. It has also facilitated the digital documentation of Ofala’s heritage, creating a valuable cultural archive for future generations. Igwe Achebe has praised Globacom’s commitment, noting that the partnership reflects the company’s genuine dedication to preserving Nigeria’s cultural diversity and promoting national pride.
Globacom’s cultural involvement is not limited to Onitsha. The company also supports other landmark festivals, notably the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Its cultural engagement rests on three guiding pillars — cultural preservation, continuity, and community empowerment. These pillars ensure that traditional celebrations remain vibrant, relevant, and economically beneficial to their host communities.
By investing in these festivals, Globacom helps transform them into platforms for education, social inclusion, and economic opportunity. Its sustained involvement empowers local artisans, performers, and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents to wider audiences. This, in turn, generates employment, stimulates tourism, and strengthens local economies — demonstrating how corporate partnerships can meaningfully contribute to cultural sustainability and national development.
The 2025 Ofala Festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors from within and outside Nigeria. The elaborate processions, royal displays, traditional dances, and artistic performances will once again highlight the splendour of Igbo culture. The influx of guests will significantly boost Onitsha’s economy, benefitting traders, artisans, hoteliers, and transport operators. For young creatives, it provides a platform for storytelling, art, and innovation, reinforcing the festival’s role as both a cultural and economic catalyst.
Beyond commerce, the Ofala Festival embodies unity and continuity in a rapidly evolving nation. It serves as a reminder that tradition and modernity can coexist — that heritage, when nurtured, becomes a foundation for renewal. As Nigeria seeks new pathways to social cohesion and economic strength, Ofala stands as a symbol of what is possible when communities draw from their roots to build a shared future.
Ultimately, the 2025 Ofala Festival is more than a celebration — it is a statement of identity, hope, and progress. It affirms that culture is not a relic of the past but a dynamic force that drives innovation, pride, and prosperity. Through the vision of Igwe Achebe and the steadfast support of Globacom, Ofala continues to bridge generations and inspire a renaissance of Nigerian heritage.
As Onitsha bursts once more with colour, rhythm, and royal grandeur, the Ofala Festival reminds the nation that the strength of its future lies in the richness of its past — that through cultural renaissance and economic renewal, Nigeria can thrive, united in heritage and bound for prosperity.
The Federal government has emphasised that the “no work, no pay” policy remains an existing labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) begins on a two-week warning strike today.
The government stated that it will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted in the nation’s universities.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the government reaffirmed that while it continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources.
The statement, however, reassured Nigerian students, parents, and the general public that the Federal government remains firmly committed to maintaining industrial harmony within the tertiary education system.
It added that the Minister of Education has appealed to all academic unions to embrace partnership and dialogue, rather than confrontation, in the collective interest of the nation’s higher education sector.
ASUU, on Sunday, announced a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike in public universities across Nigeria.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday at the University of Abuja, the union’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, stated that there has been no meaningful progress to prevent the union from moving forward with its planned industrial action.
He explained that the 14-day notice, issued on September 28, 2025, had lapsed without any substantial response from the relevant authorities.
He stated that all ASUU branches across the country have been directed to commence a full withdrawal of their services beginning at midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025.
According to Professor Piwuna, the strike would be both total and comprehensive, in line with the resolution reached at the union’s most recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
On Wednesday last week, the Federal Government appealed to ASUU to shelve its planned strike, assuring that it is committed to addressing all outstanding demands raised by the union.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the Federal government is already looking into the demands of the union and progress is already being made in the ongoing negotiations between both parties.
The minister explained that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee had been reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track talks with both academic and non-academic unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had given clear directives that all efforts must be made to avoid another disruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, has received a presidential pardon from President Bola Tinubu after spending six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
In a statement released on Saturday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said, “Her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children. The plea was also anchored on her good conduct in jail, her remorse, and her embracement of a new lifestyle, demonstrating her commitment to being a model prisoner.”
The pardon is part of a larger decision by President Tinubu to grant clemency to 175 Nigerians and foreigners, including notable figures such as the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and other members of the “Ogoni Nine.”
“This marked one of the most expansive uses of the presidential prerogative of mercy, touching on high-profile historical cases,” the statement added.
Maryam Sanda’s case first gained public attention when Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced her to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, ruling that she had fatally stabbed her husband at their home.
“She should reap what she has sown, for it has been said that ‘thou shall not kill’ and whoever kills in cold blood deserves death as his own reward,” Justice Halilu declared at the time.
Following her conviction, Sanda’s legal team filed an appeal on 20 grounds, questioning the evidence and alleging bias, but the Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal on December 3, 2020, affirming the conviction and death sentence.
“The circumstances surrounding the death can be the best proof of what is being alleged,” noted Justice Stephen Adah, reinforcing the lower court’s findings.
Police authorities later sought to have the Supreme Court uphold the sentence. Police counsel James Idachaba said, “We are satisfied with the findings of the trial and appeals court, and we are prepared to defend the law’s position at the Supreme Court,” highlighting the commitment to justice in the case.
The presidential pardon list, released on Saturday, is divided into six categories: pardoned individuals, posthumous pardons (including the Ogoni Nine), victims of the Ogoni Nine honoured, clemency beneficiaries, inmates recommended for reduced terms, and inmates on death row whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
The Punch
