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Food for Living: Listen to the Voice of Your Conscience
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
I wish to begin this article by wishing everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Today being the 25th day of December is 2020 is an opportunity and day to be happy. As widely proclaimed, it is the assumed date Jesus Christ was born. One of the greatest lessons Jesus Christ taught us is to have a clear conscience, and he admonishes that if only we can have a clear conscience, we’ll never be found wanting.
The purpose of this article is not to preach religion, but to use conscience to direct, inform and enlighten us on how our life can be transformed.
We all have a conscience which speaks to us in different capacities. Our conscience is regarded as gatekeepers to our life. It is rather unfortunate that some minds are devoid of conscience. Conscience works in several ways. According to the book of life, “The Lord gave us mind and conscience; we cannot hide from ourselves. You can lie to others, but you can never lie to yourself. Doing so will be tantamount to an act of disservice.
As mentioned above, conscience works in several ways, it can act like an alarm signifying danger; it can act as a guidepost giving you direction and it can serve as the self-discovery coach telling you who you are and what you can do. A rational mind with the right conscience does not need to be afraid in life. They can stand alone. They don’t care about the bank wagon.
To unravel the mystery of life, your must work with your conscience. To ensure your conscience is working well, before you make any decision, make sure you are at peace with your mind. If your friends, family and the world neglect you, but your conscience is intact, you are a winner because your conscience can never deceive you. Your conscience is regarded as the compass of your soul. Martin Luther King Jr., said, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
According to Abraham Lincoln, When my presidency is over, I may not have any other friends, but I’ll have one friend inside of me – my conscience. This simply tells you, the greatest friend and companion a living person can have is their conscience. This is because if the world is singing your praises and you join without understanding the dynamics of politics that is at play, you might lose out, but if your family is with you, you are good to go. When your conscience leaves you, you are as good as a living corpse. “Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.”
As human beings, there are many things battling for our attention. It could a search for a soulmate, travelling, starting a business, deciding or embarking on a journey; amid all these life experiences, we have our intuitive spirits speaking to us. This act of intuition can be regarded as your conscience. When we fail to listen to our conscience, we are bound to make mistakes
The conscience is a walking spirit, you don’t see it, but you feel the presence around you. Conscience plays many roles in human life. Frederick Lewis Donaldson in Westminster Abbey, London, spoke about “The Seven Social Sins, namely:
Wealth without work.
Pleasure without conscience.
Knowledge without character.
Commerce without morality.
Science without humanity.
Worship without sacrifice.
and Politics without principle
Amongst all these seven social skills, one thing is certain; you can feel empathy and conscience at work. It is a well acknowledged fact. In life, if you don’t work, you don’t deserve to eat. It will be inhuman to deprive people who work for their wages; having illicit pleasure or fun without considering their value and neglecting one’s responsibility can be regarded as stupidity; having knowledge without sound character is like giving a pig a diamond or jewel to wear. This is because the beauty of knowledge comes with character. Any scientific development which doesn’t take into consideration humanity will not be embraced by the world, especially when the negatives are more than the positives.
Moral: There must be a balance. As a Christian, your worship must come with sacrifice in order for it to be attracted and finally but not the least, any politics without principle is likened to lack of ideology.
In all, it was a good experience. According to H. L. Mencheken “Through our individual conscience, we become aware of our deeply held moral principles, we are motivated to act upon them, and we assess our character, our behavior and ultimately ourselves against those principles
A group of Nigerians on Wednesday took their protest to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, calling for the removal of the commission’s chairman.
The demonstration is part of the ongoing “Save Democracy” movement gaining attention across the country.
The protesters gathered early at the INEC premises, dressed in branded T-shirts bearing the inscription “Operation Save Our Democracy.”
Many of them also held placards in red and white, with different messages expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation’s electoral system.
Eyewitnesses said the protest remained largely peaceful but loud. The crowd chanted solidarity songs and voiced strong demands for reforms.
A common chant heard at the scene was “We no go gree,” as demonstrators moved in groups around the entrance of the commission’s office. Some protesters also raised specific demands, shouting “INEC Chairman Amupitan must go.”
In a video seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, several well-known activists and political supporters were present at the protest. Supporters of Aisha Yesufu, Mama Pee, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and other civic voices were visibly active in the demonstration.
The video showed a charged atmosphere, with participants waving placards and engaging in coordinated chants.
Security presence around the area was noticeable but not aggressive. Officers were stationed at strategic points to monitor the situation and ensure that activities did not get out of hand. There were no immediate reports of violence or arrests as of the time of filing this report.
Another clip circulating online showed key figures within the opposition coalition preparing to join the protest. Prominent leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and David Mark, were seen mobilizing supporters at Maitama Roundabout in the Federal Capital Territory.
The group appeared to be gearing up for a larger convergence as part of the same demonstration.
As the protest continues to gather momentum, it remains unclear what immediate response will come from the electoral body or the federal government.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has further demonstrated his commitment to officers’ welfare as a cornerstone of effective security delivery with the reception of a delegation from Shenzhen Comen Medical Instruments Co. Ltd. who paid him a courtesy visit at the LSSTF Headquarters on Tuesday.
