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Food for Living: The Power of Thinking Big
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
“As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big” – Former US President, Donald Trump
The world is not impressed with small minds, but intrigued by dreamers. As a result, one of the greatest gifts we have as human beings is the gift of imagination. We all have this gift, but not everyone of us has deem it fit to activate it. Did you know that to imagine or fantasize about life is free? Yes. You don’t need to pay to think. If you understand how to use the power of imagination, you can literally attract opportunities. It is quite unfortunate that some of us don’t know how to put our minds to work.
According to Napoleon Hill in his Book, “Think and Grow Rich”, whatsoever the mind can conceive, believe, it can achieve it. I personally believe, given every equal opportunity, everybody is a potential achiever because there are no dull brains, only brains undeveloped.
As a mindset coach, I understand the limiting factors that affect productivity of all men, and I have been able to work on my clients through the process to attract their heart desires.
While lesser minds see problems and either run away from it or delegate it to other people, greater minds see problems as a means of making an impact. Great men have been able to use their subconscious mind to solve the world’s problems, and that is why they are respected as great innovators.
When it comes to succeeding in life, the first point of call is the mind. Regardless of anything you would like to accomplish on earth, whether good or bad you will first think about it in your subconscious mind before manifesting it.
To think big means to think out of the box. If you come from a humble background like me, and have the desire to be a man or woman of means, like becoming a President, Governor, Professor, pilot, Judge, etc., it might generally appear impossible based on the circumstances surrounding you, but if you are courageous enough to work on your mindset, trust me, there’s no height you can’t attain.
A case study of interest is the former President of America, Barack Hussein Obama, who became the 44th President of the USA after defeating top contenders like Hillary Clinton to get the Democratic Party ticket and thereafter defeating McCain and Mitt Romney to win the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. The interesting story here is that Barack Obama’s father is from Kenya. Ordinarily, it will seem impossible for Barack Obama to win against Hillary Clinton and other credible and extraordinarily qualified white candidates to get the party’s presidential ticket not to talk of winning Mitt Romney a white man from a wealthy family. The significance of this analysis is that President Obama didn’t allow naysayers to kill his dream and vision. He believed in himself, and saw the possibility of becoming the first African-American President. Think big!
To activate the magical power of thinking big, here are some ideas to explore:
Thinking Big Gives You Motivation
Your goals and desires will motivate you. If you set goals, but don’t feel motivated towards them, perhaps, it is because your goals are not exciting or big enough. Isn’t it true that when things are normal, they don’t excite you.
Thinking Big Attracts the Right People and Opportunities
If you dream big, you will automatically attract other big dreamers into your life. Nobody likes to work with anyone who is uninteresting or has no vision. It’s a fact that like minds attract like minds. We all like to work with people who are passionate about a cause or vision. This is why big companies like Tesla, Apple, Facebook, Google, etc., are able to attract top talents.
On a personal level, most of the success I have recorded was because I refused to follow the status quo. I didn’t allow my environment or circumstances to limit me. For instance, during my formative years in the USA, I used to be a horrible writer. But over time, I have developed the art of writing by associating with the right people, inclusive of my mentors and mentees, and guess what, I’m still learning the art of writing. Today, I’m an author of a trailblazer book, and another book is in the pipeline.
Why Think Small When You Can Think Big?
Most people have the wrong perception of life. They believe that thinking big requires more work. Guess what, the same energy it takes to think small is the same energy it takes to think big. So why think small when you can think big? Thinking big is just a mentality.
It is instructive to note that Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Henry Ukazu, have 24 hours a day. So, it doesn’t mean that to achieve greater success, you will need to put in more time. It is your mentality that will shape the way you make decisions and the way you do things. According to Tony Robbins, “It’s not the lack of resources that causes failure, it’s the lack of resourcefulness that causes failure.”
It doesn’t matter where you are right now, how much money you make, your family background, your education, or who you are, to be successful, all you need is to be resourceful. Do yourself a favour by making thinking big your mantra.
Reading Makes You Think Big
According to Francis Bacon, ‘writing maketh an exact mind, conference maketh a ready man but reading maketh a full man”. Great readers are great leaders. You can literally travel miles of journey just by reading. Reading the autobiographies of great people will make you understand their thought process, their challenges, failures and general experience of life, and this can make you think big. The more you read, the more knowledge you gain and the better you can expand your view.
