Metro
Food for Living: The Power of Words
“You can change the course of your life with your words.” Anonymous
Every one of us has the power to shape not only our life but the life of the people around us. As a parent, you have the power to speak life into your unborn and living child. Nobody has the power to influence their life more than you. As a spouse, you have the power to speak life into your spouse’s life regardless of what they are hearing outside, what you say to them matters more. That’s why as a married man/woman, it’s always better to mind the words you use against your partner when you are angry. The same is applicable to anyone who is angry. When you utter such words, even though you may reconcile with your partner/friend, the words will still create a hole or wound in the heart of your partner/friend. That’s why it is advisable not to mix your words with your mood when you are angry, you can change your mood, but you can’t take back your words.
Even if you have a misunderstanding with anyone, raise your word, not your voice. Uninformed minds don’t realize that the tongue has no bones but is capable to break a heart. According to Pearl Strachan Hurd “Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.” Can you see how powerful and dangerous words can be? Each and every one of us is already going through stress and don’t need more stress, so it’s always good to leave one kind word on anyone you see. This is because one kind word can change someone’s entire day.
Do you know there’s power in words? Yes, this is because one of the most powerful force in the world is words. Even the Book of life made use to understand that, it is not what enters the mouth of a man that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth of a man. Do you know that the right words of words have a way of evoking emotions when used at the right time and right place?
The power of words cannot be overemphasized. As a man trying to woo a lady, you must have the right words to soften her heart. That’s why Gary Chapman stated “Words Affirmation” in his book “The Five Love languages as one of the love languages. Furthermore, when communicating with anyone, you need to know how to approach the conversation be it friendship, business, academic, spiritual, association, mentor/mentee, or even family. Your inability to use the right words can either make or mar your relationship.
Just to let you know how powerful words are, do you know when you speak, the walls hear your utterance, the ground stamps it and the air carries it. According to Lao Tzo, “watch your thoughts they become your words, watch your words they become your actions, watch your actions, they become your habit and watch your habit, they become your character, and watch your character, they become your destiny”. There are many instances of people who understood the power of words and used it to their advantage. It’s quite unfortunate, some uninformed, minds have attracted negative force into their life without knowing. These sets of people use words like I’m ugly, I’m broke, I’m not smart, I can’t make it, life is against me, etc on themselves. Even if you feel a certain way, quit uttering such words, don’t spit them out, let them die inside of you. The universe has a way of bringing them back to you later in life without you knowing. That’s why it’s always good to choose your words wisely.
To utilize the right words of words, always speak from your heart. When you speak from your heart, words can have great force. Words are deep and can carry deep emotions. Words are used to express how we feel emotionally. For instance, most ladies speak with emotions, while the majority of men are logical with their words. Words can be used to describe our thought process, our experience in life at the events we attend, and the people we meet.
As a way of advice, it’s always better to choose your words carefully before you utter them to others because you can’t take them back when it goes out. So, before you speak, chew your words by listening to yourself. I can vividly remember words that were used on me by my “supposed mentors” during my formative years in America, each time I reminiscence those words, I always smile because the biggest revenge is success. Due to my bad and horrible writing skills, one of my “supposed mentors told me “she has to be hard on me” another once told me “I will go back to Nigeria” because according to her, she doubt if I will be able to compete with the system in America. Guess, what, by the special grace of God, I have now an acclaimed author, but more than that, I’m a creative writer whose works have been published in my international and print media.
I’m not trying to boast about my accomplishment, rather, what I’m trying to say is that nobody, and I repeat nobody knows tomorrow. That’s life for you. The child of a certified pauper can become a man of means tomorrow if properly educated. That life is unstable for you now does not mean that’s how it will be forever, provided you are doing your best to improve, trust me, the universe has a way of connecting you to the right people if you have the right attitude and do what you are supposed to do.
Nobody has the power to make your life better more than you. That’s why it’s very important you speak life into your life. Even though your parents, friends, spouse, mentors, etc. speak life into you, the words you speak to yourself matter most and if they speak negativity into your life, you still have the power to change it by not listening to their words. Affirm to yourself what you want to become.
In conclusion, I will leave you with great quotes to inspire you on the power of words.
“Words can inspire and words can destroy”. Robin Sharma
“Your words have power use them wisely.” Anonymous
“The meaning behind the words, the feeling is more significant than the words themselves, so listen.” Anonymous
“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” Blaise Pascal
“Your words become your world.” Nadeem Kazi
“The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Anonymous
“May every word that is ever spoken by our mouths be words that lift up, and never words that tear down.” Anonymous
“Never underestimate the power of words to heal and reconcile relationships.”
Jackson Brown
“Beautifully crafted words have the power to captivate the mind of anybody.”
Sam Veda
“Your words carry amazing power. So when you speak make sure you uplift someone and never put them down.” Anonymous
“There is power in words. What you say is what you get.” Zig Ziglar
“Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out.” Anonymous
“Words have the power to make things happen.” Frederick Buechner
“A few nice words can help a person a lot more than you think.” Anonymous
“Our words have creative power. With our words, we can speak blessings over our future.” Joel Osteen
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
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled February 27 for the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro, the son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four other individuals over alleged conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, and involvement in a N1,356,057,330.43 billion fraud.
