Connect with us

News

Food for Living: Success and the Wilderness Experience

Published

3 years ago

on

Greetings Destiny Friends,

The journey of life is such an arduous and challenging path. It’s filled with roses and torns. If truth be told, nothing good comes easy, because the price of success comes with pains, and among which is what I will call the wilderness of success. This is because sometimes you will be forced to remain alone in the ‘desert’ in search of understanding and direction.

Everyone of us has been in this kind of wilderness on several occasions. This wilderness is experienced in relationships/marriage, academic pursuit, spiritual evaluation, personal life and politics. The period of wilderness however, helps to prepare one for the task ahead.

To understand how the wilderness of success works, consider that before a gold is processed, it must pass through the furnace. The same applies to any genuine success. Let’s take the case of marriage for instance, most couples who celebrate a successful marriage must have worked on their marriage for many years. During the process, both parties might have hurt each other, understood each other, and tolerated each other in order to understand each other, especially how their temperament and personality work.

This principle is also applicable to every business or organization. Most big companies the world celebrate today were at one time in the wilderness, working on their businesses. Even students have stayed up late at night and early mornings to read. Most anointed men of God are not left alone in the search for blessings of God. Some of them have sacrificed their body and lifestyle through fasting to receive special anointing and grace from God.

So, if you want to succeed in life, you must develop your capacity and stamina to withstand the stress, challenges and vicissitudes that comes with success. You must be willing to come early to the party which can be any social-networking event to enable you network with the right people.

Let’s take a case study of a student in a school. Do you know that most of the people who sit in the front rows in any event or classroom, always come with great expectations? Yes, most times, they are very intentional and strategic because they want to be visible. These set of progressive individuals usually come prepared to learn, and they take good notes and listen with rapt attention. In reality, these are the real winners of life because they not only come to win, but they are also prepared to win and expect to win.

There are many lessons one will learn while in the wilderness. On a personal note, during my formative years in New York, I worked as a security officer for a substantial number of years even as a graduate of New York Law School. Life was truly challenging for me. I was inspired to write a book while working as a security officer. It wasn’t an easy process because I can remember when my security license got expired and my late mother was wondering how we’ll survive, I remember telling her this book will fly.

Why am I sharing this? I was in my wilderness trying to discover my path, and still discovering my path which eventually aligned because same book got me first international television appearance, which opened numerous television appearances, and took me to New York Times, United Nations and opened doors to many corporate organizations, Captains of industries and numerous opportunities and exposures just to mention a few.

I have always shared some of my top secrets to some of my close friends. One of the best things that has happened to me was working as a security officer because it enabled me to network with the high and mighty. Assuming I had a corporate job like I have now, I doubt if I would have been able to publish this book in addition to meeting the people I have met so far in my life.

Moral: Appreciate your wilderness experience because it will enable you to have a story. Remember, there’s always pain before gain.

I don’t know your storyline, but I’m here to encourage you to stay strong because this too shall pass. Just be strong and continue to build your craft.

There are stories of great people who have gone through similar process. A case of interest is Steve Harvey, who slept in his car for three years before fame and stardom located him readily comes to mind.

In conclusion, there will always be a wilderness before success is celebrated. So, continue to work hard in silence, and allow your success to not only announce you, but also make the noise. By the time you come out of the wilderness and narrate your story, it’ll resonate with people because people love inspiring stories that are relatable.

Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator.  He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate and creative writer Design Your Destiny and Unleash Your Destiny.  He can be reached via info@gloemi.com

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Police Arrest Father of ‘Fake’ PFIPC DG, Falana Kicks

Published

1 day ago

on

July 7, 2026

By

The police have arrested the father of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the disowned Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Reports said that police officers, on Monday morning, stormed the family residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and picked up Adeyemi’s father alongside a family friend who was visiting at the time. The arrest reportedly left Adeyemi’s elderly mother in distress.

The development is connected to the ongoing PFIPC controversy. The Presidency has disowned the council, saying no such body exists under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Adeniyi Adeyemi is currently facing charges bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences.

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), confirmed the arrest and faulted the police action, describing it as a “substituted arrest” with no legal basis.

“The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to show up in court, so why arrest his father?” Falana said.

Further reports quoting legal experts noted that under the 1999 Constitution, arrest and detention must be personal.

Section 35 guarantees the right to personal liberty and allows arrest only where a person is reasonably suspected of committing an offence. Section 42 further prohibits punishment by association.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled against “guilt by association,” holding that criminal liability in Nigeria is personal and cannot be transferred to relatives. Arresting a parent, spouse or sibling to compel a suspect to surrender is regarded as unconstitutional unless there is evidence that the relative aided or abetted the crime.

By that standard, detaining Adeyemi’s father solely because his son is facing trial would amount to substituted arrest, which courts have previously declared illegal and awarded damages against.

Adeyemi came under public scrutiny after the PFIPC was listed in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budgetary allocation of about N1.3 billion, despite the Presidency’s insistence that the council was never legally created. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has also stated that the council never completed requirements to operate a CBN account and has not received any government funds.

