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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
Residents of Lagos have taken to the internet to express their frustrations as floodwater take over different parts of the State.
Unceasing rainfall since on Sunday has caused many households displaced, while schools and workplaces have been temporarily shut.
Commenting on the development in an X post Tuesday, a governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour wrote: “The flooding we are witnessing across Lagos is yet another reminder that waste management, stormwater drainage, and urban planning are inseparable. You cannot neglect one and expect the others to function effectively…
“Despite repeated promises, the city continues to flood year after year, with no comprehensive drainage strategy or innovative approach to building a climate-resilient Lagos…
“Sadly, poorly regulated sand filling, unchecked development, the destruction of wetlands, and weak urban planning have displaced several vulnerable communities and exposed millions of residents to damaged homes, ruined vehicles, lost businesses, and reduced productivity. “
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier forecast that 2026 would witness above-normal rainfall, with Lagos expected to experience a greater impact due to its coastal geography and low-lying terrain.
Writing on X, @abazwhyllzz wrote: “Lagos residents are going through a lot this rainy season.”
@Morris_Monye shared a video and added: “Just look at the flooding going on round Lagos. My goodness. If a toddler falls down here, it’s finished.”
@Accoid commented: “I was so early into that Ikorodu road flood yesterday, I quickly maneuvered my way into ilupeju where I saw line up of Mercedes Benz all parked, I turned around inward town planning towards Onipanu, that was how I escaped that Ikorodu road flooding stress.
“At Kayode onipanu, I saw flood layered with heap of waste caused mostly by road side vendors.
“Lagos people, stop selling by the road side, you’re causing traffic and also clogging the gutters!
“By the time I joined Ikorodu Road from Onipanu, not a single car on the highway, every human driving from Anthony, Obanikoro was stuck behind.”
@Vibesznnz disagreed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway under construction was the cause of the flooding: “The coastal road is not the cause of the flooding in Lagos. Eko Atlantic, which is close to the road, is not flooded. So how can areas far away be flooded and people blame the road? That logic doesn’t add up.”
Also, @e_galoti wrote, “The Lagos flood situation is crazy. It used to seem like a joke when people talked about using canoe during the rainy season. Now it’s looking real.”
The Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said on X on Monday, while commenting on the suggestion that roadside vendors should be stopped to protect drainage, that Lagosians must take responsibility.
He said: “As a government, we have continued to intensify efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding through the clearing of drainage channels, enforcement against illegal developments obstructing waterways, and other proactive interventions. At the same time, we appeal to all Lagosians to play their part by refraining from indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal dumping, and other activities that obstruct the free flow of storm-water.
“Given NiMet’s forecast, the risks associated with heavy rainfall remain significant. Government will continue to do its part, but safeguarding lives and property also requires the cooperation and collective responsibility of every resident.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced its 2026 recruitment exercise for qualified Nigerians seeking to join the agency.
According to the Corps, the online application portal will open on Friday, July 3, 2026, and applications will remain open for four weeks.
The recruitment exercise is completely free, and applicants have been advised to submit their applications only through the official FRSC recruitment portal while avoiding fraudsters demanding payment.
Here are 15 requirements every applicant must meet before applying:
1. You must be a Nigerian by birth
Only Nigerians by birth are eligible to apply for the recruitment exercise.
2. Meet the required age limit
Applicants must fall within the age range specified for the cadre they are applying for.
3. Be computer literate
The FRSC requires applicants to possess basic computer skills.
4. Be medically, physically and mentally fit
Candidates must be certified fit to perform the duties of the Corps.
5. Applicants must be single
Only unmarried candidates are eligible to participate in the recruitment exercise.
6. Meet the minimum height requirement
Male applicants must be at least 1.65 metres tall, while female applicants must have a minimum height of 1.58 metres.
7. Have a valid professional licence where required
Applicants for professional positions such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and lawyers must possess valid practising licences.
8. Be of good character
Candidates must have no criminal record and must not be financially indebted.
9. No tattoos allowed
The FRSC stated that applicants must not have tattoos on any part of their bodies.
10. Use a personal email address and phone number
Applicants are required to provide their personal and active email address and telephone number throughout the recruitment process.
11. Declare all qualifications
The Corps warned that all academic and professional qualifications must be declared during application, as undeclared certificates will not be recognised later for career progression.
12. Pregnant applicants are advised not to apply
The recruitment notice advised prospective applicants who are pregnant not to participate in the exercise.
13. Meet the educational qualification for your preferred cadre
Applicants must possess the required qualifications for the position they are applying for. These include SSCE, ND, NCE, HND, Bachelor’s degrees, MBBS, Law, Engineering, Nursing and other recognised qualifications, depending on the cadre
14. Drivers and artisans must have additional qualifications
Applicants applying as drivers, motorcycle riders or artisans must possess Trade Test Certificates or other relevant professional certificates. Drivers must also have the appropriate class of valid driver’s licence, while articulated and tow truck drivers must be between 26 and 40 years old.
15. Prepare all required documents
Applicants should have the following documents ready before applying:
- Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age
- National Identity Number (NIN)
- Educational certificates
- NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate (where applicable)
- Valid professional licence (for professional cadres)
- Trade Test Certificate (for artisans)
- Valid driver’s licence (where applicable)
- Medical fitness certificate from a government hospital
- Printed copy of the online application form for the screening exercise
The FRSC urged interested Nigerians to complete their applications within the four-week application window and warned members of the public not to pay anyone for employment, stressing that the recruitment process is free of charge.
