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Food for Living: Influence Your Life with Your Words
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Destiny Friends,
There’s power in written and spoken words. Fact. Little wonder a saying goes thus, ‘if you want to hide something from a black man, put it inside a book’. I’m not trying to be sarcastic about the black community or insinuate that black people don’t read, but I’m just saying that, there’s power in not only spoken words, but in written words also.
Words do not only have deep meanings, they also have deep powers which are not visible to the eye, but can be felt. In communication, it is often stated that it is not merely what we say that matters, but how we say it. Even the Bible opines that it is not what enters the mouth of a man that defiles a man but what comes out of the mouth. This goes to let us know that there’s power in words. Proper use of words can bring you unmerited opportunities you never dreamt of. The usefulness of the right words, diction and message cannot be over emphasized.
It does not matter which industry you are in. A marketer needs to have the right words to sell their products; a business man/woman needs the right words to negotiate transactions; a lawyer needs to articulate the right words to make a case for his/her client; a minister of the gospel needs the right words to convey his/her message to the congregation and parents need the right words to transmit knowledge to their child/children. In the same vein, government officials and leaders of thought and industry need the right words to communicate with their people. Even strangers need to have the civility of using the right words in public places. Gary Chapman, in his book, Five Love Languages, mentioned five love languages that human beings ought to know and use to relate cordially. The five love languages are words affirmation, gift, services, time and physical touch.
The right use of words cannot be over empathized. Words are like seeds. I call them the seeds of greatness because you can use your words to strategically position yourself. The direction of your words has a role to play with respect to how you think and process your words. Isn’t it true that out of the abundant of the heart, the mouth speaks? Just to let you know how powerful words are, when you speak, the walls hear it, the ground stamps it, and the air carries it. That’s simply how powerful words operate.
As human beings, sometimes we don’t know how efficacious our words are. If only we do, we won’t it take it lightly. Testimonies abound where great men and resourceful people say what they will like to do and it came to pass. It should be noted that your life will be guided on the position and direction of your words. However, words are only effective when you back it up with actions. For example, if you plant apple, you won’t expect to reap orange, no, you reap what you sow. Even when you plant apple, you need to take time to nurture it by removing the weeds, apply fertilizers to it and harvest it at the right time. That is simply how words operate, it makes no sense to just proclaim words into the air and believe it will turn out the way you wish. No, you need to walk the talk.
You need to pay attention to whatever you say, especially as it relates to yourself, your children, your business and your life generally. Stop cursing yourself and start blessing your life. If you have children, continually speak to them by affirming whatever you want them to be. I have had cause to build brand and image of both individuals and small business, during the cause of my teachings, I told my audience, especially the ladies to tell themselves, I am beautiful. You can do this every day by looking at the mirror. You don’t need to wait for anyone to tell you you’re beautiful before you believe or feel it. Tell yourself you are beautiful even though you don’t see it, but you can feel it and it’ll make you feel good.
Don’t use your words to describe your situation, rather, use it to change the situation
Don’t talk about the problem, talk about the promise. If for instance you did not get the promotion you were hoping to get, instead of feeling bad about it, you can say, when one door closes another one opens. If you’re in a relationship and you man/lady leaves you; instead of crying, just say, another one is coming, if you received a bad medical report, simply say, another good report is coming.
In the journey of life, we have two voices vying for our attention – faith and defeat. If you listen attentively to the inner still voice, you’ll hear voices of faith saying, you are well able. If you are looking for the fruit of the womb, be optimistic and know that your time is coming. You can even say God/my creator is teaching me patience.
You can speak life into your words by writing down your goals, read it out daily, and speak it. You can say, I am strong, I’m full of energy, I’m passionate, I’m valuable, I’m successful, my future is bright, my children are blessed etc. These are great words with transformational power.
Today, I charge you to not only speak life into your life, family and business, take the words further by living your words in such a way they become aligned with your actions. It is by so doing, you’ll be able to reap the fruit of you labour.
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 and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via henrous@gmail.com
Glo subscribers who use Palmpay app to recharge their lines are in for an exciting time as winners have begun to emerge in the ongoing second edition of the “Recharge and Win Bonanza”, a collaborative promo between Palmpay and Globacom.
