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Food for Living: Take Nothing for Granted
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
The joy of life, it is generally believed, is not how happy one is, but how happy others can be because of them.
One of the best things that can happen to any human being is to have people in his life that money cannot buy. It is unfortunate however, that most people place more value on money than on resourceful people. It’s also sad to note that most people relate to others because of money, vested interest or what they hope to gain as opposed to associating with people based on what they are.
It is this attitude that makes some people relegate others because of how they perceive them. It is therefore, important to desist from looking at people based on the imaginary image and perception you have of them. Sometimes in life, appearance is not reality.
According to Dr. Dele Momodu, “the child of a certified pauper can be a man of means tomorrow if properly educated”. This literally goes to tell show that in the journey of life, nothing is guaranteed, and as such, one must not take anything for granted because nobody knows tomorrow.
According to an adage in my culture, nobody knows the stomach that would give birth to a king.
This principle is applicable in all areas of life. Whether you are in the family, academic, business, spiritual, entertainment and social-political industry, your ability to pay attention to details will pay you in the long run. Let’s take for instance, in a family, as a married couple, when respect is lacking for a man and admiration is lacking for a woman, the relationship has a great tendency to crash. In academics when you don’t take time to study, do assignments and doing the needful as opposed to having a lackadaisical lifestyle, you are likely to have a hard time succeeding.
If you are in the entertainment and socio-political industry, and you don’t have the right attitude to manage people and resources, you are bound to lose it. Your ability to assist people will serve as a currency for you tomorrow when you need it because human beings are the “greatest” asset you can build. When you help people when you have the opportunity, you will have a greater opportunity of reaping the benefits in due time, but when you fail to assist people, you will die alone. So, don’t take anyone or anything for granted because they might be the chair you will need to sit down tomorrow.
The days of humble beginnings are very critical to the success of anyone. When you disregard the days of humble beginnings, you are merely saying you don’t know who you are, where you are coming and where you are going. Imagine starting a business from scratch and you were able to build it with the right principles, structure, and network, only to destroy it with ingratitude and pride when you think you have arrived. Imagine being blessed with the gift of prophecy and healing and you decide to taint it by engaging in immoral acts, you are likely to lose it.
Successful people are usually quite thorough; they pay attention to details. They don’t take people for granted. You can say they are fastidious. They know too well that every little mistake they make can crash their business. They also know too well, the ability to manage people very well can be the ice breaker to their next breakthrough.
Many people who have truly succeeded, didn’t succeed because they have it all together, apart from having the support of benefactors, friends, family, strangers, mentors, etc., their ability to do common things in an uncommon way plays a critical role to their success. For instance, in most progressive corporate organizations, political positions, religious organizations etc., if you can successfully execute any task, greater opportunities will be given to you. Your success might not only be attributed to your knowledge, but it could also be how you were able to manage people.
Most of the success and opportunities I have attained in life is simply because of the attitude and the ability to successfully manage the task that has been
given to me in addition to building a solid relationship.
According to Myles Munroe, whatsoever you don’t manage, you will lose, so don’t take anything for granted. If you don’t manage your friendship/relationship, you will lose it, if you don’t manage your finances, you will lose it, if you don’t manage your health, you’ll lose it and if you don’t manage your mistakes and failures very well by learning from it, it can end your life if you dwell on it for a long time.
According to Jennifer Young “Pause and remember every single event in your life, especially the difficult lessons, have made you smart, strong, and wider than you were yesterday. Be Thankful”. So don’t take any situation lightly.
In conclusion, if you are desirous of getting to the next stage in life, adopts of Francis of Assisi ‘ start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible”. While doing this, please exhibit a great attitude, manage people very well by not taking anyone for granted.
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
A Federal High Court in Abuja has authorised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) over an alleged investment fraud amounting to over one billion dollars.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who issued the order on Thursday after the EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved an ex-parte motion, stated that the detention would be pending the conclusion of the investigation into the alleged offenses and possible prosecution.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant (EFCC). I have also reviewed the affidavit evidence, including the exhibits, along with the written address. I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious. Consequently, the application is granted as prayed,” the judge held.
The six suspects listed as the 1st to 6th defendants are Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.
In the ex-parte motion filed on April 23 by Yusuf, the EFCC sought an order from the court to issue warrants of arrest for the defendants and an order remanding the defendants in custody pending the conclusion of the investigation into the alleged offenses and possible prosecution.
The lawyer stated four grounds for the motion, noting that the EFCC has a statutory duty to prevent and detect financial crimes through investigation. She also mentioned that there was intelligence received by the office of the commission’s chairman regarding the defendants, concerning various criminal offenses.