By Hezekiah Deboboye Olujobi
INTRODUCTION
Justice is the foundation of every civilized society. Yet history has shown that innocent persons can sometimes be convicted while the guilty go free. The case of Adeyemi Faleye presents one of such disturbing examples.
For fifteen years, Adeyemi Faleye, a taxi driver and father of twins, lived under the terrifying shadow of death following his conviction for armed robbery.
But in 2023, hope rose like the morning sun.
A court registrar, who understood the mission of CJMR and knew its commitment to reviewing forgotten cases, contacted the Centre for Justice, Mercy and Reconciliation concerning Adeyemi Faleye’s case.
That single contact opened the door to a fresh search for truth.
By 2024, CJMR had carefully reviewed the records of proceedings, the judgment, and the available court processes.
What emerged from that review was deeply troubling: serious questions surrounded the integrity, credibility, and reliability of the evidence upon which Adeyemi Faleye’s conviction had been founded.
THE BEGINNING OF THE ORDEAL
On 28 February 2011, Adeyemi Faleye left home in search of his daily bread. According to him, while travelling from Aferiku towards Idiroko, his vehicle developed a mechanical fault at Mede. While waiting for his mechanic, he was apprehended by members of the OPC vigilante group. That arrest marked the beginning of a fifteen-year nightmare. He was subsequently charged with conspiracy and armed robbery and was sentenced to death by hanging on 13 February 2018. Throughout the trial, he maintained his innocence.
CJMR’S INTERVENTION
As part of its prison ministry and wrongful conviction review programme, CJMR visited Adeyemi Faleye in custody. Following his persistent claim of innocence, CJMR undertook an independent forensic review of the judgment, witness testimonies and court records.
ISSUE ONE: THE ARREST NARRATIVE COLLAPSED
Adeyemi stated that he was arrested around 8:30 a.m. beside his broken-down vehicle by OPC vigilantes. However, police witnesses presented conflicting accounts, including a claim that he was arrested after a gun battle near the scene of the crime. The OPC vigilantes who allegedly arrested him never testified. If he was arrested beside his vehicle, how could he simultaneously have been arrested at the scene after a gun battle?
ISSUE TWO: CONTRADICTORY PROSECUTION EVIDENCE
PW1 stated that the robbery occurred around 8:00 p.m. on 27 February 2011. PW2 stated that it occurred before 10:00 p.m. PW3 claimed that the complaint was reported around 3:10 a.m. on 28 February 2011, while PW4 stated that the incident occurred on 28 February 2011 at about 1:00 a.m. These were not minor discrepancies but material contradictions going to the root of the case.
ISSUE THREE: THE CONFESSIONAL STATEMENT
The conviction rested substantially on an alleged confessional statement. Adeyemi denied making the statement and maintained that it was written by the police. The statement itself conflicted with the prosecution’s timeline. According to the statement, the robbery occurred around midnight or 1:00 a.m., whereas prosecution witnesses placed the incident between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The unavoidable question is: who truly made the statement?
ISSUE FOUR: THE QUESTION OF REASON AND LOGIC
The prosecution’s narrative suggested that armed robbers remained around the vicinity of the crime scene for many hours after the robbery. Is it probable that armed robbers would remain in the same environment for as long as twelve hours waiting to be arrested? No independent witness testified about any gun battle, no petrol attendant testified, and no forensic evidence linked Adeyemi to the alleged crime.
THE TURNING POINT: WHEN THE TRIAL JUDGE SPOKE BEYOND THE LAW
After sentencing Adeyemi Faleye to death, the learned trial judge recommended him for executive pardon. This recommendation was highly significant. It suggested lingering concerns regarding the totality of the evidence and the moral certainty required to justify the irreversible punishment of death.
For CJMR, this recommendation became one of the strongest pillars upon which its intervention was anchored. When a judge convicts with the law but pleads for mercy, it may mean that the law has spoken, but justice is still unsettled.
CJMR’S FIRST INTERVENTION IN 2024
Following its forensic review, CJMR prepared and presented a comprehensive petition to the Ogun State Board of Mercy in 2024. The petition highlighted contradictory evidence, conflicting accounts of arrest, failure to call material witnesses, and the doubtful confessional statement. Upon review, the authorities commuted Adeyemi’s sentence from death to life imprisonment. While this removed him from the shadow of the gallows, CJMR maintained that the case pointed to a possible wrongful conviction.
CJMR RETURNS TO THE CASE IN 2026
In 2026, CJMR embarked on a wider exercise of gathering complaints of wrongful convictions across the South-West. During this process, thirty-two complaints were received. Out of these, fourteen cases involving nineteen persons were carefully selected for further review and intervention.
It was within this broader justice initiative that CJMR revisited the case of Adeyemi Faleye and once again approached the Ogun State Board of Mercy.
This time, CJMR argued that mercy alone was insufficient. The Board was urged to consider the totality of the evidence, the contradictions in the prosecution’s case, the doubtful confessional statement, and the recommendation of the trial judge himself.
CJMR maintained that where substantial doubt exists, justice demands more than commutation.It demands freedom.
AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS
After fifteen painful years of incarceration, the Ogun State Government under Governor Dapo Abiodun granted
On 24 June, 2026 Adeyemi Faleye amnesty. The taxi driver who once stood under the shadow of the gallows walked out of prison a free man. His story reminds us that the search for justice does not end with conviction. Truth, persistence and restorative justice can still prevail.
Hezekiah Deboboye Olujobi CRJ is the
Founder, Centre for Justice, Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR)