Others to be arraigned alongside Obanikoro are: Adejare Adegbenro, 51; Balmoral International Limited; M.O.B. Integrated Limited; and DDSS International Company Limited.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa set the date on Friday after the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
The Inspector General of Police, through the Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos, has accused all the defendants of conspiring between May and September 2013 to fraudulently obtain the sum of N1,356,057,330.43 from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank). They allegedly misrepresented themselves to the bank’s staff and officers, claiming they were involved in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria, and that the money was needed to finance the importation of a set of brand-new cars for resale.
The defendants are also accused of converting, transferring, retaining, or taking possession of the funds, knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of unlawful activity. Additionally, they are alleged to have unlawfully converted the sum of N1 billion belonging to the bank for personal use.
At the hearing on Friday, prosecutor M.Y. Bello informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the arraignment of all defendants. However, he requested a new date to allow all the defendants to appear in court and take their pleas.
Counsel for the defendants, Joshua A., explained that his clients were not in the country. He added that only the companies named in the charge had been served with the charge sheet. He assured the court that all defendants would be present at the next adjourned date to take their pleas.
In light of these submissions, Justice Lewis-Allagoa adjourned the matter to February 27 for the arraignment of all the defendants.
The five-count charge against the defendants reads: “That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), between May and September 2013 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, conspired to commit felony, specifically obtaining money by false pretenses, and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8(i)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), between May and September 2013 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,356,057,330.43 (One Billion, Three Hundred Fifty-Six Million, Fifty-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred Thirty Naira, Forty-Three Kobo) from Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc) by falsely representing through its staff and officers that you and your companies were in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria. Based on this false representation, the bank released the money as a loan, which you then diverted to your personal use. This action is contrary to Section 1(i)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), between May and September 2013, in Lagos, directly or indirectly converted, transferred, retained, or took possession or control of N1,356,057,330.43 (One Billion, Three Hundred Fifty-Six Million, Fifty-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred Thirty Naira, Forty-Three Kobo) belonging to Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc), knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of an unlawful act. This action is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), sometime in May 2019 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) from Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc) by falsely representing through its staff and officers that you and your company, DDSS International Company, were in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria. The bank released the money to you as a loan, which you subsequently diverted to the account of another company, Balmoral International Limited, to disguise the true origin of the funds. This action is contrary to Section 1(i)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), sometime in May 2019, in Lagos, directly or indirectly converted, transferred, retained, or took possession or control of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) belonging to Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc), knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of an unlawful act. This action is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Abuja, the nation’s federal capital, came alive with joy and excitement on Wednesday as a new set of winners in the ongoing Globacom Festival of Joy promotion received mouth-watering prizes they won at a special presentation ceremony held at the premises of Globacom at Aminu Kano Crescent.
A glittering brand new Toyota Prado, a brand new Kia Picanto, tricycles (Keke Napep) and scores of other prizes including power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines were handed over to joyful winners.
Sarah Ilya Madu was presented the keys to her brand-new Toyota Prado by Senator Simon Lalong, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth Development, supported by a stellar cast of celebrities and influencers.
Sarah, a federal civil servant from Borno State, who emerged winner of the Toyota Prado in the draw of the promotion held in Abuja last Friday, expressed shock when she was called up. She dropped the call from Globacom several times because the news was too good to be believed.
She said, “I was prevailed upon by my colleagues to do a video call with the Glo staff who called me. Even when I saw the office environment, I was still doubtful.” She added that when she eventually agreed to visit the Glo office, she went with a hefty colleague just in case she was being set up.
Ufot Victor, a 43-year-old businessman based in the FCT, was expectant about winning as he had been recharging regularly so as to cross the minimum requirement for a car. Winning a brand new Kia Picanto was a huge reward for his dedication.
Other lucky winners also went home with tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines. Ireimiya Mallo, a SIM registration agent and native of Nasarawa State, who won Keke, said, ”I was so joyful on learning I had won a Keke”. He disclosed that he would be deploying it for commercial purpose”, while the winner of a power generating set, Felix Gabriel, thanked Globacom for always remembering Nigerians every year in its annual promos.
The Special Guest, Senator Simon Lalong, praised the Chairman of Globacom for putting the promo in place for Nigerians and also extolled his strong support for sports. He said he would love to be a winner in the Glo promo one day soon. Also Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the spokesman of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth Development, said Globacom has always been a brand after his heart, adding that the network is not just attracting customers but also giving out to show that it means well not only for the customers but also for Nigerians.
In his remarks at the event, Globacom’s Head of Division, North West, Mr. Kazeem Kaka, said that to participate in the Festival of Joy promo, new and existing subscribers should dial *611# so as to opt into the promo and to keep recharging thereafter to meet the threshold for the various prizes. He added that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.
Guests at the event included representatives of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mariam Imam, Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs at the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Moses Iyi; comedians, Tee A, Seyi Law, and Gordons.
Others were Nollywood duo of Ebube Nwagbo and Juliet Ibrahim as well as popular content creator, Kiekie.
U.S immigration and border officials will be able to arrest migrants at so-called “sensitive” locations again, after the Trump administration overturned policies limiting where such arrests could happen.
Officers will now be able to make arrests at designated “sensitive” areas, including houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.
Officials have been prohibited from doing this since 2011.
Later, the Biden administration expanded the regulation, further restricting the authority’s powers.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
A second directive reinstates the ability for the U.S. to quickly deport any undocumented person arrested who is unable to prove they have been in the country for more than two years.