She said: “The defendants are at large, and a warrant of arrest is required to apprehend them for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.”
In the affidavit supporting the motion, the EFCC stated that in April 2025, it received intelligence about an alleged investment scheme fraud involving the defendants.
It was alleged that the defendants and their company, ST Technologies International Limited, in collaboration with another company, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), orchestrated the fraud. The case was assigned to the EFCC’s Cybercrimes Section for investigation.
The agency revealed that preliminary investigations into the intelligence revealed:
“That Messrs. Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede, through their company, ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), by advertising and luring unsuspecting members of the public to invest in cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform.”
The EFCC also stated that the defendants promised unrealistic returns of up to 100% on investments.
“That the victims were made to convert their digital assets into USDT stablecoin for deposit into the suspects’ crypto wallet.
“That the victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investments. However, following deposits worth over $1 billion by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible, and they could no longer withdraw their investments.
“That the victims later discovered that the scheme was a scam.”
During the investigation, it was discovered that although ST Technologies International Limited was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.
The EFCC also uncovered that the defendants had moved out of their last known addresses in Lagos and Ogun states. The agency added that a warrant of arrest was necessary to place the defendants on a red watch list so they could be traced and apprehended to face the charges against them.
According to the commission, the investigation into the allegations revealed a prima facie case of investment fraud, and it would be in the interest of justice to grant the application.
The Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government Area in Lagos State, Mr Oluwagbenga Abiola, has withdrawn his interest to vie for the chairmanship position of the LG in the upcoming July 12, 2025 council election.
Abiola said he stepped down for Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Abiola, who is a political protégé of the Speaker, says his decision was borne out of his loyalty to Obasa, denying that he was forced to step down.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola affirmed his loyalty to the party and to Speaker Obasa.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola reaffirmed his commitment to the party and to Speaker Obasa.
He emphasised that his withdrawal was a voluntary and conscious choice in support of Obasa’s son.
On Monday, Agege stakeholders had urged Obasa to allow his son, Abdulganiyu, to contest the council chairmanship, citing the Speaker’s significant contributions to the development of Agege and his long-standing political influence in the area.
In response to rumours that he had been pressured to withdraw, Abiola made it clear that he remained deeply appreciative of Obasa’s role in his political career.
He further pledged his full support for the Speaker’s leadership, stating that he would never act against the party’s direction or Obasa’s guidance.
“I will never go against my leader, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. This is the man who made me,” Abiola stated. “He appointed me Special Assistant on Media when he became Speaker in 2015.
In 2016, I was appointed Sole Administrator of Agege LGA, thanks to his recommendation to the governor. That appointment made me the youngest council boss in Lagos State at the time.
“In 2017, I became Secretary to the Local Government, and in 2021, Vice Chairman — all through the party’s and Speaker’s support. So, why would I oppose a man who built me politically and helped me grow in experience and influence?”
Although Abiola admitted to having aspired to the chairmanship, he made it clear that he respected the party’s collective decision.
“Yes, I aspired. Every Vice Chairman dreams of becoming Chairman. But the party has spoken, and I fully agree. Leaders and stakeholders have united. They’ve asked the Speaker to allow his son to contest, and I respect and support that,” he stated.
Abiola also expressed his commitment to serving the people, stating that he believed greater opportunities would come in the future.
“I trust my leader. He knows what’s best and can recommend me for even greater responsibilities when the time is right,” he said. “I’m still young and full of energy. I’ll work for the party and ensure we achieve victory.”
Abiola said he had instructed members of his Obasa Youth Alliance to fully support the party’s decision.
The West African Examinations Council has revoked the licences of 574 secondary schools in Nigeria.
WAEC announced that the affected schools were found to have committed examination malpractices.
The examination body also stated that the schools will not be allowed to conduct examinations even as the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, commences from Thursday, April 24, 2025.
This was disclosed by the Head of WAEC’s National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, during a press briefing on Thursday at the headquarters of the examination body in Lagos.
Dangut said WAEC had forwarded the list of the affected schools to the Nigerian government.
“This year, we have shared with them a total of 574 schools that have had their recognition withdrawn, and that is also going to be the same for all examining bodies.
“So, these are those that have got their license revoked as far as the examination centre is concerned. So we will not conduct examinations there. We don’t know them as far as conducting examinations,” Dangut said.
For the forthcoming 2025 WASSCE, Dangut stated that 1,973,253 candidates registered for the examination from 23,554 schools.
He added that 979,228 males and 994,025 females would take part in the examination.
The Punch
