Metro
Food for Living: Right Timing, Critical for Success
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
The Bible records that there’s time for everything under the heavens; a time to sow, a time to reap, a time to laugh, a time to mourn; a time to read, a time to sleep, a time to work, a time to pray, and a time for leisure. The list is endless. When one therefore, apportions the wrong time for the wrong thing, they will surely get the wrong result.
It’s noteworthy that the mistake most people make is spending major time on minor things and spend minor time on major things.
It’s also important to note that application of right timing in the guise of being at the right place and at the right time is critical to success. When one does things at the right time, there’s the tendency that the right results will be achieved.
It’s instructive to note however, that time is the greatest asset available to man. Another of the major mistakes people make in the affairs of life is inability to maximize available time. Nite that if one loses money, they can get them back, if they lose health, they can get it back; if they lose friends, they can get them back, but once time is lost, the possibility of getting it back is close to zero.
When it comes to succeeding in life, there’s a lot of dynamics that comes to play. But what is more significant is the timing of your success. But many people fail to understand that before one can succeed in any craft, they must develop capacity and competence in certain fields of life.
When you have done the needful, it will be easy for people to assist you. It’s sad to see people looking for opportunity, but haven’t developed the capacity to thrive when given the opportunity.
What most people fail to understand is that there’s time for everything. No matter how hard you work, if your time has not come, you’ll not get the desired opportunity. So, pending when your time comes, continue to add value to your life by reading, acquiring new skills, taking certification classes, and attending to your personal and professional development.
When you have truly added value to your life, it will be easy for people to identify with you. On a personal note, there are resourceful people I have tried to connect with for opportunities in the past; they didn’t respond to me. But when I added value to my life, they began to associate with me.
Let me share a practical example. After I published my first book, I was marketing it like a desperate hustler because I had no paid job at the time. As a result, most people perceived my book and personality as low value, but when I got a professional job, same people began to see me as a resourceful person, who is not depending on his book for survival.
Furthermore, when I reached out to some of my benefactors for opportunity. They technically didn’t respond favorably, but when I developed capacity, they began to give me attention. A case at hand was when I was introduced to the late Chief Operating Officer of Access Bank, Hebert Wigwe, the potential meeting was cut short due to his death. The interesting thing is that I have reached out to the same person three times in the space of 10 years, but the response wasn’t favourable. But here I am being introduced via capacity.
The moral is that not only is the timing right because the late Hebert Wigwe had a strong passion for mentoring youths, he’s also passionate about education with his pet project, Wigwe University. Again, I developed the capacity to fit into the work he’s doing.
Just like there’s time for everything, there’s also a right time for everybody. Imagine planting a crop at the wrong time, imagine putting the cart before the horse, imagine responding without understanding, imagine putting the wrong ingredients without the right timing, etc. what do you think will happen? You won’t get the desired results. That’s simply how timing works.
No matter how hard you work, invest, read, or do the needful, if your time has not come, forget about it. You might even be the best for a position, but if your time has not come, the universe will conspire to work against you. For example during an election, a candidate might possess the right qualities to win an election, but if the pulse of the nation favors a particular locality, or if the pulse of the nation favors a particular ideology or policy, the citizens might vote another candidate with a lesser pedigree.
To show you how important time is; when it’s time to pass your exam, nothing can stop you, when it’s time to get pregnant, nothing can stop you from conceiving; when it’s time to give birth, nobody can stop you.
When you understand the inherent power of timing, your labour will never be in vain. But if you don’t understand the dynamics of timing, you are bound to labour in vain. When you have done the needful, and still fail, be rest assured that it’s either not for you or it it’s not your time.
To reap the benefits of the right timing, one will have to be patient. A pregnant woman will have to wait for nine months before she is delivered of her baby; a person desirous of marriage will have to wait for the right time to see for his life partner to come.
In conclusion, understand that right timing is not laziness or idleness, so while looking out for the right time, endeavor to do and believe in the best, because by so doing, the universe will connect you to the right network.
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 Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has opened the year with a strong message of appreciation and renewed partnership, commending its donors and corporate partners for their extraordinary commitment to the security and stability of Lagos State throughout 2025, National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) can report.
In a New Year statement he personally signed and issued on behalf of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Board of Trustees, Management, and staff of the Fund, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, praised donors for going beyond financial contributions to demonstrate trust, shared responsibility, and a deep belief in collective security.
Your contributions, Ogunsan observed, ‘over the past year represented far more than financial support. They reflected trust, shared responsibility, and a collective commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and the economic vitality of Lagos State. With your partnership, the Fund was able to strengthen the capacity of security agencies, enhance operational effectiveness, and respond meaningfully to evolving security needs across the State.’
The Governor deeply values the enduring partnership between the public and private sectors as a model of how collaborative security funding can deliver measurable impact, not only for Lagos which is Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub, but for the nation as a whole.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Fund expressed optimism about consolidating gains recorded in the past year, deepening strategic partnerships, and welcoming new donors who share its vision of a secure, resilient, and investor-friendly Lagos State. ‘As we step into 2026, we look forward with optimism – building on the progress achieved, deepening existing partnerships, and welcoming new donors and
partners who share our vision for a secure and resilient Lagos State.’
With emerging security realities demanding innovation and sustained support, LSSTF said continued collaboration will be key to staying ahead of threats. ‘We are confident that, together, we can sustain the gains recorded and respond effectively to emerging security challenges in the year ahead,’ Ogunsan concluded.
