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Food for Living: See the Big Picture
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
The future means many things to many people.
As a doctor responding to questions about the cure and future of the COVID -19 pandemic, your response will definitely be different and maybe uncertain. As an undergraduate, graduate, or a Ph.D student, your response will also be different when asked about your plans upon graduation. What of a business man/woman, a teenager, a parent, an entrepreneur, an organization, association, politician looking at the picture with a lens of the eye about what the future holds? If you’ll agree with me, your response to these questions will definitely mean different things to you.
If I may ask, what does the future mean to you? Depending on how you see the future, one certain thing is certain; you can create the future you want to see. During the course of this article, we shall be discussing the future from a transformational mindset approach. According to Abraham Lincoln, “the best way to predict the future is to create it”. Abraham Lincoln was literally saying that the way you make your bed is the exact way you’ll lie on it. Alternatively, you can say, your life is “technically” in your hands.
Ben Carson advised us in his book “Think Big” to always see the big picture about life as opposed to thinking like a mediocre. The journey of succeeding has many roads. During the course of the journey, you’ll experience many roadblocks, bumps, green light and red light. Despite all these challenges, one thing is almost certain, you’ll get to your destination if you play by the rules and do what you are supposed to do in addition to having your creator’s presence.
I used this illustration to show how challenging life can be as an individual, corporate organization, or even public sector entity desirous of bringing change to the sector.
It is generally expected that you will face challenges as an entrepreneur or business person trying to introduce or market your product. It is generally expected that as a single male/female believing your creator for the right partner, you will feel a certain way, especially when you feel you are mature for marriage; it is expected of a student to feel disappointed after investing time and resources to prepare for an examination, but fail. It is also expected for a Job seeker to feel frustrated when he receives rejection letters from prospective employers. The list can be literally endless.
If I may ask again, what’s the big picture you see ahead despite the circumstance you are currently facing? Do you see light at the end of the tunnel? If you’re determined to succeed in life, you must see the big picture. Your present situation does not determine how your life will end, regardless. It is normal to feel bad. It is okay to cry. It is okay to feel disappointed. It is okay to be vulnerable. It is normal to fail, but one thing that is not normal is for one to live in regret. Be rest assured that everything happens for a reason. Wisdom makes us understand that your eyes and feet are forward looking for a reason. Does that tell you something? Whatever has happened to you is an experience, don’t allow it to define you. Move on! They are all part of the learning curve. Remember, if you don’t have experience, it will be hard to tell your story. People resonate more with stories than action.
As a mentee, you may have reached out to mentors, potential investors, friends or even family members to support your business, but all effort seems to be hitting the rock, please hang in there. Don’t feel too dejected to the point of giving up when people reject your product or fail to support you; please don’t take it personal, or ever think that humanity is not helpful or kind. Remember, nobody owes you anything. Everyone has his/her own issues. For instance, someone might not feel attracted to your product, or might not be in the right position to support you, it can even be that he/she has another cause he’s passionate about. It is also possible that corporate originations might have exhausted their corporate social responsibility incentives by the time you reach out to them.
Great minds like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Tony Elumelu, Femi Otedola, Dr. Dele Momodu, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Nelson Mandela, Henry Ukazu among others are always concerned about the big picture. They have been able to rise from ground zero to shape the world with their products and thought-provoking ideas.
It is important to note that great minds have eagle eyes and are capable of rising above others and elevating their game. Seeing the big picture entails preparing for the big future you desire. Isn’t is true that words not backed by action are dead. As you may know, nothing good comes easy, you must be prepared to meet unforeseen challenges and be prepared to fight for the cause you truly believe in, and believe the universe will find favour in it and complement your work.
Your desire for success should always outweigh your fear for failure. Today, I charge you to think big, don’t settle for less, aim for nothing but the best in all you do and if you get the second best manage it but don’t aim for whatever is available. Raise your benchmark high like a lady with high moral standards, strong enough to attract a marriage partner.
What’s the big picture you are dreaming about, and hoping to achieve and what are you putting in place to bring it to reality?
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. 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 and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
Glo subscribers who use Palmpay app to recharge their lines are in for an exciting time as winners have begun to emerge in the ongoing second edition of the “Recharge and Win Bonanza”, a collaborative promo between Palmpay and Globacom.
