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Food for Living: Maximise Your Potential to Succeed
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Please permit me to wish you a Happy New Year. The year 2023 has come and gone with its own challenges and opportunities, and 2024 is here to stay for the best if one is ready to make the necessary sacrifices.
According to a sage, yesterday is past, today is a gift, and tomorrow is a mystery because nothing is guaranteed. So, 2024, and life will offer you what you offer it.
There’s no doubt that everyone wishes to make a success of their lives. However, one must understand that before success can come, there must be a conscious need to explore inherent potential that unleashes success. Yes, the potential for success is very critical to success.
Potential is like a currency; it can be seen and felt, and that explains why it attracts great support to people who possess it. Nobody cherishes alliance with whomsoever does not possess potential or is unserious with life. Even employers won’t hire a prospective employee if they don’t see value and potential in the person.
What exactly is potential? Potential is your ability or capacity to accomplish certain tasks as a result of several underlining factors like training, education, skill, interest, values or world view. Everybody is endowed with one potential or another. The only difference is the capacity to activate it. While our potentials differ, our task is to figure out what they are. When you discover your potential, you’ll know how to maximize it to succeed.
If you will agree with me, most people who genuinely made great strides in the world didn’t do it by magic. They invested time and resources, made preparations, made mistakes, had mentors, and did the needful. They didn’t have two heads; they didn’t come from another planet, they were born by a woman and probably had the same education as everyone of us or less, but one thing is certain; they put in the work. Success didn’t just come to them. They attracted success. You too can do the same. You have the potential to succeed.
According to Hon. Barr. C.M.C, “given every equal opportunity, each and every and everyone is a potential achiever because we don’t have dull brains only brains undeveloped.” I concur with this saying because we all have the potential for success. Not everyone was born with a silver spoon. Some people had to endure the pain to play later in life.
It’s important to note that your potential is for you, and not for anyone. Just like wealth is not sexually transmitted, potential can not be bought, it can be acquired with the right training and information. However, the best form of potential is the natural potential that the creator has endowed each person with.
Potentials are like seeds, and when properly nurtured, yields fruits. Potentials are like gifts, talent, skill, and knowledge, which one must make continuous effort to upgrade otherwise it will be lost.
Everyone of us has the potential to succeed. Our potentials are like oil that’s yet to be refined; your potential is like unrefined gold, or yet to be cultivated seeds. Consequently, everyone has a seed of greatness in him. For these seeds to grow into a tree, forest, and plantation to produce the desired fruits, they need manure, fertilizer, water and sunlight. Similarly, one’s potential needs to be nurtured for it to grow.
It’s sad to see people who have potentials begging for opportunities to unleash their potential. Isn’t that ironic? Your hands, eyes, legs, mouth, and skin are your potential. It’s sad most times we remain docile instead of igniting the giant in us.
A story was told about a cub which lived with goats, it began to bleat like a goat, even when the baby lion knew its dentition was different from that of goats, it still bleated instead of roaring. One fateful day, the cub met its family – fellow lions, it began to feel timid and afraid because it has lived all its life like a goat.
What does that say? The cub has the potential to extricate itself from the goats, but it failed to do so because it wasn’t self-aware of who he is. That’s the storyline of some of us. We all have the potential to succeed, but we are not serious about leaving our comfort zone; learning, taking strategic risks and more importantly, believing in ourselves.
It’s very sad and unfortunate to see people who spend major time on minor things and spend minor time on major things. When we begin to see ourselves like the vision we envision, what we seek will begin to seek us. However, it’s important to note that until we see the potential in ourselves and develop it, we might not be able to transcend to another level.
We all have the capacity to change the world, our community, school, politics, family, organization, associations, business, church etc. That capacity lies in our potential. When one begins an internal cleansing of himself, people will see it and once they know how genuine they are, they’ll naturally be attracted to follow them.
Poser: if you have the capacity to change one thing in the world, what will it be, and why?
It’s instructive to note that the fastest way to succeed in life is by working on purpose. Your potential is tied to your purpose. When you work on purpose, you won’t struggle to succeed. This is how purpose works, it doesn’t matter how many people do the same work you are doing, once you are doing what you’re called to do, the universe has a way of aligning with you. What took other people years and resources to achieve, you will get with relative ease. As a matter of fact, while others are struggling, you’ll be receiving favor.
The question we need to ask ourselves is, how do we develop our potential? Your potential starts with knowing who you are, knowing the values and principles you stand for; your potential starts in believe in yourself; your potentials starts with having self confidence; your potential starts with knowing your strength and weakness; your potential starts with identifying with your inner voice; your potentials starts with knowing the right course to study in college, as well as knowing the right career path to follow, the right business, and the right partner or relationship to be involved in.
Still on developing one’s potential, one must be very intentional on the organizations, associations, relationship, core values, and vision they hold dear to heart because they all have a role to play in shaping one’s potential, their world view and the people around them.
In conclusion, it’s important to state that one can’t succeed outside their purpose. Authentic success comes with working on purpose. So, your greatest task should be in discovering your purpose. Quit worrying about how to figure out your potential. Your potential is in your purpose. So, figure out your life’s purpose. When you do that, your potential will naturally flow with you.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny and Unleash Your Destiny. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has reiterated Nigeria’s vast potential and resources, emphasizing the country’s ability to become a global leader. Speaking at the ongoing Ecobank Design and Build Expo at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos, Obasanjo praised Ecobank for organizing the event, which highlights the architecture, building, construction and design sectors, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
During his visit, Chief Obasanjo toured the various pavilions showcasing cutting-edge trends, innovations, and sustainable practices in architecture, construction, building materials, household appliances, engineering, and interior design. He expressed admiration for the high quality of work displayed by the exhibitors.
