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Food for Living: Kindness As Gateway to Unlocking Opportunities, Affection This Season
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Destiny Friends,
It is always a thing of joy when we receive gifts or acts of love. The feeling is surreal. According to Gary Chapman in his book, “The Five Love Languages”, there are five love languages, namely: words affirmation, gift, services, time, and physical touch. When a rational man is able to understand and apply these techniques which I call principles, he will literally get any lady of his choice, all things being equal.
Permit me to speak a little about ladies.
It’s is an undisputable fact ladies love gifts and money. One of the gateways to a lady’s heart is by giving her a gift. Most men use gifts to show their love and affection to ladies. Of course, men are wired to give. While men are said to be givers, ladies are receivers. If a man truly loves and cares for for a lady, he must give. If he’s not giving to one (you), he’s definitely giving to somebody else.
Giving does not have to be thousands, millions or billions. What is important is the heart behind the giving. As a student of kindness, I realized early in life that the gateway to attracting blessings and opportunities from a king is giving them gifts. Poverty-stricken minds with fixed mindsets always have the mentality that there’s literally no need to give the rich or wealthy people. They fail to understand that giving is a mindset. You must not literally give money to show someone you literally love or appreciate them, but you can show them kindness by the little things you do. If you truly want to know someone who truly cares for you, look at how they invest their time to support or appreciate you. In our contemporary society, kindness is underrated, while money is overrated. People with a poverty mindset always revere people who give them money more than people who offer them advice; they fail to understand there are some advice money cannot buy.
If you want to know who truly cares for you, look at the opportunities they expose you to and not the money they give you. Poverty-stricken minds always like people who give money, but people with growth and appreciative mindset appreciate people who teach them how to make money. Don’t get me wrong. However, while money is gold, kindness is golden. Do you know that there are things money can’t buy? Money can buy laughter, but it can’t buy peace of mind; money can buy intelligence, but it can’t buy wisdom and understanding; money can buy gifts, but it can’t buy kindness. Money can’t buy integrity, dignity, and loyalty.
When people affirm your network determines your net worth and your net worth determines your network, I tend to have a different interpretation and perspective to it. This is because there are people in your life who might not have the money to show you how they appreciate you, but if you are able to think out of the box, you will realize that what they are giving you is priceless. It’s literally worth more than what money can buy. It’s just like having a loyal friend who can stand with you no matter how rough the journey or life has been.
On a personal note, I have been a recipient of the most favored human being on planet earth, on my 37th birthday celebration, I was blessed to have a compilation of my quotes which my esteemed mentee Mr. Sulyman Sodeeq Abdulakeem turned into a mini-book. But the most heartwarming blessing was when he compiled some of my insightful and thought-provoking articles into a formidable book that will be released soon. I was literally in tears when I got the gift. I had to ask myself who am I to receive such a blessing. My pensive mood was activated. In reality, I’m yet to find words to say how grateful I am to him. The only thought that comes to my mind is that the kindness I have shown to humanity is what I received back on a different fold.
You may be wondering why I am sharing this information. The reason is quite simple; goodness, love and most importantly kindness has a way of locating you when you don’t expect it. When you have an opportunity to show love, kindness, or do good to anyone, please do it. Don’t bother about if the person appreciates it or not; it’s not between you and them, it’s between you and God. Humanity has a way of paying you back. According to one of my mentors, Yomi Garnett, a renowned Ghost Writer, “Do all the good you can by all the means you can, in all ways you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, to everyone you can, as long as you can”. He further stated, count that day in which you have not done something good for another person as lost. The moral lesson inherent here is that when you do good for people genuinely without an expectation, it has a way of coming back to you in form of good health, longevity, blessings, favors for your children, spouse, appointments, opportunities, etc. You might even begin to wonder why you deserve the goodness? Kindness is like the law of Karma; it always has a way of paying you back in the manner you dished it out.
