News
Food for Living: How to Make the Best of Your 2024
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
If you need a change in your Life, you need to plant the Seed of change in your Mind
Please permit me to begin this article by wishing you compliments of the season.
Depending on where you are, we are just about a few hours to the New Year. No doubt, 2023 has been an eventful year for everyone of us. Some of us made mistakes while some of us scaled our various hurdles.
However, the interesting thing is that those who succeeded in 2023 invested time and resources into their projects. Some relocated to different parts of the world either nationally or internationally in search of greener pastures or academic pursuit, some got married, had babies, some learnt new skills, some got new jobs, some attended conferences, seminars, symposia, workshop, etc. One thing is certain: those who did not succeed due to exploring different options acquired experience, while those who succeeded, sowed in one place or another. Either way, they sowed and got results.
As we are about to head into a new year, it’s important we take stock of our personal and professional lives to know how we fared in 2023. This will enable us to decipher how we will approach 2024. If you are desirous of making a great impact in your life in 2024, then there’s a tendency to not only be intentional and strategic, but must also sow into the project.
Just like the Law of Karma operates in strategic ways, the universe operates with principles. It’s whatever you sow, you will reap. If you don’t sow, I wonder what you would want to reap? Those who sowed in negative and positive ways reap their seeds.
Apart from seeking the face of your creator in the coming year, your greatest resolution in 2024 must be to sow. Even if you use 2024 to learn, that’s a huge success because you don’t plant a tree and expect to reap the dividend immediately.
This is how sowing works: The soil is our mind. It’s what we feed our minds that germinates and reproduces results. The seeds are our thoughts, water is our actions, and our feelings, which react to our thoughts and actions is our sun.
Question: Is your mind fertile enough for the right seeds and water to germinate? Remember, whatever you focus on, expands.
Sowing comes in different dimensions. One can sow spiritually into the church, one can sow in his/her business, one can sow in his personal and professional life, one can even sow into a mentor’s life. What a rational mind should be concerned about in 2024 and beyond is what kind of seeds they want to sow to sow in 2024?
One of the best ways to sow into 2024 is to develop mastery. The question now becomes, how does one develop mastery? Developing mastering entails learning whatever you have strong passion for, and interest in. It should be noted that those who benefited in previous years developed capacity, and in due time, they were able to reap the fruits of their labour.
In the same light, progressive minds desirous of succeeding in 2024 must cultivate the habit of reading, learning a skill, building and leveraging on strategic relationships, mentorship, training and acquiring a formal education.
In learning, it is imperative one desists from exhibiting pride. Be humble to learn from your detractors, younger friends, colleagues, and mentors. Don’t think how anyone will perceive you. Remember it’s your life, and not anyone’s life.
If you are determined to succeed in 2024, here are some insights on how one can sow in the coming year.
A great way to sow in 2024 is to practice accountability. Accountability plays a major role in our finances, human relationship, careers, spirituality, academics, and personal lives, etc. Without accountability, we tend to lose all we have.
According to Myles Munroe, “whatever you fail to manage, you lose it”. If you don’t manage your life, you will lose it, if you don’t manage your health, you’ll lose it, if you don’t manage your marriage, you’ll lose it, if you don’t manage your finances, you’ll lose it, and if you don’t manage 2024, you will lose it.
The difference between the rich and poor can be judged by their mindsets, and how accountable they are. The right mindset and accountability determine the values, responsibility, attitudes, and visions of the rich and “famous”, but poor and unformed minds don’t see opportunities where great people take strategic risk; where they either succeed or gain new experience which can attract opportunities in the nearest future for them.
Another way to make the best of 2024 is by sowing into people’s lives. Genuinely sow into people’s life without having a vested interest in mind. Give to people because it’s good to share, don’t have an opportunistic mindset, try to genuinely love people for who they are as opposed to what they are. When you sow into people’s life, it has a way of creating opportunities for you.
In 2024, please sow all the time. When you see a fertile soil and your instincts and conscience is at peace, please sow. When you are led by the spirit, please sow. If you see anyone in need, please support them, if you see an opportunity to learn, don’t think about the cost; make sacrifice for the future, if you see a mentor or resourceful person celebrating, please sow into their lives. If you see anyone succeeding, please sow into their life to support them. Please, if you sow into people’s life, don’t expect to get the reward immediately. You might either get it back or not get it depending on the type of ground the seeds fell.
You can sow into peoples life by praying for them, investing in them, teaching them, encouraging them, counseling them, cheering them up, listening to them, empathizing with them, and sharing your time with people.
Here’s 2024 as a blank paper…it’s up to you to write whatever you want on it
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate and creative writer Design Your Destiny and Unleash Your Destiny. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has reiterated Nigeria’s vast potential and resources, emphasizing the country’s ability to become a global leader. Speaking at the ongoing Ecobank Design and Build Expo at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos, Obasanjo praised Ecobank for organizing the event, which highlights the architecture, building, construction and design sectors, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
During his visit, Chief Obasanjo toured the various pavilions showcasing cutting-edge trends, innovations, and sustainable practices in architecture, construction, building materials, household appliances, engineering, and interior design. He expressed admiration for the high quality of work displayed by the exhibitors.
The former president called on leaders at all levels to leverage Nigeria’s resources and drive the nation’s economy to new heights.
The five-day event, themed “Building Nigeria Together,” kicked off on November 27 and will run until December 1, 2024. Sessions begin daily at 10:00 am, with over 60 exhibitors set to showcase their latest products and innovations.
