Metro
Food for Living: The Gift of Life
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
A gospel musician, Matthew Ogundele, and three members of his crew, have been found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.
The other victims were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.
Reports said that the deceased were invited to minister on Tuesday, the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by fellow gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola.
Reports quoting a police source said the artistes arrived for the programme in the evening and performed late into the night.
Owing to the late hour, they reportedly decided to stay the night in the studio, where they were later discovered dead the following morning.
“The convener organised a three-day birthday praise which began on Monday. Matthew Ogundele and his crew were billed to minister on Tuesday. The programme lasted late, so they decided to sleep over in the studio. It was the next morning that information filtered in that their lifeless bodies had been found,” the source said.
A Christian blog, Omojesu, also reported the incident in a Facebook post, stating that the victims opted to stay overnight because of the distance between the studio and their homes.
“In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were reportedly invited to perform at a virtual birthday praise event at a studio around Ajah. Due to the distance, they decided to sleep over. Sadly, they were said to have passed away in their sleep,” the post read.
The matter was subsequently reported at the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, while colleagues and friends of the deceased have taken to social media to demand justice.
Images circulating online show traces of blood around the noses, mouths, and ears of the victims, triggering public concern and speculation over the circumstances of their deaths.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the case was reported on Wednesday by the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant.
According to her, Akinbola told the police that he left the artistes in his studio – located within the HFP Shopping Complex – on Tuesday night after buying food for them while they prepared for a music concert.
“He stated that the artistes returned to the studio with the food while he went home. However, at about 11am on Wednesday, he returned and discovered that the studio door was locked from inside.
“He raised the alarm, and the door was forced open. Upon entry, the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were found inside the studio,” Adebisi said.
She added that detectives immediately visited the scene and documented their findings, noting that no visible signs of violence were observed on the bodies.
“The corpses were taken to the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead. They were later deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation,” she said.
Adebisi also disclosed that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, for comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of death.
Adron Homes and Properties Limited, a leading player in Nigeria’s real estate industry, is proudly celebrating its 14th Anniversary, marking over a decade of transformative impact in affordable housing delivery, sustainable community development, and structured urban growth across the country.
Over the last fourteen years, Adron Homes has evolved into a nationally recognised real estate powerhouse, delivering over 60 livable estates and communities across Nigeria and enabling more than 100,000 Nigerians to achieve their property ownership dreams. With strategic developments spanning Ibeju Lekki, Lekki-Epe, Badagry, Shimawa, Papalanto, Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger State, and other emerging urban corridors, the company continues to reshape access to land and housing through affordability, innovation, and long-term planning.
Speaking on the milestone, the Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, described the anniversary as a celebration of vision, resilience, and unwavering commitment to empowering Nigerians through property ownership.
“Fourteen years ago, we set out with a clear vision to make property ownership accessible and achievable for every hardworking Nigerian. Today, we celebrate not only the growth of Adron Homes but the countless families whose dreams have become reality through our communities. Our journey has always been about impact, empowerment, and building environments where people can truly thrive.”
Highlighting the company’s philosophy of developing structured environments rather than just selling land, the Chairman emphasised Adron Homes’ focus on sustainable urban planning and community building.
“At Adron Homes, we build cities, not just estates. Each development reflects thoughtful planning, infrastructure, accessibility, and a long-term vision for modern living. As Nigeria continues to urbanise rapidly, our mission is to ensure that growth is inclusive, structured, and sustainable.”
Aare Adetola Emmanuelking also acknowledged the role of customers, staff, stakeholders, and media partners in the company’s sustained growth and national relevance.
“This milestone is a testament to the trust of our customers, the dedication of our workforce, and the unwavering support of our partners and stakeholders. Together, we have demonstrated that affordable housing can be delivered with quality, innovation, and integrity.”
Looking ahead, Adron Homes reaffirmed its commitment to expanding mass housing solutions, embracing technology-driven real estate innovations, and strengthening partnerships that contribute to Nigeria’s economic development and housing accessibility.
“The future of Adron Homes is defined by innovation, expansion, and deeper community impact. We remain committed to democratizing property ownership, building sustainable communities, and shaping the future of real estate in Nigeria for generations to come.”
As Adron Homes marks 14 years of excellence and national impact, the company continues to position itself as a catalyst for structured urban development and a trusted partner in the realization of property dreams across Nigeria.
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has confirmed the death of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC I) Mustapha Akiyode, who was killed during an ambush by suspected smugglers in Ogun State.
Akiyode was shot in the line of duty in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, along the Ilara–Ijoun axis in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area while participating in an anti-smuggling operation.
The Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, describing the incident as a painful loss and a stark reminder of the dangers faced by officers enforcing Nigeria’s borders.
Aliyu said the fallen officer paid the supreme price while defending the country against economic sabotage, adding that the Unit remains resolute despite the tragic incident.
“We lost a brave and committed officer in the course of duty. His sacrifice will not be forgotten, and it strengthens our resolve to intensify the fight against smuggling,” the Comptroller said.
During the briefing, Aliyu unveiled a renewed intelligence-driven anti-smuggling strategy aimed at dismantling smuggling networks, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening border security across the South-West corridor.
He said the strategy, which relies on intelligence gathering, targeted surveillance, and coordinated operations, has already produced significant results within a short period of implementation.
According to him, officers of the Unit intercepted 144 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and uncustomed goods across its area of responsibility.
Items seized include 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 used vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing, and 581 used refrigerator compressors classified as hazardous waste under Nigerian law and international conventions.
Also intercepted was a 20-foot container loaded with stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.
Aliyu said the seizures reflect the Unit’s renewed determination to disrupt smuggling syndicates and protect the Nigerian economy.
“Upon assumption of duty, I made it clear that we would confront smugglers with renewed vigour, professionalism, and strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for human dignity,” he said.
In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, the Comptroller revealed that the Unit intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica weighing about 1,431 kilograms.
He said the seizure significantly disrupted drug supply routes within the Command’s operational corridor.
Aliyu warned that drug trafficking poses serious threats to national security, noting that proceeds from the illicit trade often fuel banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes.
“Drug trafficking emboldens criminal elements, erodes societal values, and destabilises the nation. Those involved should abandon this path and embrace legitimate trade, as our resolve to enforce the law remains firm,” he said.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures. The combined Duty Paid Value of the intercepted items was put at N3.31 billion.
In line with inter-agency cooperation, the seized cannabis was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
The NDLEA, Aliyu said, commended the Customs Service for its professionalism and assured that the drugs would be disposed of in accordance with legal procedures.
The Comptroller concluded by reaffirming the Unit’s commitment to intelligence-led operations, improved officer safety, and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies to combat smuggling and related crimes.
