Metro
Food for Living: Journey to Greatness
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Action is the foundational key to all success – Pablo Picasso
Every one of us wants to be great, but the question many of us haven’t answered is, are you ready to pay the price for success?
Success on its own comes with a price tag depending on what you are willing to do, and the price you are willing to pay. Your journey might be a little bit different and relative.
The challenge most people have in life is that they are not willing to go through the organic process of gaining credibility which entails having theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject matter in addition to leaving their comfort zone.
According to a great philosopher, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step in the right direction. When you miss the foundation, you might be a victim of defective success. It should be noted that success means different things to different people. To some people, success means having a home, earning degrees (Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D etc); while to others, it might be getting married, having good children, being rich/wealthy, becoming a governor, president or attaining the highest level of their professional experience. However, the highest and best form of success is personal success.
The question we need to ask ourselves is, how do we attain success? Alternatively, we can say, what’s required to be successful? I think the first question we need to ask is, what do I want? When you answer that question, the next stage will be preparation. This is where the bulk of the work comes in.
It is sad to note that many people just want to be popular without minding if the route is good or bad. In the same way, many people are just concerned about succeeding in their craft without minding what is takes provided they get what they want. They are not concerned about the ingredients of success. What they fail to understand is that genuine success is organic.
In the journey of life, we all have dreams, passions, visions, and goals we would like to achieve, but sometimes we don’t have the right structure or platform to navigate through the process. When you have these right dreams and vision, but lack the right direction, you might hit the rock.
According to Mary kay Ash, “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve
The journey of success is a long way to freedom. It entails networking with the right people, having the right mentors, mentees, associates experiencing failures and gaining theoretical and practical knowledge of the relevant information involved in addition to leaving your comfort zones amongst other variable factors. As you journey through this process, some people may laugh at you, and trust me this is normal especially when they don’t know what you are working on.
It’s sad to see many people who want to succeed in life, but they are scared of taking the bull by the horn by taking reasonable and strategic risks as well as investing in their future. But the interesting thing is that great minds are willing to do what shallow minds are not willing to do. These great minds do not wish for an easy life because they know they can’t attain true success on a platter of fold. They must earn it and work for it. These successful people are concerned about action, they continue to move despite mistakes, challenges, disappointments, and any setbacks they may have.
Those who have truly embarked on this success journey know fully well that their success is not measured by what they were able to accomplish but by the opposition they were able to overcome due to their courage. For you to truly succeed, you must love what you are doing for true success to locate you. You can make money without loving what you do, but you can’t truly succeed without loving what you do.
It’s sad to note that most people are scared of making a move. Let me tell you, every day is an opportunity for you to make an impact. God out and relate with people, ask questions, the worst you will get is a no. Even if you are rejected, you’ll know you have tried. Even the book of life said, ask you shall receive, seek and you will find and knock, and the door shall be opened.
Be informed, no great thing ever happened without imagination. Elon Musk, Bill Gates, President Barack Obama, Mark Zukerberg, Michael Adenuga, Tony Elumelu and Henry Ukazu all dreamt of doing things. They didn’t just wish; they activated their interest.
Dear friend, you are carrying a big billion-dollar vision in your mind, don’t allow it die with you, the world is cheering for you. If you are determined to embark on your journey, you must be bold and dare to go the uncommon and less traveled path. You might be ignored, laughed at, and humiliated; that’s part of the price you have to pay for what you desire. When you get the inspiration in your spirit, write it down and spur it into action. Every one of us has a mission on earth. We all had a purpose which will be fulfilled on earth.
In conclusion, decide today what you’ll want the world to remember you for and dare to embark on the journey. Be advised, the process and journey might not be easy, but with your mentors and determination, you’ll succeed. I look forward to seeing you at the top.
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
The distinguished Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, His Excellency, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has extended warm congratulations to Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.
In a heartfelt message, Senator Daniel praised Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing for his outstanding dedication and immense contributions to the Nigerian housing sector. He described the celebrant as a shining example in the business community, whose passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the real estate industry across Nigeria.
“You are indeed a source of inspiration to your generation and a shining example within the business environment. There is no doubt that you had written your name in an indelible ink across Nigeria and most especially among the real estate developers,” he wrote.
Senator Daniel also acknowledged Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing’s conferment as the ‘Otun-Asiwaju of Remo Christians’ by the Ogun State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as a reflection of his God-fearing nature, philanthropic spirit, and commitment to humanity.
The senator offered prayers for good health, greater accomplishments, and many more remarkable years ahead for the business mogul.
He concluded by affirming his highest regards and admiration for the celebrant.
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has directed Commanding Officers to ensure full deployment of staff for maximum visibility, prompt removal of obstructions and ease of movement on all highways across the country. This is in line with the operational guidelines of this year’s Easter special patrol scheduled to commence from 16th to 23 April, 2024.
