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
Leading health and wellness company, Healthgarde International, celebrated its fifth anniversary and 2025 convention in Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday, February 15 with a splash of awards – products, cash and luxury packages – given to its sales heroes, all dressed in purple.
Speaking to newsmen at the convention, Healthgarde CEO, Mrs. Nneka Nwarueze, explained how the company was able to pull through the sudden economic challenges of 2024.
“We’ve come a long way since we started five years ago,” Nwarueze said. “We’ve learned to adapt to the changing business environment, and we’re particularly proud of our team members who have demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership, and commitment to our values. We are very happy to celebrate all of them today, especially our top achievers.”
The Healthgarde convention featured a purple affair awards ceremony to recognize outstanding performers across various categories. Mariam Oboh emerged Business Leader of the Year and Star of Africa, which came with double home use gadgets plus N500,000 cash prize, while Judith Amaogo came second, and Bolanle Aina third.
Other winners were:
– Entrepreneur of The Year 2024: Cynthia Enete
– Rising Star of the Year 2024: Maryann Obi
– Social Media Star 2024: Eniola Emmanuel
– Staff of the Year 2024: Godwin Tosu
– Depot of the Year, 2024: Enugu Depot
– Performer Per Depot 2024: Judith Amaogo, Adeniyi Jones; Cynthia Enete, Ojota; and Chinamunwa Anumba, Port Harcourt.
– Top 3 Fast Start Recruiters of 2024: Benita Okonkwo, Ifeoma Idoko, and Judith Amaogo
– Top 3 Team Builders of 2024: Bolanle Aina, Judith Amaogo, and Mariam Oboh
– Top 3 Recruiters of 2024: Ifeoma Idoko, Judith Amaogo, and Mariam Oboh
– Top 3 Group Sales Volume (GSV): Maryanne Obi, Judith Amaogo, and Ebere Obodozie
– Top 3 Personal Sales Volume (PSV): Benita Okonkwo, Bolanle Aina, and Maryanne Obi
The event also featured a motivational talk by Pastor Ambrose Okwugha, who encouraged the entire sales-force to strive for success, and never give up; no matter despite the challenges they may face.
When asked about the challenges facing the company, Mrs. Nwarueze cited the unfriendly business environment, high cost of living, inflation, reduced purchasing power, and intense competition.
“Despite these challenges, we’re committed to providing quality products and services to our customers. We’re also investing in local manufacturing to reduce our dependence on imported raw materials,” she said.
The 2025 convention marked a significant milestone for Healthgarde International, and it witnessed an outpouring of consultants’ testimonies of how the multilevel wellness marketing business changed their lives and fortunes.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has applauded the Sokoto State government for its sustained support and solidarity with the FRSC in the state, saying the goodwill will spur the staff towards greater service delivery.
He stated this, according to a statement signed by the Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), at the Sokoto State Sector Command of the FRSC on Wednesday, while addressing the combined parade of staff of the Sokoto Zonal Command, Sector Command, Special Marshals and members of the Road Safety Club as part of his familiarization tour to the state.
The Corps Marshal specially noted the cordial relationship between FRSC and the state government, describing it as examplery. He further noted that the massive road construction and rehabilitation being undertaken by the state government has reduced incidences of route violation by drivers and consequent reduction in the rates of road traffic crashes in the state. “The donation of a patrol vehicle to the Sector Command by the state government and other promises of support made by the Governor point to the commitment of a state Governor that’s committed to supporting the FRSC in its efforts to reduce the menace of road traffic crashes in the country,” he stated.
The Corps Marshal expressed appreciation to the staff for their dedication, commitment and sacrifice which manifested in the successes recorded during the 2024 end of year special patrol. He restated the commitment of his Management to addressing issues of staff welfare, capacity development and regular promotion exercise, saying Management will continue to reward excellence and punish indiscipline.
Corps Marshal Shehu who tasked the staff on hardwork and quality service delivery, recalled his early days as a young officer in the state, stressing the need for everyone to build good legacy and embrace due process through diligence. He warned against indiscipline either on the road or in the office, saying everyone must take accountability very seriously. “Every staff must realize that there’s accountability in all that they do and work hard to excel in order to justify the trust invested by government and people of Nigeria,” the Corps Marshal added.
