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Food for Living: Knowledge As a Critical Asset

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By Henry Ukazu

Dear Destiny Friends,

There is a fundamental discourse in our contemporary society as to whether it makes sense to attend college with loans instead of using the money to learn a trade or invest in business. Well, depending on where you choose to stand, you are right if you really know yourself and know what you want. Education no doubt is important, it secures the future, it provides numerous opportunities and more importantly, empowers you to make a difference in yourself in the society.

On the other hand, business is also important if you have the skills. I guess the rational behind those in support of business hinges on the fact that why invest so much time and money acquiring formal or theoretical knowledge when you know too well, you’ll do exceedingly well if you invest same time and money in your business, especially having the assurance that school is not technically for you.

It’s important to note that before you make money, you will need to learn the art and skill of making money. It is sad to note that some lazy minds want to earn without learning.

Let’s get something clear, both knowledge and money are good. What’s important at any point in time is to know when to apply both. It’s directly compared to politics and life generally; if you want to be respected, you must either have money or have sound academic qualifications. But if you have both, you will not only be highly respected and revered, but you will also be highly sought after.

As a self-discovery coach, it’s very important to know who you are. When you know who you are, you will know your purpose. Your ability to know your purpose will help you to know how to navigate your life because you will know whether to invest in your education or business

To succeed in life, you must have knowledge. Knowledge is a currency if properly acquired and implemented. There are several kinds of knowledge; we have revealed knowledge, which was given to those who wrote the Bible; empirical knowledge, which is knowledge based on observation or experience; intuitive knowledge, which is knowledge which comes up spontaneous from one’s mind; rational knowledge, which is knowledge derived using human reason; and authoritative knowledge, which is derived from one’s expertise in particular field.

To tell you how important knowledge is, I will share a story with you. This is a story of how a giant engine failed while on transit, the owner of the ship got several experts to fix it, but none was able to fix it. An old man who has been fixing ship since he was a young boy was introduced to him, the old man brought his toolbox and looked at the ship. He gently tapped something and instantly, the engine started working.  The owners were happy and asked him to send his service bill.

A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars. The owner exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!” So, the owner wrote a note saying, “Please send us an itemized bill. The man sent a bill that read: Tapping with a hammer = $2.00, knowing where to tap =  $9,998.00. The moral of the story is that effort is important, but knowledge of where to put in effort is more important.

It is important to note that effort is nothing without knowledge, and knowledge is also nothing without effort. You can’t compare hard work and knowledge. Much as both are important, it should be noted that hard work is not enough to be successful. Being smart is more important.

Knowledge works in different styles. It can come in place of talent, effort, and attitude. It’s instructive to note that if you rely just on your talent, chances are you won’t get anywhere. Even the most talented person is not able to utilize his talent to the full extent without the right attitude and focus.

In conclusion, in whatever you do, seek knowledge because it will set you apart from your contemporaries.

Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a Human Capacity & mindset coach. He’s also a public speaker, youth advocate and creative writer. 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

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INEC ICT Boss Discloses Source of AI Generated Photos on Voter Database

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the appearance of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other questionable entries in its preliminary voter register to irregularities allegedly introduced by some registration officers.

The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.

Bayode explained that some registration officers across the country allegedly used their login credentials to introduce irregular records into the voter database.

He said INEC uncovered the questionable entries through its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which was deployed to examine the registration records.

“We have registration officers on the field. And these registration officers, they have login details to log into the system.

“So what we have found is that some of these registration officers, not all of them now, some of them across the states nationwide, they’ve done different things to bring these irregularities onto the register,” he said.

The ICT director explained that while some of the suspicious photographs were generated using AI, others were products of poor registration procedures.

“Some of these pictures are AI-generated. Some of them not AI-generated, but very bad registration. And this thing got into the register by the registration officers and because they have access to register people,” Bayode said.

“When the ABIS was run on the system, we saw these people. We know what they did. We know how they did it. But honestly, I don’t know why,” he added.

Bayode said INEC has begun cleaning up the voter register before making the preliminary version available to the public, noting that the exercise is being carried out within the statutory 90-day period.

His disclosure follows concerns raised over suspicious photographs and other discrepancies after the commission uploaded its preliminary register of voters to its website on October 26.

Screenshots circulated on social media had shown photographs suspected to be AI-generated attached to voter records in parts of Edo State.

Other complaints involved alleged duplicate entries and reports by some registered voters that their details were missing from the online register.

INEC had earlier explained that the online version was the same preliminary register displayed physically at Registration Areas across the country from October 9 to 15 for the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.

In a statement issued on October 27, the commission said it had identified and flagged some questionable records during the physical display and had commenced a review to correct the irregularities.

It also clarified that the published document was not the final certified register, adding that the online release did not capture all the data-cleanup activities still underway.

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Abuja Court Sacks Uzodinma As APC Imo West Senatorial Candidate

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma with former governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order on Thursday, ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18 and monitored by INEC.

The judge held that evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the primary and should be recognised as the winner.

Egwuatu consequently directed INEC to remove Uzodinma’s name from the list of candidates for the senatorial district and publish Okorocha as the winner of the primary.

The court also ordered the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.

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2027: We’ve No Legislative Seats Sharing Deal with APC, Adeleke Refutes Alleged Claim

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Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed reports suggesting he reached an agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative and local government positions, insisting that his political alliance with the Presidency is focused on the 2027 presidential election.

The governor’s position was contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, following social media reports claiming that the alleged deal would see the Osun Accord and the state APC share positions in the Senate, House of Representatives, State Assembly and local governments.

Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, but described reports of an agreement to share offices with the APC as “mere fabrication and fake news”.

He said negotiations to resolve the local government crisis in Osun were aimed at protecting the interests of both APC chairpersons and elected Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councilors.

“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for. As at now, all stakeholders agreed that restoring grassroots governance is a condition for our successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections,” the governor reportedly said.

Adeleke expressed confidence that the local government crisis would be resolved before the end of the year.

He, however, maintained that the political alliance with the Presidency did not extend to legislative elections, stressing that candidates of different parties would compete for those positions.

“As I said while inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear president is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition. I will work and campaign for Accord candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly,” he said.

The governor urged political parties to campaign for their candidates, insisting that the electorate would determine the outcome of the legislative contests.

“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and the State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate who has the final say,” Adeleke added.

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