Among the prominent global brands exhibiting are SABA Steel, Nigeria’s largest steel manufacturer; Coleman Wire & Cables, West Africa’s leading cable producer; Donna Spectre, a key player in indigenous oil and gas logistics; Dulux Paints, a top paint brand in Nigeria; HTL Africa, a forward-thinking architectural firm; ITB Nigeria Limited, a leading construction company in Nigeria and West Africa; and Mota Engil Nigeria, a civil construction giant, among others.
The Nigerian Police Force has denied allegation of instigating Chieftainy Crisis in Osun community.
The Force made the rebuttal via a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), ASP Mayegun Aminat, on behalf of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police incharge of the unit, AIG Ogundele Ayodeji, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The statement noted that it was imperative to make the clarification, stressing that both the Online report and the petitioners were false in their narratives.
The FCID maintained at no point did Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun involved himself or the police in the chieftaincy tussle of the community, adding the IGP has no knowledge of what was going.
The statement reads in full:
Clarification on False Report Regarding Chieftaincy and Police Involvement in Kingship Selection.
The Nigeria Police Force has become aware of a false and misleading report published by Sahara, which claims that the “Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, passed down an order from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest the intending Chief and threatened other kingmakers who insisted that due process must be followed.”
We wish to categorically clarify that this report is inaccurate and does not reflect the facts. The Nigeria Police Force is not involved in the selection of traditional leaders, and at no point did the IGP order the arrest of any individual in connection with the kingship selection process.
The arrest mentioned in the report was carried out following a formal petition submitted by members of the community. The petition alleged that certain kingmakers were engaging in acts of extortion, bribery, conduct likely and threat to life and demanding money from individuals seeking to assume the position of the Olojudo. This form of conduct is not only unethical but violates traditional practices and undermines the integrity of the selection process.
Upon receipt of the petition, detectives from the Special Enquiry Bureau at the FCID Annex in Lagos launched a thorough investigation. The investigation led to the questioning of one individual who admitted to receiving money, as detailed in the petition. Furthermore, this individual acknowledged that others were also involved in this illegal practice and confirmed that payments were made to secure positions.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional individuals suspected of being involved in extortion and bribery will be invited for questioning. Once the investigation is complete, legal charges will be filed against those found culpable.
AIG Ogundele Ayodeji, psc+, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the FCID Annex Lagos, has urged the public to come forward with any relevant information that could assist in the investigation and ensure that justice is served. He also issued a stern warning to anyone attempting to involve the leadership of the IGP or the Nigeria Police Force in corrupt practices. AIG Ogundele Ayodeji emphasized that anyone found guilty of such behavior will face the full force of the law. As Nigeria police force is not part of kingship selection process and wont parake in such act as the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to maintaining professionalism, integrity, and transparency in all its operations. We reiterate the IGP’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and affirm that the Force will continue to work diligently to ensure that justice is upheld in all matters.
NTT Summit confirms Keyamo, Musawa, three other ministers for 7th edition in Abuja
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, and his counterpart at the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, Dr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, are among a host of five federal ministers billed to participate at the 7th edition of the National Tourism Transportation (NTT) Summit and Expo, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to the chairman, organizing committee, Mr. Odusanwo, this year’s Summit is to reaffirm the need for synergy and collaboration in areas of operations of the tourism transportation sector for national economic growth and development, as he reeled out some of the presentations expected as sub-themes of the Summit during plenary sessions.
He further disclosed that event speakers for this year’s edition are drawn from key players of the public sector, represented by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the Organized Private Sector (OPS), as drivers of the industry.
“These include; the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), leading discussions on the sub-theme; “Encourage Massive Investment in Water Front Properties, Resource and Etiquette Training;” Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), to head discussions on: ‘Connect and Explore: Trusted Travel Hub for Seamless Journeys’.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will lead presentations on ‘The Relevance of Directional Signs in Tourism Transportation’ ; and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) will lead presentations on ‘Artistic Collaboration and Partnership in Tourism Transportation’
“The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to lead the panel of discussants on ‘Personnel Training for Enhanced Performance and Service delivery in Tourism, Transportation, and Allied Industries ‘; while the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is leading discussions on ‘Impact of Climate/Weather Forecasting on Tourism in the Sectoral Planning of Nigeria.’
“The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) will chair discussions on ‘Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Procedures: Sharing Expertise on Export Documentation, Logistics and Freight Management in the Tourism Transportation Sector.’
Odusanwo stressed that NTT summits has since inception in 2018, offered the platform for public and private sector stakeholders, producers and consumers in Nigeria and Africa to come together, share ideas, experiences, exchange knowledge and showcase their skills in the growth, development and promotion of the nation’s economic endowments, this time, by promoting the ideals of the value chain inherent in the tourism transportation sector.
Participants at the two-day event will be drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors such as the airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry; the maritime industry operators, road transport operators, including major transport owners, car hire and hail ride services. In addition, road traffic and safety agencies, including the FRSC, motor insurance companies; state transport ministries and agencies; rail transport services, are also expected to take part.
Others are operators of the Tourism and Hospitality (T&H) industry including, tourism resort operators, national parks; museums and monuments, state tourism ministries and boards, festivals and tourism events managers; fast food operators; M.I.C.E and destination managers; as well as, service providers in the banking, oil and gas industries.
