Metro
Food for Living: The Gift of Life
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By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
According to Gary Chapman in his best-selling book “The Five Love language”, there are five love languages, namely: words affirmation, gift, services, physical touch, and time. However, much as this article isn’t about love, I have to make this reference because of Chapman’s idea of gifts.
Do you know that life is a gift? Just imagine if you are to pay for the air you breathe, you will realize that one of the best things if not the best thing God did for humanity is to give us breath for free. Just imagine people who are on oxygen struggling to survive. Life is indeed a gift, but it is quite unfortunate many uniformed minds take it for granted.
Every day we are alive is a gift for a productive living. Yesterday is regarded as history because it is in the past, today is a gift because you can make use of the opportunity to create a better future and tomorrow is a mystery because you can’t control it, nor are you aware of what it will unfold.
According to Amit Ray, “Every morning is a gift of life – bring some smile on your face and welcome the happiness of life.” So live every day like you will not have any opportunity to make amend.
Did you know that the real gift of life is the legacy you leave behind when you depart this sinful world? Nobody really cares about the money you have if you didn’t use it to serve humanity. According to Debasish Mrindha, the real gift of life is not what you give, but who you become in the process of giving”.
As rational human beings, we all love gifts; there’s hardly any right-thinking human being who will receive a gift and turn it down all things being equal. Gifts are medicinal, they work like magic, especially when it comes at the right time. Did you know that one of the best ways to get the mind of a king or anyone is by giving him/her selfless gifts? Gifts play magical roles, it’s not about the size of the gift but the kind thoughts that go into the act.
In our contemporary world, it’s hard to find see people with selfless hearts who go all out for people. Most people who assist others do so because of what they have gained from the person. But the real great minds are the people who share regardless of whether they have been helped or not.
It should be noted that in all we do, we are offering ourselves to humanity. Whether you are working for a big or small company, you are offering your time and services which is a relative gift in order to be compensated by the company. If you can do an excellent job or go the extra mile, the company might be tempted to raise your pay or offer you more opportunities. Do you now see that every opportunity you have is a gift?
You can even use your gift selflessly to serve other people whether on the streets, in school, in church, or in government or non-governmental organizations without charging them. That’s a great way of showing people what you can do. A typical place most people use their gift to serve is in politics, where they offer voluntary services to politicians of interest. If the politician wins the election, he/she might appreciate the kind gesture with an appointment or recommendation.
Again, do you see life as a gift for you to serve?
Each of us has gifts but it’s quite unfortunate some of us don’t know how to use or discover our gifts. When you discover your gift, you will know you are talented. When some people say, artists, comedians, actors, footballers, etc. are talented, what they are simply saying is that they have discovered their talents and nurtured them well.
Did you know that if you know your gift, you don’t really need a job? Your gift is the talent your creator gave you at creation to solve problems. Your gift is your value; when you nurture it very well, humanity will search for you.
So, I will strongly advise you today to take time to think through life and discover your hidden gift and know what’s so unique about you.
If for any reason you can’t figure it out, kindly reach out to me, and as a human capacity coach, part of my job entails helping human beings unleash their potential.
In conclusion, according to Tony Robbins, “Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.”
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a Human Capacity & mindset coach. He’s also a public speaker. 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
Metro
International Day of the Girl-Child: Pad Me A Girl Foundation Holds Menstrual Health Outreach in Ogun
The Pad Me A Girl Empowerment Foundation has taken its menstrual health campaign to Igbesa High School (Junior), in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, providing free sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene pamphlets, exercise books and pens to over 100 schoolgirls to promote menstrual health, dignity and education.
The outreach, held on Wednesday, October 21, commemorated the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, whose global theme is “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”
The programme brought together girls from Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1 to 3 who participate in the school’s reading clubs for mentorship, reading activities and menstrual health education.
It was convened by Oyelami Yetunde Anuoluwapo and Blessing Kappo, teachers and Teach For Nigeria Fellows at the school, following an appeal for sanitary products, learning materials and health education support. The Foundation’s founder, Theresa Moses, responded by providing the requested items and facilitating an interactive session on menstrual hygiene management.
Speaking at the event, Moses said she was inspired by the girls’ determination and aspirations, stressing the need for sustained investment in their health, education and future.
“Invest in girls and Nigeria will rise. Every girl deserves dignity, education and the right to dream beyond child marriage. That is why we are here; to ensure no girl misses school because of her period,” she said.
She emphasised that access to menstrual hygiene products and accurate information helps girls manage their periods confidently and participate fully in school activities.
In a letter of appreciation, Oyelami and Kappo described the outreach as impactful and inspiring, noting that it enhanced the girls’ understanding of menstrual health, hygiene and self-confidence. They also said the support would help promote the students’ hygiene, school attendance and dignity.
“You did not just give pads; you gave our girls confidence and hope,” the teachers wrote on behalf of the school community, expressing gratitude to the Foundation and hope for future collaboration.
Mrs Amarachi Eze, Assistant Divisional Commissioner of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State Branch, also commended the Foundation for supporting the girls’ hygiene needs and development.
“We sincerely appreciate the Management of Pad Me A Girl Foundation for joining hands with the Association in supporting our girls on hygiene management. May God Almighty continue to uplift your foundation. Thanks for joining hands in the development of girls in our schools. Bravo,” she said.
The Foundation’s Media Coordinator, Mr Oluwatosin Simon Faleye, called on corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support initiatives that address period poverty and help girls remain in school.