On the Federal Government’s support for safer road environment in the country, the Corps Marshal appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing logistics support for the FRSC which he said has enhanced the success rate of the Corps and promised not to leave any stone unturned in his determination to reinvigorate the Corps for improved service delivery.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed also thanked the critical stakeholders in the state and the media for standing firm with the Corps in creating public awareness on issues of road safety. He however expressed dismay at the rate of overloading and mix loading among some drivers in the state, saying the practice has been responsible for the avoidable loss of lives in road traffic crashes in the state.
While stressing the need for members of the public to join hands with the Corps in the ongoing campaign against tanker crashes and scooping of fuel whenever a tanker crash occurred, the Corps Marshal expressed sadness over the actions of people who run to scoop fuel at crash scenes knowing that petroleum products are inflammable. He called on all the stakeholders to rise to the occasion in the efforts to create public awareness on the matter.
As part of the Corps Marshal’s activities in the state, he addressed stakeholders and members of the media where he harped on the shared nature of road traffic management and called on everyone to get involved.
The two days visit to Sokoto state continued on Thursday with the visit to the State Governor and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III
Nestlé Nigeria has launched a dairy demonstration farm in Paikon Kore, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to enhancing the local dairy industry through the Nestlé Nigeria Livestock Development Project (NLDP, inaugurated in 2021. The NLDP is structured around three pillars: Better Milk, Better Feed (fodder), and Resilient Communities. It is supported by the Federal Capital Territory Administration and delivered in collaboration with CBI Innovations Limited (CBiIL) and 2Scale.
Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm is designed to build on the success of the NLDP by serving as a practical model for implementing best dairy practices. It will showcase how to enhance the productivity of local cattle breeds from an average yield of 1 liter per cow per day to potentially over 10 liters through effective breeding programs. The farm also aims to showcase the practical application of best dairy practices to maintain herd health, nutrition, and hydration to transform local dairy production.
At the launch event, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria said, “Since 2019, Nestlé Nigeria has invested over ₦1.8 billion in improving the livelihoods of pastoralists in and around the Paikon Kore and Kachia grazing reserve. We are happy to report that the milk producers participating in this program have experienced a substantial increase in their household income which rose from ₦70,000 in 2021 to ₦250,000 in 2024. This growth is attributed to increased productivity driven by improved dairy practices and provision of the enabling infrastructure within the communities.”
Daily milk collection increased from an initial 200 liters in June 2021 to an average of 6,000 liters per day at the Milk Collection and Cooling Centre, aggregating over 1 million liters of raw milk to date. This success benefits approximately 3,000 milk producers who are part of the 83 dairy cooperatives established under the NLDP.
Also commenting on the demonstration farm, Mr. Soji Apampa, CEO of CBI Innovations said, “We are excited about the opportunities ahead. Nestlé Demonstration Dairy Farm is not merely a project, it catalyzes the positive change we are dedicated to through sustainable farming practices that protect our environment, animal welfare, and the well-being of our communities. We envision a future where this dairy farm serves as a model of excellence and an inspiration for others in the industry. We will continue to innovate, learn, and grow, always maintaining an unwavering focus on quality, sustainability, and community.”
In his address, the Honorable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha said, “The establishment of this model dairy farm demonstrates Nestlé’s unwavering commitment to contributing to the nation’s backward integration goals and aligns seamlessly with our national agenda for livestock development. By introducing modern farming practices, supporting local dairy farmers, and ensuring the production of high-quality dairy products, this project will not only boost our domestic dairy supply but also reduce reliance on imports, thereby strengthening our economy. In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for investments like this to thrive.”
The community members expressed their excitement with the location of the farm. Sulaiman Ahmed said on behalf of the Apex Union Leaders, “We are delighted that in addition to raising awareness about dairy farming, the demo farm will bring many benefits to our community. It presents us with the opportunity to access crossbreeds and serves as a training site for adopting modern dairy farming practices, particularly in feeding methodologies. The farm will also create more visibility for our community by attracting visitors and potential business partners.”
Nestlé Dairy Development Farm situated on 4 hectares within the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve is equipped with cattle sheds, a calf pen, maternity and sick bay. It also has a holding area and dip-tank, an automated milking system, and a hay barn. The farm has adopted sustainable practices including the use of solar power, and the establishment of a biogas system for waste management. It will serve as a training facility not just for the farmers within the NLDP project, but also for a wider range of stakeholders, including practitioners, academia and pastoralists.
This initiative is part of Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) strategy, which works with stakeholders and partners to create value for society while growing its business.
