News
Food for Living: The Power of Silence
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Silence is one of the most powerful messages in communication, and in the world generally. Silence can mean so many things to different people depending on its usage and the context it was used. It has been used by great and influential leaders to send desired messages. It has also been used by employers, employees, friends, family members, business associates/partners, and even strangers to send intended messages.
For some people, silence means loneliness, isolation, or awkwardness.
In communication, silence is the most powerful arsenal to express one’s thoughts. This is because, in communication, it is not what is been said that matters, but what is not being said, therein, lies the message. Silence can be golden, and in most cases, can be misinterpreted if not used in the right way. Sometimes, the best way to encourage someone is to keep quiet. They will be forced to work on their project or craft.
Do you know mere listening to your mentors and knowledgeable people can transform your life? By practicing active listening, you’ll get to understand the spoken and unspoken words.
Furthermore, the best way to communicate with someone is to be clear and specific with your thoughts so as not to create confusion or misunderstanding. It is better to ask when you are not sure of anything. Moral: In doubt, do not act.
In our contemporary society, when some people achieve some commendable feat, they rush to their friends and social media to make the announcement, while others may not have the urge to share with the world, they just prefer to either to keep quiet or relate with close friends and family members.
There are many benefits that come with silence. Below are some of them:
1. Silence makes you wise. According to Kenny Rogers, an American singer, a gambler must know when to hold them, fold them and when to run away. As a public speaker, you don’t have to talk every time or respond to everyone. You must know how to communicate the right words to the right people.
2. Proper application of ‘silence’ keeps creates suspense. No one will know if you are bright, brilliant, or dumb once you are silent. This is because wisdom entails knowing when to keep silent. Do you know someone can be considered a smart person when he/she keeps quiet, and a smart person can be considered an informed person when he/she opens his/her mouth to speak? So, it is important to know when to speak and when not to speak. As a matter of advice, when in doubt do not speak, but rather ask.
3. Silence is ambitious. It is generally believed action speaks louder than voice. Sometimes, silence is louder than spoken words. Do you know you can humble your detractors with silence? In the journey of life, we evolve every day, we learn new things about ourselves. The best way to shut down the mouthpiece of haters is to attain success by working hard in silence and allowing your success to do the talking.
4. Silence reveals information. When you meditate, you get insights. When you pray, you communicate to God, and God talks to you. Do you know just spending time in nature or just sitting in your garden or going for a walk can give you a fresh understanding? Both silence and meditation only can only occur when you’re receptive to information, and you can’t be receptive to information if you are not silent.
In the general analysis, learning to use the power of silence has the potential to improve lives.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a mindset coach and 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 caan be reached via info@gloemi.com
Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, has cautioned against calls for self-defence from mauruding bandits and killer herders, warning that such a move could plunge the country into anarchy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi responded to recent comments by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who urged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and armed attackers, particularly in Benue and Plateau states.
General Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, had argued that reliance on the government for protection was no longer tenable given the spate of violence and killings in the country.
“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” Danjuma said during a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday.
But Governor Namadi rejected that approach, describing it as a dangerous path.
“He (T.Y. Danjuma) is a very senior security person, and his words deserve respect and analysis,” Namadi said. “But I think if you say citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, you’re causing anarchy. I don’t think we’ve reached that level yet.”
He argued that rather than encourage armed self-defence, the government at all levels must continue to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
“The government is doing its best in terms of security arrangements. If you allow the people to defend themselves, that means you are encouraging a crisis between farmers and herders,” the governor warned.
Namadi cited his administration’s approach to resolving the long-standing farmer-herder clashes in Jigawa State as a better alternative. According to him, when he assumed office, he prioritised non-violent conflict resolution strategies.
“When we came in, we decided to employ a lot of strategies and tactics, including dialogue,” he said. “We engaged traditional rulers, as well as representatives of both farmers and herders. We sat down, reached a consensus, and established standing committees to reconcile all parties.”
He added that these efforts helped halt a decades-long conflict:
“The people now understand that the 25 years spent fighting and killing each other were not worth it. Today, they are able to work, interact, and live together in peace.”
Governor Namadi further noted that Jigawa is currently not among the states facing severe threats such as insurgency or mass killings by bandits. Instead, the primary challenge had been farmer-herder clashes, which his administration has successfully curtailed.
“We thank God that Jigawa State is not affected by insurgency or insecurity for no. The major issue we are dealing with is the herders-farmers clash, and we are addressing it decisively,” he said.
Despite the worsening security in other parts of the country, Governor Namadi insisted that self-defence is not a viable solution and could deepen the crisis:
“So, I think the government is doing its best, both at the federal and state levels. The issue of asking people to defend themselves — I think we have not reached that level yet.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, has revealed that the North will, in the next six months, take a stand on who to support for the presidency in 2027.
He boasted that no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region.
In a video interview he granted in Hausa language, Baba-Ahmed, who appeared alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, lamented the state of the nation and urged northerners to resist divisive and deceptive politicians ahead of the next general elections.
He said: “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.
“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” Baba-Ahmed asked.
According to the former presidential aide, the North has suffered greatly during the Boko Haram insurgency, which affected all groups, Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others, highlighting the need for unity.
“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” he questioned.
He therefore warned against further marginalization of the North, noting that continued disregard for the region would have consequences.
“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say “enough is enough ‘. The injustice and sidelining must stop.
Baba-Ahmed urged the northern region to look beyond identity politics, stressing that competence and integrity should guide voter decisions.
“We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has charged Christians to embrace the virtues that Christ preached as the 2025 Easter celebrations hold this weekend.
While congratulating Christians in Nigeria in a goodwill message released from its Lagos Head Office on Thursday, Globacom admonished them to imbibe the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
According to Glo, “Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”
Globacom charged all Nigerians to espouse the lessons of selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society and called on all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
The company praised their perseverance through the 40-day Lenten period which comes before Easter as it emphasized the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
Easter comes yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of unhindered voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
