Metro
Food for Living: Just Do Your Best!
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Friends,
The desire of every rational and progressive human being is to be successful. Succeeding in life can be very challenging because of the hassles that come with success. It is really hard forging ahead in life when the odds are really against you especially when you have done your best by investing time and resources in your business, project or work. The frustration can be humbling. It takes a man with sound judgmental and positive discretion to continue to forge ahead in life when he/she faces setbacks. Imagine the life of an entrepreneur who wakes up daily and invest his time and resources in his/ her business only to find out, he needs to start all over again due to a mistake or new development. Whenever you feel this way, one of your strongest arsenal to keep your sanity of mind is to stay strong by having a strong mental positive attitude.
Giving your best in life entails a lot of meanings. Depending on the context in which you are using it for, it can mean giving your best by doing your best in any work/situation you find yourself. It can also mean good luck, you’ll be fine. I wish you the best. It is what it is. It’s also mean a subtle way of letting you off the hook. It also means being sincere about wanting to do anything you promise to do.
Regardless of which pendulum you belong to, one thing is certain only you can define your “best no one can fully describe what “just do your best” means because it means different things for every person. I belong to the school of thought which believe that he that is in you is greater and stronger than he that is in the world. This is because if the whole world is telling you can’t do it and you know you can do it, you’ll definitely succeed. But if the whole world is telling you can do it and you know you can’t do it, you’ll fail. This simply goes to tell you that you are the architect and masterpiece of your life who understands your strength, weakness, and limitations. In a simple and general term, doing your best literally means giving your best in any endeavor you find yourself. When you do your best, you get a lasting impression and peace of mind even when the odds are against you because you have sincerely done your best based on your ability and disposition.
True success is not an overnight victory, it takes several works which can be sleeping late at night, waking up early, going the extra mile, networking, learning a trade, reading, and researching, etc. Sometimes with all these factors at play, we still don’t break even. Truly, it can truly be frustrating.
Today, I charge you, give your best in your business, school work, athletic competition, fashion, entertainment and in whatever you are passionate and skillful at. Believe it will work out in due time if it’s destined for you, and if it doesn’t workout our as planned, just know it’s either, it’s not for you; your time has not come yet, or you’re are not doing the right thing by networking/meeting with the right people, you’re not being strategic by learning the rope, etc.
Sometimes in life, it is better to work smart as opposed to working hard. You can achieve more in life if you are very strategic. According to Abraham Lincoln, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the ax”. Abraham Lincoln was merely speaking on how to be smart and strategic as opposed to working hard. However, the best approach will be working both hard and smart. Doing your best entails appreciating the challenges and disappointments that come with the work. These challenges can turn out to be a turning point if you rightly apply the laws of gratitude.
Being consistent is one of the ways of doing your best. When you are consistent in your craft, you’ll separate yourself from the regular crowd. I recently watched a short presentation by Olufela Durotoye, a leadership expert, and motivational speaker. According to him, Consistency is what separates winners from champions. He went further to state that if you want to know the best in any industry ask for the champions. For example, if you are asked to name the best talk show, Oprah Winfrey’s name might be the first to pop out, in tennis, Serena Williams; in soccer, Ronaldo, Messi, Maradona, Abedi Pele, or even Augustine Jay jay Okocha might come to mind. One thing is certain among this set of creative, talented and industrious individuals- they gave their best and it worked out for them. They became champions by winning consistently and giving their best in what they do every day. It should be noted that winners win matches, while champions win tournaments, competitions, and seasons
A great way of doing or giving your best is by being great at what you do. This is because when you become great at what you do, you will not only attract value, you’ll gain respect/expertise, money and authority. You can succeed and be excellent at what you do, but you will be excellent and greater at what you are gifted at. In order to attain true perfection, you must give your best. As a word of advice, give your best in what you are naturally good at and you’ll be celebrated.
In conclusion, don’t be the best among your contemporaries, but be your best.
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 Minister of Defence Minister, Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa, (rtd), has warned Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other persons in the country against including bandits in northern brotherhood.
General Musa, via a statement on Wednesday in Maiduguri, declared: “A friend of a thief is a thief,” warning Nigerians against supporting terrorists and bandits in any form.
He said that the warning statement is neither accidental nor symbolic; explaining that it is a clear response to narratives previously promoted by Sheikh Gumi, who described bandits’ hiding in the bush as “our brothers” and argued that society cannot do without them.
General Musa’s message draws a firm line between compassion and complicity. While empathy has its place, justifying or normalising terrorism only strengthens criminal networks that have devastated communities, displaced families, and claimed innocent lives.
Labeling bandit as “brothers” does not reduce violence it legitimizes and undermines national security efforts.
The Defence minister’s warning serves as a reminder that terrorism thrives not only on weapons but also on moral cover. Anyone who excuses, defends, or shields criminals through words, influence, or silence shares responsibility for the consequences. In matters of national security, neutrality is not an option.
Nigeria cannot defeat banditry and terrorism while dangerous rhetoric blurs the line between victims and perpetrators. The choice is clear: stand with the law and the nation, or be counted among those enabling crime.
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has donated an operational vehicle to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 2 Police Command (comprising Lagos and Ogun States), National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
This is in furtherance of efforts to strengthen inter-state policing, intelligence coordination, and rapid response operations across Lagos and Ogun States.
The vehicle presented by the Director of Administration, LSSTF, Mr. Degbola Lewis, representing the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan was received by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, AC Operations, Zone 2, ACP Saheed Olayinka Egbeyemi, on behalf of the AIG, Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade.
The donation reinforces LSSTF’s commitment to enhancing operational mobility, patrol efficiency, and strategic command oversight. These are critical to crime prevention, enforcement, and the maintenance of public order within the Zone 2 policing jurisdiction.
Metro
Aare Emmanuelking Visits Alaafin of Oyo, Reiterates Adron Homes’ Support for Traditional Institutions
The Chairman, Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King, has reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s cultural diversity and traditional institutions during a courtesy visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I.
According to the Adron CEO, the visit reflects the company’s belief that national development must be anchored on respect for heritage, culture, and indigenous authority across all ethnic nationalities.
“Nigeria’s greatest strength lies in its diversity. At Adron Homes, we recognise that culture and tradition are not obstacles to development, but the very foundation upon which sustainable progress must be built,” Emmanuel-King stated.
He emphasised that Adron Homes’ engagement with traditional institutions is inclusive and nationwide, cutting across regions and ethnic lines as part of its broader vision for unity and shared prosperity.
“Our respect for traditional institutions is not limited to any one region. We honour royal fathers across Nigeria because they are custodians of our identity, values, and social stability,” he added.
The Adron Chairman noted that the company’s expanding footprint across several states continues to contribute to housing delivery, job creation, and economic empowerment, while aligning modern real estate development with indigenous values.
“We remain committed to building communities that serve present needs without eroding the cultural heritage that future generations must inherit,” Emmanuel-King said.
He further reaffirmed Adron Homes’ readiness to support initiatives that promote cultural preservation, tourism, and community development, stressing that collaboration between the private sector and traditional institutions is vital for inclusive national growth.
In his response, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, commended Adron Homes for recognizing culture and tradition as pillars of development, offering royal prayers for the company’s leadership, continued success, and the peace and unity of Nigeria.
The visit concluded with royal blessings and goodwill, reinforcing Adron Homes’ position as a corporate brand committed to cultural solidarity, inclusivity, and a diverse future for Nigeria.