During the visit, the top executives of Shenzhen Comen Medical Instruments Co. Ltd led by Regional Director for Africa, Jeff Zhang, signalled the intention to partner with the Lagos State Security Trust Fund to strengthen healthcare support for security personnel serving assiduously across Lagos. Members of the delegation include the MD/CEO of May Care Hospitals, Ma AiMei among others.
At the heart of their engagement is a growing recognition and shared understanding that the physical and mental fitness of security operatives is directly linked to their effectiveness in safeguarding lives and property. Their discussions centred on proposed donation of critical medical equipment, instruments, and healthcare resources tailored to the needs of officers across multiple security agencies in the state.
Dr. Ogunsan commended the Shenzhen Comen Medical Instruments Co. Ltd for their intended donation which will greatly support the healthcare needs and well-being of officers who are at the frontline of preserving safety and security in Lagos State. He hailed their proposed intervention as a timely response that will strengthen human capital which is the most important factor of the security architecture.
Ogunsan highlighted: “My leadership at the LSSTF has consistently maintained that security funding will not just be limited to operational vehicles, logistics and hardware but deep focus on human capital development. This is what drives operational success. This is why we are focused on constant training and retraining. This is why I am now advocating for the improved health and wellness of officers.”
“This shift will bridge critical gaps in occupational healthcare for officers, and sustain operational readiness. This is why I am calling for donors and partnerships to uphold the wellbeing of officers. With access to quality healthcare infrastructure, our officers will be well equipped to do their jobs,” he concluded.
The Federal government has expelled American missionary, Alex Barber, citing concerns over statements it says could inflame tensions and worsen divisions, especially in Plateau State.
The decision follows growing controversy surrounding his activities in Nigeria’s North-central region, where authorities allege his comments are capable of inciting unrest.
Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), confirmed the development during an appearance on TVC.
“Yeah, so we’ve realised what Alex Barber has done, so I must inform that Alex Barber is no longer in Nigeria,” she said.
“He has been, we can say, removed and sent out of the country because of the work he’s doing, which is creating division.”
Essiet further linked his remarks to violence in Jos, claiming: “Immediately after he made his speech in Jos, a lot of people didn’t know that two people, two Muslims, were killed immediately after his speech.
“Because of the impact of this provocative speech, which he has been making, he was sent out of the country and is no longer in Nigeria.”
Barber, a former American football player turned missionary, gained attention for humanitarian efforts in conflict-affected communities in Benue and Plateau states.
Through his initiative, Building Zion, and in collaboration with a US-based NGO, he participated in rebuilding homes and supporting displaced residents.
At Yelwata in Benue State, he reportedly helped reconstruct dozens of houses destroyed during attacks. During a project event in January 2026, he said, “So far, we have rebuilt 35 housing units… The joy among the people is overwhelming.”
Community leaders and some residents praised the intervention.
Julius Joor, the traditional ruler of Yelwata, said, “For the first time, private individuals have come to our aid in such a massive way. You have restored hope and happiness to our people.”
Similarly, legal practitioner Franc Utoo noted, “You have done what both the federal and state governments have failed to do.”
Despite the humanitarian work, Barber’s public statements increasingly drew criticism. In interviews and online posts, he described violence in the Middle Belt as organised and systematic.
Speaking to News Central Television, he said: “This is not just some random criminality… This is a war being waged on people.”
He also questioned official positions, asking: “If there’s no war in Nigeria, what is happening?”
His remarks, including criticism of government institutions and handling of the crisis, amplified his global profile but sparked backlash locally.
Critics argue his framing oversimplifies a complex situation involving banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and insurgency.
Some also accused him of presenting the conflict largely along religious lines, warning such narratives could heighten tensions.
A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, urged authorities to investigate his activities, saying they could “threaten public peace,” while cleric Ahmad Gumi also raised concerns about his rhetoric.
In a petition to security agencies in Plateau State, Aliyu Naziru alleged Barber was present at a violence scene under unclear circumstances and called for a probe. However, there is no confirmed evidence linking him to any criminal act.
Supporters insist Barber was drawing attention to neglected crises. Religious figures, including COCIN priest Ezekiel Dachomo, defended his efforts and cautioned against attempts to silence him.
Responding to criticism, Barber said: “They haven’t talked about me rebuilding villages… but when I speak out… then all of a sudden [they react].”
He maintained that victims across religious groups have suffered attacks, citing incidents in several northern states.
Analysts note that while freedom of expression is recognised, Nigerian laws restrict speech capable of inciting violence or public disorder, particularly in sensitive regions. Authorities also retain the power to deport foreigners whose actions are considered against national interest.
Essiet said the government acted to prevent further division, drawing a comparison with past global conflicts.
“That’s what the government has done, because we don’t want individuals to come and create division,” she said.
“I’ve been to Rwanda a couple of times… As simple as this whole narrative of what Alex Barber was saying is what some foreign actors did in Rwanda… and that led to a massive genocide.”
“Based on our experience, we don’t want Nigeria to follow that path… We must not allow people who do not understand the history of our crises to divide us.”
Barber denied allegations linking his statements to violence.
In a Facebook post, he said: “Let it be known that if Abiodun Essiet… made this statement, they are directly lying to the Nigerian and international community.
I’ve never heard of this person, nor had conversation with them.”