If you truly want to show someone you care for them, you must give. Giving in this context can mean time or material things. It’s quite unfortunate many people find it hard to give. They fail to understand that there is a blessing in giving. Isn’t it true that the giver’s hand is always on top? For instance, if you want to attract blessings from your parents, give them money or gifts.
The blessings of giving cannot be overemphasized. We are currently in the season of Valentine when lovers show their affection to one another. If I may ask you, what are you doing to show love to those around you? For me and my company, Gloemi, we have decided to offer a one-day training on Mindset for 20 progressive minds who are desirous of scaling their personal and professional lives. This training will focus on self-discovery, we’ll also talk about fixed mindset, poverty mindset, and growth mindset and how it can attract opportunities for your business. There will be opportunities for people to answer questions. To participate in this webinar, you have to follow us on social media via Gloemi and explain why you will like to attend.
kindness is not hard; it is soft, people will generally resonate with you when you are kind and generous. There was a recent story about how a Nigerian philanthropist, Obi Iyiegbu, took interest in a young man, Ekuma Jeremiah (a hawker), who was caught on camera in the Ajah area of Lagos, Nigeria, giving money to persons who were being transported to prison in a Nigerian Correctional Service van. It’s worthy to state that this young man was already poor, but he still has the heart of helping poor people. If you don’t know what kindness is, this is a typical example of selfless love.
In conclusion, as you journey through life, always find ways to give, no matter how little it is. It might be hard to give, but trust me, the blessings are priceless. There’s always joy when you give with love. If you can’t give money, gift or time, give words. Just give something.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a Human Capacity & mindset coach. He’s also a public speaker. 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
By Eric Elezuo
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has announced the release of the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for Private Candidates, 2025–Second Series.
The examination, according to a statement signed by the Ag. Head, Public Affairs, Ms Moyo Adesina was written between Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, December 17, 2025 with a total of
SIXTY-NINE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND FOUR (69,604) candidates, in 370) centres across the country.
The statement noted that “Out of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, SIXTY-ONE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE (61,943) candidates, representing 94.21 % have their results fully processed and released while THREE THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINE (3,809) candidates, representing 5.79% have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable to them.”
It further added that “THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE (33,989) candidates representing 51.69% obtained credit and above in a minimum of FIVE (5) subjects (with or without English Language and/or Mathematics) while TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN (27,727) candidates representing 42.17% obtained credit and above in a minimum of FIVE (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Council said that a total of 1,899 Candidates’ results, representing 2.89 % of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice, and that the cases are being investigated.
The Council therefore, advised candidates to check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org to ascertain their status before visiting the Digital Certificate platform (www.waec.org) to access the digital copies of their certificates, which have been released along with the results.
The Federal government has filed a three-count charge against a former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over the alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Last week, El-Rufai claimed in an interview that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services (DSS), filed charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the charge sheet obtained by Channels Television on Monday, the government stated that El-Rufai admitted that he and his cohorts allegedly intercepted the NSA’s phone conversations.
The charges:
Count 1
That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count 2
That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant Security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count 3
That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131 (2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
News
INEC Consults, Seeks Legislative Intervention As Reactions Trail Release of 2027 Election Timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission has acknowledged public concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections, which coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting and prayers for Muslims, and said it may seek legislative intervention if necessary.
This was disclosed in a statement by the National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Friday.
The commission explained that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general election was developed in strict compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC’s own Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.
The statement highlighted that the Regulations and Guidelines, issued since 2019, prescribe the dates for elections:
Accordingly, INEC fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly Elections.
However, the commission acknowledged public concerns regarding the timing of the elections, which coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.
INEC said it is sensitive to such considerations and remains open to adjustments.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances.
“The commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.
“In view of these representations, the commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements,” the statement said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 general elections, promising to keep the public informed of any changes.
The commission had earlier scheduled party primaries between May 22 and June 20, 2026, for the nomination of candidates, alongside the general election dates.
Recall political figures like former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to reconsider the February 20, 2027 date announced for the next general elections.
They expressed concerns that the timing coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, which could affect participation by Muslim voters.
The Punch