According to the Operation Order, obtained by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the objectives of the special operations are reduction in road traffic crashes, road traffic fatalities and road traffic Injuries; prompt response to road traffic crash victims; unhindered in purposeful public education and speedy removal of obstructions from the highways, amongst others.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed assured members of the public that in achieving the objectives of the special operations, the Corps will combine the engagement of the motoring public through purposeful and impactful public education programmes, strengthening of surveillance activities to regulate unprofessional excesses, sustained effective patrol operations as well as adequate monitoring on the highways.
To this end, the Corps would carryout aggressive enforcement including conducting over 200 Mobile Courts operations, with the aim of checking the following offences:
Speeding and Dangerous Driving/Overtaking,
b. Lane indiscipline/Route violation,
c. Road Obstructions,
d. Use of Phone while Driving,
e. Overloading,
f. Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations,
g. Passenger’s Manifest Violation,
h. Operation of mechanical deficient and rickety vehicles,
i. Latching and Twist-Locks Violation,
To achieve the aforementioned, over 743 patrol vehicles, 184 administrative vehicles, 92 ambulances, 23 tow trucks and 144 motorbikes are being deployed as part of the patrol logistics.
Furthermore, reflective jackets, traffic cones, tyre pressure gauges, a number of extricating machines and digital breathalyzers are part of the tools set aside for the special operations.
Added to the above is, a total of 23 Help Areas mobilised to ensure prompt removal of obstructions, and rescue operations during the period. This, he said, is in addition to the 15 traffic control camps which would be dedicated solely to identifying traffic gridlock areas to be manned by our personnel on 24/7 basis.
For effective monitoring and prompt response, the Corps has put in place a Situation Room at the National Headquarters to monitor the activities across the country, collate and process information for dissemination to relevant commands and stakeholders as the case may be.
This is in addition to 28 Road Traffic Crash Clinics and 53 Zebra points located along the major routes. This would be covered by 92 ambulances to be fully utilized for prompt response to crashes and rescue of injured victims to hospitals for more professional attention.
He also directed the Commanding Officers to liaise with other strategic stakeholders within their operational areas to secure the needed moral and logistics as well as security support. The Corps Marshal identified some of the stakeholders as Military formations (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Police (enroute or resident); DSS (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Immigration Service; the NSCDC (enroute or resident).
Others are Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); State Traffic Management Agencies; State owned NGO’s ambulance Services providers; National Network on Emergency Rescue Services (NNES);
Federal Road Maintenance Agencies and
Federal Fire Service.
On the overall preparedness of the Corps for the special operations, he expressed optimism that Nigerians would as usual, cooperate with members of the Corps and other security agencies as well as volunteers who would come out to assist the Corps in traffic management.
Expectedly, with the massive deployment of personnel and logistics and the envisaged public support, the Corps Marshal is confident that the celebration would be a huge success.
While reassuring the motoring public of FRSC’s renewed vigour towards entrenching sanity on the roads, the Corps Marshal also wishes all Nigerians safe and peaceful Easter celebrations.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos State, ended in chaos on Monday over alleged imposition of a chairmanship candidate.
The meeting began peacefully at 7, Ijaoye Street, at 4:00 pm before aggrieved members stormed the venue in protest.
Protesters chanted “(unprintable word”; “We can’t take it”, and accused Speaker of State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, of imposing a candidate from Agege on Ojokoro residents.
Other chants included “Who knows Sanusi?”, “Obasa can’t control us from Agege”, and “We won’t allow a stranger rule us here”.
Speaking after the disruption, one of the protesters, Mr. Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye said the meeting was a ploy to ratify an imposed candidate with no ties to the council.
He stressed that a chairmanship aspirant must reside in Ojokoro, and have worked for the party and actively participated in council politics.
He warned that imposing an outsider with no electoral history in Ojokoro would have negative consequences.
“We are here to reject imposition. All aspirants deserve a fair contest to prove their political relevance,” Akinoso-Olawaye stated.
He noted there are at least 18 aspirants for the chairmanship, all of whom had supporters present at the protest.
Another protest leader, Mrs. Bola Ojetayo, lamented that party leaders often prioritise personal interests over the will of the people.
She said the protest aimed to prevent installation of an unfamiliar figure as the next council chairman.
“We must not sell our seat to outsiders. A stranger cannot come and lead us in our own home.
“Leaders can’t sit elsewhere and decide for us. Someone in Agege shouldn’t determine Ojokoro’s leadership,” Ojetayo said.
In response, Mr. James Owolabi, a former House of Representatives member, and APC stalwart in Ojokoro, urged protesters to remain peaceful and avoid violence.
Owolabi, who represented Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, acknowledged the concerns and affirmed their right to protest within the party.
“You have a voice in the party. Express yourselves peacefully without violence,” Owolabi advised.
Other APC leaders present included Mr Jelili Oseni, council chairman, and Ipoola Omisore, a former Lagos Assembly member.
Also in attendance were Alh. Amosu Aminu, Chief Oriyomi Olaogun, and Mr Akindele Aremu, among others.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had scheduled the local government elections for July 12, 2025.