Following the fatal crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State involving world-renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua and his team, the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) of the FRSC RS2 Lagos Zone, Assistant Corps Marshal, ACM Ann O. Oladayo, on Tuesday conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the accident scene, even as the incident has generated widespread public interest and conflicting reports, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), can report
Speaking with pressmen during the assessment visit, ACM Oladayo said the inspection was necessary to establish the true facts, noting that some FRSC operatives were already present at the corridor when the crash occurred yesterday. “A lot of reports are out there, but we decided to come for an eyewitness account because some of our operatives were here when it happened. We needed to ascertain what actually occurred,” she said.
According to the FRSC, preliminary findings from eyewitnesses revealed that a trailer conveying soya beans was properly parked off the road, waiting to be offloaded, when a speeding vehicle conveying popular international boxing champion, Anthony Joshua and his friends ran into it. “From what we gathered, the truck was not on the road. It was waiting to be offloaded and was well off the carriageway when the vehicle ran into it,” Oladayo explained.
She dismissed claims that the FRSC failed to respond promptly, stressing that the Corps arrived at the scene within minutes. “Immediately we heard of the incident, we were here in under three minutes. Our priority was rescue. Unfortunately, we lost two lives, but the injured were rescued and taken for medical attention,” she said.
The Zonal Commander added that suspected over-speeding and possible wrongful overtaking were being investigated as likely causes of the crash, noting that the impact force which pulled out the trailer’s tyres suggested excessive speed. “On this highway, the speed limit is 100km/h. From the impact, it is likely that the vehicle exceeded that limit. Investigation is still ongoing,” she stated.
An eyewitness, Yusuf Ajala Oluwaseun, who was at the scene when the crash occurred, blamed persistent speeding along the highway. “We just heard a loud boom. At first, we thought it was a tyre burst. People overspeed a lot on this road. Just last week, an 18-seater bus speeding here hit a man and overturned. FRSC came and rescued the victims,” he said.
Another eyewitness, Sodiq Ayo, confirmed the swift arrival of emergency responders of FRSC and described the moments after the crash. “I heard a sound and came out. People were shouting that someone was still inside the Jeep. When we realised it was Anthony Joshua, everyone gathered, a lot of people were doing video of Anthony Joshua. But before people arrived fully, FRSC came and rescued them,” he recounted.
The FRSC Zonal Commander, Oladayo noted that the damaged trailer has been moved to its facility using a heavy-duty tow truck, while the SUV involved in the crash is currently in the custody of the Ogun State Police Command, as investigations continue. She used the opportunity to caution motorists to plan their journeys properly, avoid over-speeding and reckless overtaking, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before travelling.
The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to rapid emergency response and road safety enforcement.
The operatives of Ondo State Security Network Agency aka Amotekun Corps, have arrested 39 suspected terrorists who allegedly fled Sokoto State following the “powerful and deadly” United States airstrikes targeting militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group in North-western Nigeria.
The Commander of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Akure while parading a total of 61 suspects apprehended across various parts of the State during the Yuletide period.
According to Adeleye, the 39 suspects claimed during interrogation that they escaped from Sokoto State and moved towards the South-West in the aftermath of the airstrikes.
“These 39 suspects themselves claimed they fled from the Sokoto area,” he told journalists.
He said the suspects, aged between 18 and 45 years, are currently undergoing profiling, adding that those found in possession of incriminating materials would be prosecuted according to the law.
Mr Adeleye further revealed that the Amotekun corps has intensified patrols and strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies, particularly along border communities linking Ondo State with Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Edo, and Kwara states.
Giving a breakdown of the arrests, the Amotekun commander said that out of the 61 suspects paraded, 50 were arrested for various breaches of law and order, two for offences related to anti-open grazing laws, six for kidnapping-related crimes, while three were arrested for gender-based violence and rape.
He explained that the ember months patrol would officially end on Tuesday, but assured residents that security operations would not be relaxed, as Operation Le Jade Phase Two is scheduled to commence on January 1.
Adeleye added that the Amotekun Corps has also increased its 24-hour surveillance across the state, with the deployment of Amotekun Rangers to forest reserves.
He attributed the numerous arrests to sustained and coordinated efforts by officers and men of the Amotekun Corps to rid the state of criminal elements.
While commending Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing an enabling environment for effective security operations, Adeleye said the state government has continued to support security agencies without hesitation.
He also lauded the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), vigilante groups, and members of the public for their cooperation.
Providing details of some arrests, Adeleye said two suspects – Mustafa (34) and Philip (45) – were apprehended for kidnapping around the Ofosio area of Odigbo Local Government Area.
“In the Isua-Akoko axis, three suspects identified as Idris (18), Ibrahim Abdullahi (20), and Lawal Idris (23) were also arrested for alleged criminal activities.
On rape and assault cases, he disclosed that Daniel Ojo (19), Usman (33), and Bejide (41) were arrested in Isinkan for rape and for assaulting Amotekun officers.
“The corps also arrested suspected armed robbers identified as Ola Tunbosun (30), Ibrahim, and Shahidu in Akure North, Oba-Akoko, and Oba-Ile.
“The suspects were allegedly part of a robbery gang that recently stole a vehicle in Akure, with plans to transport it to Abuja for sale. The stolen vehicle, as well as a taxi reportedly used to rob unsuspecting passengers, were recovered and displayed during the parade,” he said.
Adeleye explained that the gang’s modus operandi involved operating in densely populated areas, picking up passengers, introducing another gang member as an extra passenger, and then using a firearm to dispossess victims of their belongings before pushing them out of the vehicle.
He advised members of the public to remain vigilant, particularly when boarding taxis without proper markings or readable registration numbers.