“For over a year, we have been committed to ending period poverty and keeping girls in school. We call on corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support this cause for the betterment of Nigeria,” Faleye said.
The celebration also featured a student drama presentation highlighting the effects of child marriage, alongside reading and mentorship activities designed to encourage the girls to understand their rights, value their education and pursue their aspirations.
The Foundation also acknowledged the continued support of its sponsors and partners, including Access Bank, Pro Star Sports International, BL Consulting, Vita Baites Foods, Checkers, Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the 10th Nigerian National Assembly, the Senate Committee on Women Affairs (SCOWAS), as well as individuals and media organisations whose contributions have supported its broader mission of ending period poverty, promoting menstrual health education and empowering girls and women.
Abia State governor, Alex Otti, is set to flag off the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road in Aba, two major routes which poor condition has disrupted transportation, commercial activities and access to residential communities for years.
The governor’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, in a statement on Wednesday, said that work on the roads has begun ahead of the scheduled official flag-off.
The two roads are considered important to Aba’s commercial and industrial activities, with Uratta Road connecting several adjoining streets to Port Harcourt Road and Old Express Road. At the same time, Old Express Road serves as a key route within the city’s industrial layout.
Ekeoma said the roads had suffered neglect for more than 24 years, leaving some sections impassable and forcing residents and businesses to contend with difficult transportation conditions.
According to the statement, Uratta Road provides access to more than 100 adjoining streets. Its poor condition has affected residents, traders and small-scale manufacturers who depend on the road to transport goods and access their businesses.
The statement said the road had become waterlogged and overgrown with weeds, discouraging commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators from using it.
Similarly, the deterioration of Old Express Road forced heavy-duty truck operators, fabric merchants, spare-parts dealers and small businesses to use longer routes, increasing transportation costs and affecting productivity.
The government said the road reconstruction is part of its broader effort to restore Aba’s infrastructure and strengthen the city’s commercial base.
Aba, one of southeastern Nigeria’s major commercial centres, hosts manufacturing clusters, markets, and small and medium-sized enterprises that depend heavily on functional roads to move raw materials and finished products.
The government said the reconstruction would improve market access, reduce transportation costs, facilitate the movement of goods, and support businesses operating along the affected corridors.
Ekeoma cited the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road as an example of the administration’s infrastructure programme, noting that improved road access encouraged shops to reopen, attracted manufacturing activities and increased property rents along the corridor.
The government also said the new projects would complement other road interventions in Aba, including works on Ohanku and Obohia roads, as part of efforts to improve connectivity within the commercial city.
Beyond road construction, the administration said its projects include drainage systems, solar-powered streetlights, and pedestrian walkways, which it described as necessary to improve safety, accessibility, and flood resilience.
Ekeoma said Governor Otti views infrastructure development as an economic strategy rather than merely a construction programme, arguing that better roads would help businesses operate more efficiently and create employment opportunities.
He also quoted the governor as saying at an earlier church event that his administration is shifting attention from basic infrastructure improvements to healthcare, education, technology and industrialisation.
The governor, a former bank chief executive, was elected in 2023 on the Labour Party platform, defeating candidates from the major established parties in a state historically dominated by the Peoples’ Democratic Party.
Otti has remained in the Labour Party despite the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
His administration has made rehabilitating Aba roads and public infrastructure central to its governance agenda, presenting the city’s recovery as essential to reviving economic activity across Abia State.
MILO Nigeria, in partnership with former Nigerian national team captain and MILO Brand Ambassador Ahmed Musa, has concluded the inaugural MILO × Ahmed Musa Sports Clinic and Tournament in Kano, providing 2,500 young footballers with professional coaching, mentorship and competitive football experience.
Over two weeks, participants took part in 10 coaching sessions and competed in matches under the guidance of Ahmed Musa and experienced coaches. The programme combined practical football training with lessons in teamwork, discipline, resilience and confidence, equipping participants with skills and values that extend beyond the pitch.
The initiative culminated in a tournament at the Ahmed Musa Sports Complex in Kano, where Khamis Football Academy emerged as champions of the inaugural edition. Participants also received cash prizes, certificates and football equipment.
Speaking on the initiative, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Lead, MILO, said: “At MILO, we believe sport is a powerful platform for young people to discover their abilities, build confidence and develop values that extend beyond the field of play. Our partnership with Ahmed Musa brings together MILO’s longstanding commitment to sports development and the experience of an athlete whose journey from grassroots football to the highest level of the game can inspire the next generation. By combining his experience with structured coaching and competition, this programme has given young footballers in Kano an opportunity to develop their skills, learn from experienced professionals and better understand the commitment required to pursue their aspirations.”
For the participants, the clinic offered an opportunity to learn from an athlete whose football journey began in northern Nigeria and progressed to the highest levels of the sport, making his experience a source of inspiration for aspiring players.
Commenting on the partnership, Ahmed Musa said: “Nigeria has incredible football talent, but talent alone is not enough. Young players need good coaching, regular competition and people who will guide them. I am proud to partner with MILO and share some of what football has taught me. My message to these players is simple: keep training, listen to your coaches and work hard every day to improve.”
Musa also called for greater investment in grassroots football, emphasizing the importance of giving young players access to quality coaching, structured development and regular competitive opportunities.
The MILO × Ahmed Musa Sports Clinic and Tournament builds on MILO’s longstanding commitment to youth development through sports in Nigeria. Through its school-based and grassroots sporting initiatives, MILO continues to create opportunities for young people to participate in sports, develop their abilities and embrace values that can support them both on and off the pitch.