The former president called on leaders at all levels to leverage Nigeria’s resources and drive the nation’s economy to new heights.
The five-day event, themed “Building Nigeria Together,” kicked off on November 27 and will run until December 1, 2024. Sessions begin daily at 10:00 am, with over 60 exhibitors set to showcase their latest products and innovations.
Among the prominent global brands exhibiting are SABA Steel, Nigeria’s largest steel manufacturer; Coleman Wire & Cables, West Africa’s leading cable producer; Donna Spectre, a key player in indigenous oil and gas logistics; Dulux Paints, a top paint brand in Nigeria; HTL Africa, a forward-thinking architectural firm; ITB Nigeria Limited, a leading construction company in Nigeria and West Africa; and Mota Engil Nigeria, a civil construction giant, among others.
The Nigerian Police Force has denied allegation of instigating Chieftainy Crisis in Osun community.
The Force made the rebuttal via a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), ASP Mayegun Aminat, on behalf of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police incharge of the unit, AIG Ogundele Ayodeji, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The statement noted that it was imperative to make the clarification, stressing that both the Online report and the petitioners were false in their narratives.
The FCID maintained at no point did Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun involved himself or the police in the chieftaincy tussle of the community, adding the IGP has no knowledge of what was going.
The statement reads in full:
Clarification on False Report Regarding Chieftaincy and Police Involvement in Kingship Selection.
The Nigeria Police Force has become aware of a false and misleading report published by Sahara, which claims that the “Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, passed down an order from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest the intending Chief and threatened other kingmakers who insisted that due process must be followed.”
We wish to categorically clarify that this report is inaccurate and does not reflect the facts. The Nigeria Police Force is not involved in the selection of traditional leaders, and at no point did the IGP order the arrest of any individual in connection with the kingship selection process.
The arrest mentioned in the report was carried out following a formal petition submitted by members of the community. The petition alleged that certain kingmakers were engaging in acts of extortion, bribery, conduct likely and threat to life and demanding money from individuals seeking to assume the position of the Olojudo. This form of conduct is not only unethical but violates traditional practices and undermines the integrity of the selection process.
Upon receipt of the petition, detectives from the Special Enquiry Bureau at the FCID Annex in Lagos launched a thorough investigation. The investigation led to the questioning of one individual who admitted to receiving money, as detailed in the petition. Furthermore, this individual acknowledged that others were also involved in this illegal practice and confirmed that payments were made to secure positions.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional individuals suspected of being involved in extortion and bribery will be invited for questioning. Once the investigation is complete, legal charges will be filed against those found culpable.
AIG Ogundele Ayodeji, psc+, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the FCID Annex Lagos, has urged the public to come forward with any relevant information that could assist in the investigation and ensure that justice is served. He also issued a stern warning to anyone attempting to involve the leadership of the IGP or the Nigeria Police Force in corrupt practices. AIG Ogundele Ayodeji emphasized that anyone found guilty of such behavior will face the full force of the law. As Nigeria police force is not part of kingship selection process and wont parake in such act as the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to maintaining professionalism, integrity, and transparency in all its operations. We reiterate the IGP’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and affirm that the Force will continue to work diligently to ensure that justice is upheld in all matters.
NTT Summit confirms Keyamo, Musawa, three other ministers for 7th edition in Abuja
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, and his counterpart at the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, Dr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, are among a host of five federal ministers billed to participate at the 7th edition of the National Tourism Transportation (NTT) Summit and Expo, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to the chairman, organizing committee, Mr. Odusanwo, this year’s Summit is to reaffirm the need for synergy and collaboration in areas of operations of the tourism transportation sector for national economic growth and development, as he reeled out some of the presentations expected as sub-themes of the Summit during plenary sessions.
He further disclosed that event speakers for this year’s edition are drawn from key players of the public sector, represented by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the Organized Private Sector (OPS), as drivers of the industry.
“These include; the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), leading discussions on the sub-theme; “Encourage Massive Investment in Water Front Properties, Resource and Etiquette Training;” Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), to head discussions on: ‘Connect and Explore: Trusted Travel Hub for Seamless Journeys’.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will lead presentations on ‘The Relevance of Directional Signs in Tourism Transportation’ ; and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) will lead presentations on ‘Artistic Collaboration and Partnership in Tourism Transportation’
“The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to lead the panel of discussants on ‘Personnel Training for Enhanced Performance and Service delivery in Tourism, Transportation, and Allied Industries ‘; while the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is leading discussions on ‘Impact of Climate/Weather Forecasting on Tourism in the Sectoral Planning of Nigeria.’
“The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) will chair discussions on ‘Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Procedures: Sharing Expertise on Export Documentation, Logistics and Freight Management in the Tourism Transportation Sector.’
Odusanwo stressed that NTT summits has since inception in 2018, offered the platform for public and private sector stakeholders, producers and consumers in Nigeria and Africa to come together, share ideas, experiences, exchange knowledge and showcase their skills in the growth, development and promotion of the nation’s economic endowments, this time, by promoting the ideals of the value chain inherent in the tourism transportation sector.
Participants at the two-day event will be drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors such as the airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry; the maritime industry operators, road transport operators, including major transport owners, car hire and hail ride services. In addition, road traffic and safety agencies, including the FRSC, motor insurance companies; state transport ministries and agencies; rail transport services, are also expected to take part.
Others are operators of the Tourism and Hospitality (T&H) industry including, tourism resort operators, national parks; museums and monuments, state tourism ministries and boards, festivals and tourism events managers; fast food operators; M.I.C.E and destination managers; as well as, service providers in the banking, oil and gas industries.