According to Oprah Winfrey, reading is “her personal path to freedom”. She said, “Books allowed me to see a world beyond the front porch of my grandmother’s shotgun house”.
Enlarge your dreams by networking.
You can expand your mind by networking with great minds. When you network with other successful people, you are expanding your mindset. According to Steve Jobs, “Start small, think big. Don’t worry about too many things at once. Take a handful of simple things to begin with, and then progress to more complex ones. Think about not just tomorrow, but the future. Put a ding in the universe.”
In conclusion, do you have any desire or ambition in life? No matter how impossible you think it is to attain a given desire due to certain perceived limitations, I want you to change that mindset by thinking big and seeing the possibility. After all, there’s no harm in thinking big when you can think at all.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s a Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate and creative writer. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your Birthright. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
News
‘He Died a Natural Death’ – Katsina Govt Announces Death of Gen Rabe Abubakar in Kidnappers’ Captivity
A Retired Major-General and former Director of Defence Information, Rabe Abubakar, is dead.
According to the Katsina state government, Abubakar died in bandits’ captivity.
The retired major-general and his wife were abducted in May while travelling through Katsina.
On June 6, a video showing Abubakar and his wife appealing to the Katsina government for the release of detained bandits and livestock surfaced online.
A statement on Saturday by Nasiru Mu’azu, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said Abubakar died from complications of diabetes and hypertension.
“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ captivity,” the statement reads.
“Despite the relentless and concerted efforts of the State Government and various Security Agencies to secure his safe release, the situation ended in this tragedy.
“The deceased Retired General died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension.
“His abduction and subsequent death are not only a loss to his family and Katsina State but a monumental loss to the entire country.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Katsina State Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, extends his deepest condolences to the family of the late General and the country at-large.
“The Governor has described this incident as a “dark moment” and a reminder of the urgent need for a collective and intensified front against the criminal elements threatening the peace of our communities.”
The Katsina government added that it remains committed to working with the federal government and security forces to ensure that those responsible for the heinous act are brought to justice.
“We assure the citizens of Katsina State that our resolve to eliminate banditry and ensure the safety of all residents remains unshaken,” the statement added.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time. May the soul of the departed Retired Major General Rabe Abdulakdir rest in eternal peace.”
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
The power in a name, or inspiration and influence they come with, when properly triggered and applied, cannot be overestimated. Influence and name are powerful, and run pari passu. This is because in the journey of life, there are certain heights one can’t attain even with their resources. And that’s where ‘names’ and influence come in.
One might have all the grades, skills, and knowledge, but getting an opportunity might be difficult. Imagine having a good grade in school, but can’t find a commensurate job. As a matter of fact, someone with less qualification and experience might get the job simply because a man of influence endorsed their candidacy. That’s why the saying; ‘a good name is better than riches’ is tantamount to a man with access to power is more influential than a man with knowledge but no access.
For one to succeed in our contemporary society, they need a helper who could either be a mentor, benefactor, an inspiration, or someone with influence, or all in one. All these refer to one thing – name. Names are powerful and open doors. A name can serve as an inspiration which can open doors of opportunity for anyone. I remember the day one of my mentors said to me that for his name to be on my resumè, I must earn it. That’s how powerful names can be.
To further buttress how powerful a name can be, let’s consider the following – In 2018, as a budding author, I reached out to one of my mentors, Chief Dele Momodu to give me a column to write in his online newspaper which is considered one of the biggest, if not the biggest online newspaper in Nigeria. He graciously agreed, advising me to be consistent.
Guess what, since that date, I haven’t missed a week. One may be wondering how I have been consistent,; well the answer is not far fetched, I couldn’t imagine failing Chief Dele Momodu. I couldn’t imagine producing articles that are below standard. In all sincerity, assuming someone else without a big name gave me the opportunity, maybe, I wouldn’t have taken it very seriously like I did for Chief Dele Momodu. This goes to tell you names are powerful.
Can you imagine working for the President of the United States of America or Elon Musk? One will almost be perfect. The same energy and detailed attention one pays to President Trump or Elon Musk will be different if given an opportunity to work for an elected council man or a businessman. This is because one would not like to risk a lifetime opportunity to serve with a man of influence.
The importance of inspiration in the life of a progressive man cannot be overemphasized. Everyone needs inspiration. Inspiration can come from various angles. It can be from a benefactor, mentor, teacher, parent, friend, a Minister of the gospel, or even one’s child.