The promotion rewards Glo users who recharge their lines via the Palmpay app with a chance to win premium prizes, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Infinix Hot 40, and several other exciting giveaways. According to a joint statement from both companies, the initiative is designed to encourage seamless digital recharges while rewarding customer loyalty in the process.
So far, winners have been announced from the latest draws, with several participants winning brand new Infinix Hot 40 smartphones and other prizes. Among the lucky winners are Basirat Mayowa Opatunji from Osogbo, Osun State, Wisdom Anayo Uzoma, Afeez Akanfe Muraina, and Oyedikachi Herbert.
To ensure convenience, winners outside Lagos will have their prizes dispatched to the nearest Palmpay office for pickup.
Participation in the promo is open until August 8, 2025, and is as simple as recharging a Glo line with ₦500 or more via the Palmpay app. Each qualifying transaction automatically enters the subscriber into a draw for a chance to win. In addition, a daily social media challenge offers more opportunities to win cash prizes.
Palmpay users also enjoy up to 6 percent cashback on Glo airtime and data purchases during the promo. Even better, customers who haven’t activated a Glo data plan in the last 90 days are eligible for a 100% bonus on their recharge.
One of the winners, Basirat Mayowa Opatunji, couldn’t hide her excitement after winning an Infinix Hot 40 smartphone. “I’ve always recharged my Glo line through the Palmpay app, but I never imagined I’d actually win a phone,” she said. Currently studying at Ekiti State University through the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun study centre, Basirat added that she would be picking up her prize in Osogbo.
To participate in the ongoing bonanza, Glo subscribers can simply visit: http://bit.ly/PalmPaySms
The Federal government has responded to the United States’ recent visa rules that reduce how long Nigerian visitors can stay in the United States and limit them to one entry per visa by calling on Washington to reconsider its new visa policy.
The U.S. Department of State had recently updated its non-immigrant visa policy for several countries, including Nigeria, on Tuesday.
Under the new rule, most non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be valid for only three months and allow just a single entry into the United States.
The changes took effect immediately.In a notice published on its website, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria state: “Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity. We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity. You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.
“The Federal government responded to this by describing the new US directive as “misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect” that ought to govern bilateral engagements between friendly nations in a statement released on Wednesday through Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson.
The Federal government said it views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.
“The attention of the Federal government of Nigeria has been drawn to the recent decision by the United States Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas including B1/B2, F and J categories to three months with single entry,” it stated.
“The Federal government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries. The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.”
It also claimed that this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.
The government also said it understands that every country has the right to make its own immigration rules, but it hopes the U.S. will “reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”
It also added that diplomatic engagements are ongoing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assembled a team of 97 lawyers to challenge what it describes as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ‘fake lawsuit’ against its interim leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
The legal team, led by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, accusing the ruling APC of filing a suit using the names of individuals who are not members of the ADC.
The latest development follows a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja between Senator Mark, who is now the ADC’s Interim National Chairman, and the party’s Kogi State chapter.
At the meeting, Mark assured Nigerians that under his leadership, the ADC would operate with total transparency and would not favour any presidential aspirant.
“I don’t own this party more than any other member… All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC,” he said.
He, therefore, urged party members to set aside their differences and focus on building a united political force, warning that Nigeria’s democracy could fail if citizens remain passive.
The ADC chairman also criticised the APC, saying the ruling party should focus on fixing its own policy failures rather than targeting individuals.
“If they admitted that insecurity was bad and promised to improve it but instead made it worse, should Nigerians continue to support them? The answer is no,” he said.
The ADC alleged that the APC had fabricated names in its lawsuit against the party’s interim leadership.
According to the ADC, investigations showed that the supposed plaintiffs in the suit were not registered members of the party in either Kogi or Nasarawa State.
“It smacks of desperation that a party entrusted with leading 200 million Nigerians would engage in such dishonesty,” the party said.
Mark used the occasion to call for national unity and encouraged Nigerians to support the ADC’s vision of a reformed and people-centred democracy.
“Let us work together to rebuild this nation for future generations,” he urged.
Barrister Sheriff, head of the ADC’s national legal support team, confirmed that 97 lawyers have volunteered to take up the case.
“We are fully prepared to defend the ADC and its leaders against this politically motivated attack,” he said.