The promotion rewards Glo users who recharge their lines via the Palmpay app with a chance to win premium prizes, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Infinix Hot 40, and several other exciting giveaways. According to a joint statement from both companies, the initiative is designed to encourage seamless digital recharges while rewarding customer loyalty in the process.
So far, winners have been announced from the latest draws, with several participants winning brand new Infinix Hot 40 smartphones and other prizes. Among the lucky winners are Basirat Mayowa Opatunji from Osogbo, Osun State, Wisdom Anayo Uzoma, Afeez Akanfe Muraina, and Oyedikachi Herbert.
To ensure convenience, winners outside Lagos will have their prizes dispatched to the nearest Palmpay office for pickup.
Participation in the promo is open until August 8, 2025, and is as simple as recharging a Glo line with ₦500 or more via the Palmpay app. Each qualifying transaction automatically enters the subscriber into a draw for a chance to win. In addition, a daily social media challenge offers more opportunities to win cash prizes.
Palmpay users also enjoy up to 6 percent cashback on Glo airtime and data purchases during the promo. Even better, customers who haven’t activated a Glo data plan in the last 90 days are eligible for a 100% bonus on their recharge.
One of the winners, Basirat Mayowa Opatunji, couldn’t hide her excitement after winning an Infinix Hot 40 smartphone. “I’ve always recharged my Glo line through the Palmpay app, but I never imagined I’d actually win a phone,” she said. Currently studying at Ekiti State University through the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun study centre, Basirat added that she would be picking up her prize in Osogbo.
To participate in the ongoing bonanza, Glo subscribers can simply visit: http://bit.ly/PalmPaySms
The Federal government has responded to the United States’ recent visa rules that reduce how long Nigerian visitors can stay in the United States and limit them to one entry per visa by calling on Washington to reconsider its new visa policy.
The U.S. Department of State had recently updated its non-immigrant visa policy for several countries, including Nigeria, on Tuesday.
Under the new rule, most non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be valid for only three months and allow just a single entry into the United States.
The changes took effect immediately.In a notice published on its website, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria state: “Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity. We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity. You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.
“The Federal government responded to this by describing the new US directive as “misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect” that ought to govern bilateral engagements between friendly nations in a statement released on Wednesday through Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson.
The Federal government said it views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.
“The attention of the Federal government of Nigeria has been drawn to the recent decision by the United States Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas including B1/B2, F and J categories to three months with single entry,” it stated.
“The Federal government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries. The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.”
It also claimed that this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.
The government also said it understands that every country has the right to make its own immigration rules, but it hopes the U.S. will “reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”
It also added that diplomatic engagements are ongoing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assembled a team of 97 lawyers to challenge what it describes as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ‘fake lawsuit’ against its interim leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
The legal team, led by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, accusing the ruling APC of filing a suit using the names of individuals who are not members of the ADC.
The latest development follows a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja between Senator Mark, who is now the ADC’s Interim National Chairman, and the party’s Kogi State chapter.
At the meeting, Mark assured Nigerians that under his leadership, the ADC would operate with total transparency and would not favour any presidential aspirant.
“I don’t own this party more than any other member… All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC,” he said.
He, therefore, urged party members to set aside their differences and focus on building a united political force, warning that Nigeria’s democracy could fail if citizens remain passive.
The ADC chairman also criticised the APC, saying the ruling party should focus on fixing its own policy failures rather than targeting individuals.
“If they admitted that insecurity was bad and promised to improve it but instead made it worse, should Nigerians continue to support them? The answer is no,” he said.
The ADC alleged that the APC had fabricated names in its lawsuit against the party’s interim leadership.
According to the ADC, investigations showed that the supposed plaintiffs in the suit were not registered members of the party in either Kogi or Nasarawa State.
“It smacks of desperation that a party entrusted with leading 200 million Nigerians would engage in such dishonesty,” the party said.
Mark used the occasion to call for national unity and encouraged Nigerians to support the ADC’s vision of a reformed and people-centred democracy.
“Let us work together to rebuild this nation for future generations,” he urged.
Barrister Sheriff, head of the ADC’s national legal support team, confirmed that 97 lawyers have volunteered to take up the case.
“We are fully prepared to defend the ADC and its leaders against this politically motivated attack,” he said.