Let me share a personal experience I had with another of my mentors – Dr. Joe Abah. In 2025, he organized #fitseptember physical exercise where he advised his followers to do a 30 push for the month of September. Again, in January, he organized #fitjanuary and I actively participated in it, and since then I haven’t missed one single day without exercising for at least ten minutes. Why is this analysis important? The name Dr. Joe Abah is a household name in Nigeria social-political space. Assuming it was a regular person who made the announcement on X, the comment wouldn’t have attracted the kind of attention that made it go viral.
Furthermore, it is worthy of note that there are five kinds of authority when it comes to principle of power in a name. They are; Revealed knowledge, empirical knowledge, rational knowledge, intuitive knowledge and authoritative knowledge. The focus here is on authoritative knowledge.
One may be wondering what authoritative knowledge is. This is a kind of knowledge reserved for those who have expertise on a particular issue or subject matter expert. When such a person speaks, their words are like law.
Let’s talk about men of influence. Men of influence are priceless. According to Apostle Joshua Selman, there are four kinds of destiny helpers: Divine Connectors, Men of Influence, Gifted People, and Burden Bearers. For the sake of this article, I will focus on men of influence. These are gatekeepers, mentors, or established experts with high credibility. Their endorsement or advocacy can override limitations, grant you access to closed doors, and elevate your trajectory.
In summary, honor men, but fear God because men are vessels God uses to bless people and humanity.
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 and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The Senate, on Thursday, directed the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intensify efforts to track, identify and arrest bandits and terrorists, who openly flaunt their activities and wealth on social media platforms.
The upper chamber said the growing trend of criminal groups operating openly online and displaying proceeds of crime without fear of arrest poses a serious threat to national security and undermines public confidence in the authority of the State.
The resolution followed a debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) on the worsening security situation in Kogi West Senatorial District and other parts of the country.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) expressed concern over what she described as the increasing boldness of bandits and terrorists, alleging that some criminal groups now use social media platforms to showcase their operations and distribute large sums of money.
According to her, suspected bandits recently conducted a giveaway on TikTok, allegedly distributing more than N100 million within 30 minutes through their social media accounts.
She argued that such activities provide security agencies with sufficient digital footprints and intelligence leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
“Two days ago on TikTok, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over N100 million within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles.
“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media.”
Her proposal that the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant agencies should intensify surveillance of social media platforms and prosecute criminals who openly advertise their activities online received overwhelming support from lawmakers and was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West).
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the public display of criminal exploits and huge sums of money on social media, describing it as a direct challenge to the authority of government and security institutions.
“The DSS should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” Akpabio said.
He noted that the online display of cash and criminal activities was designed to ridicule government efforts and create the impression that security agencies were powerless.
“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging government,” he added.
Akpabio urged heads of security agencies to treat the issue as a major national security concern and take immediate action against those involved.
He further warned that the Senate would demand explanations from relevant authorities whenever individuals who openly reveal their identities and activities online are not apprehended.
The debate arose from Senator Karimi’s motion drawing attention to the escalating wave of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and killings across communities in Kogi West Senatorial District.
Karimi lamented that armed groups had turned several communities into theatres of violence, forcing residents to flee their homes while disrupting economic, social and educational activities.
He cited the recent attack on Iluke-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly invaded a secondary school and attempted to abduct students writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.
According to him, the attack claimed the lives of the school’s vice principal, a teacher and another resident.
The senator also recounted a series of kidnappings and killings across Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba West, Lokoja and Kogi local government areas, warning that insecurity in the district was worsening and required urgent intervention.
Following deliberations, the Senate adopted a series of resolutions aimed at tackling the deteriorating security situation across the country.
The lawmakers called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police and the National Assembly to urgently work towards establishing an appropriate legal framework for the creation of state police.
The Senate also urged the Federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen the implementation of cashless transaction policies as part of efforts to curb ransom payments and other criminal financial activities.
It further called on the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service to tighten border security and surveillance to stem the influx of arms and the movement of terrorists and other criminal elements into the country.
The upper chamber equally advised State governments against negotiating or entering peace agreements with terrorists and armed bandits, maintaining that such arrangements have often failed to produce lasting solutions and, in some cases, emboldened criminal groups.