The matter was first flagged in October 2025 after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) raised concerns that the purported council was performing functions similar to those of the NIPC. The Office of the Chief of Staff subsequently petitioned security agencies over alleged forged presidential documents.

Police authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the grounds for the arrest of Adeyemi’s father and the family friend. Legal observers say they will be monitoring developments closely, with the possibility of a fundamental rights enforcement suit if the detention continues without charge.

Continue Reading

News

Falana Asks Gbajabiamila to Step Aside for Probe over Alleged PFIPC Fraud

Published

2 days ago

on

July 6, 2026

By

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has charged President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff (CoS), Femi Gbajabiamila, to step aside and give room for investigation into the allegation of fraud involving his office and the self-acclaimed Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

On June 11, 2026 Gbajabiamila denied knowledge of Adeyemi when he presented himself as the Director General of PFIPC which he claimed was non-existent.

Gbajabiamila said he petitioned security agencies in October 2025 after forged appointment letters surfaced and Adeyemi was later charged before the Federal High Court for forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

In his reaction, Adeyemi dismissed all the allegations against him, saying he was ready to clear his name in court.

Adeyemi called for an independent panel from Tinubu because those behind the allegations were trying to silence him, stressing that Gbajabiamila issued him an appointment letter.

However, Falana said the Presidency has explanations to make to Nigerians on Adeyemi’s travail.

Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, Falana insisted that the presidency has exposed Nigeria to “unprecedented ridicule.

He said: “How did an agency that is not created by law find its way into the Appropriation Act of Nigeria? How did that body get an office in the Federal Secretariat? How did that body successfully open accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria?

“How did the Head of Service post about 300 staff to that office? The government will have to explain to Nigerians how a sum of N24 billion was budgeted for an unknown agency, as well as how that agency had accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“If this is a conman that can con the Presidency into issuing a letter of appointment, con the Central Bank into opening accounts, con the National Assembly into inserting the agency into the budget, I think the government is kidding.”

Falana said the National Assembly must explain how an “agency unknown to law” was inserted into the budget. Citing Section 81 of the Constitution, he noted that appropriation bills originate from the Executive.

“You cannot have an agency that is not created by law in the budget of a country.

“The government has a duty to ask Mr. Gbajabiamila to step aside to allow for a full investigation in the interest of the country and even in his own interest.”

Continue Reading

News

Sack Gbajabiamila Now, NDC Tells Tinubu Amid Fake Agency Scandal

Published

4 days ago

on

July 3, 2026

By

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to an alleged multi-billion-naira corruption scandal involving a purported non-existent  government agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party described the allegations as grave and said Gbajabiamila’s continued stay in office could compromise any credible investigation into the matter.

The NDC’s demand follows allegations made by Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has publicly denied exists.

According to the party, the allegations raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability and integrity within the Tinubu administration.

The NDC alleged that despite the Presidency’s denial of the agency’s existence, the PFIPC purportedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and opened a domiciliary account, a Pound Sterling account and a Treasury Single Account (TSA) domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The party questioned how an agency described as non-existent could allegedly establish multiple high-level government financial accounts without official approval or the required documentation.

It also called on the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to explain whether forged documents were used in processing the accounts.

The statement further alleged that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for the purported agency, describing the development as another issue requiring urgent explanation.

According to the NDC, the allegations also include claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, reportedly valued at N27.39 billion, a request Adeyemi allegedly rejected.

The party also cited Adeyemi’s claim that he secured his appointment through the Chief of Staff after allegedly paying N600 million, of which N400 million was allegedly paid through proxies, while N200 million remained outstanding.

It said the alleged unpaid balance reportedly contributed to the Presidency’s subsequent denial of the agency’s existence.

The NDC further alleged that the claims point to a wider pattern of institutional corruption, including the alleged sale of public appointments.

The party also linked the controversy to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom it described as an intermediary between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff.

According to the statement, Tanimola reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, a day after the police reportedly received a petition from the Chief of Staff.

The NDC also referenced Adeyemi’s claims that he survived multiple assassination attempts, including an attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025, and alleged that certain individuals within government are plotting to eliminate him.

Against the backdrop of the allegations, the party demanded the immediate removal of Gbajabiamila to allow what it described as a full and impartial investigation.

It also called on President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the alleged operations of the PFIPC, including its budgetary allocations, financial transactions, account openings and staff recruitment.

The NDC further urged investigators to probe the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death and the alleged assassination attempts on Adeyemi, while recommending that Adeyemi be granted witness protection.

The party also demanded that the Chief of Staff produce all official documents signed since assuming office for forensic examination.

In addition, it called for the questioning of officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation over their alleged roles in the matter.

The opposition party also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to commence what it described as a thorough investigation without fear or favour.

“The NDC will not accept the usual tactic of issuing a mere defensive press release from the Presidency as a deflective ploy. Nigerians deserve to know the truth through a transparent process that promotes fairness and justice,” the statement said.

The Presidency has previously maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila had responded to the fresh allegations contained in the NDC statement.

Continue Reading