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Food for Living: Unleash Your Destiny
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It’s with all pleasure that I wish to inform you that my second book titled Unleash Your Destiny – 50 Nuggets for Living A Purposeful and Impactful Life is ready for publication, and it will be out anytime soon. I know many of my esteemed friends and followers will be surprised to be hearing about it here for the first time. Well, sometimes, it’s good to keep certain information to the heart. As mentioned in my previous articles, in recent times, I have decided to speak less and let my actions and work speak for me. That’s why I decided to keep the best kept secret to my heart.
Some of you may be wondering why I chose to title the book Unleash Your Destiny. Well, the reason is not far-fetched. Since the publication of my first book Design Your Destiny in 2017, there have been clarion calls all over the world for me to follow up on how one can unleash one’s potential after designing one’s destiny. After two years of intensive research, I decided to put down practical guidelines from the lives of extraordinary people who have been able to unleash their potential by following their purpose.
One of the cardinal reasons why most people fail in life is because they don’t know themselves. When you know yourself, you’ll be able to unleash your God given potential. What most youths and adults fail to understand is that each of us carry seeds of greatness. The question now becomes how can you activate, elevate, and unleash it? To unleash your potential, this book will make you understand you have the remote control of your life through the activation of your call and vision.
Since my formative years, a question that always rages in my mind is the subject of destiny and why its force is highly significant to our lives. As a progressive mind, who is always deliberate in engaging himself in tasks that will deepen my understanding of life, I am glad to inform my dear readers that I have unlocked some principles that shape the destiny of men. These principles, as novel discoveries of my research, have been compiled into my second book with the title, “Unleash Your Destiny: 50 Nuggets for Living A Purposeful and Impactful Life.,” which I am delighted to share its Preface with you below:
The subject of destiny is one that many people find both interesting and intriguing. More importantly, it is a subject that resonates with the very core of our being, the raison d’être of our existence. This is why I have often devoted my messages – whether through my books, videos or other channels – to this all-important subject.
My first book, Design Your Destiny: Actualizing Your Birthright to Success, explores the fundamental principles by which anyone can shape an extraordinary and highly impactful destiny for themselves. This present book is a timely sequel, as it elevates the clarion call from designing to unleashing destiny in strategic, spectacular, and trailblazing ways.
I recall that after the publication of my first book, I had an insightful discussion with a revered and celebrated mentor of mine, whose deep intellectual dispositions and spiritual enlightenment always leave me in awe. That discussion proved to be a defining moment for me. He had begun by congratulating me on the success of my book. Thereafter, he proceeded to ask if I had plans to expatiate more on the subject of destiny.
Frankly, that question took me by surprise because I had thought the book was all-encompassing on the subject of destiny. My mentor, however, reminded me of the truism that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another. He then came out more plainly on what he thought I needed to amplify: “Everyone has their destiny designed,” he said, “it is the phrase ‘actualizing your birthright’ that I want you to further enlighten the world on. I hope you will be able to do that, because it is now your destiny to guide people on how to live their best life.”
After brooding on the challenge of my mentor for some days, I received further illumination on why a follow-up to my first publication was absolutely necessary. I drew inspiration from the word “birthright” that my mentor emphasized, and I interpreted it to mean that everyone is divinely created, ordained and endowed with the power and abilities to be of value to themselves and the entire human race. However, the pivotal determinant of the ability to add value and the extent of value that can be added is the nature of the choices and decisions we make every day. This was what informed the title of this book, Unleash Your Destiny: 50 Nuggets For Living A Purposeful and Impactful Life.
Since there is an inextricable link between destiny and choices, it goes without saying that we are where we are today because of the choices made yesterday – either by ourselves or someone else on our behalf; and we will be tomorrow where the choices we are making today will lead us. This is why it is vitally important to imbibe and personalize the principles highlighted in this book. Destiny is not about imitating or competing with anyone; it is about breaking your own limits, becoming a better version of yourself, and living your best life.
Here is a critical truth: No matter how fast you run in life, what has been divinely allotted to you will manifest at the appointed time that your Creator considers perfect to elevate you. However, making this elevation a reality is a product of how you live every day of your life. This is why some of the nuggets in this book are focused on certain inevitable truths about life, such as: Life is in stages, you are a work in progress, kick out that fear, run your race, trust the process, etc. These principles are meant to create a vivid description that will accelerate your energy and stimulate your interest to blossom in the wonderful life that God has designed for you.
On a personal note, the subject of destiny is one that comes with profound reminiscences and resonances, some of which are reflected in the contents of this book. Indeed, as I have come to realize, my decision to emigrate from Nigeria to the United States of America was only a foretaste of my decisive rendezvous with destiny. Between that time and now, I have increasingly gained clarity about my purpose, such that I am now living my destiny by adding values to myself and those who come across my way. Essentially, while my decision to emigrate might have been a way of designing my destiny, my choice to make every day of my life count for God and for humanity is a veritable way of living my destiny.
I urge you therefore to know that the ultimate benchmark for truly living your destiny is that how you choose to spend your days, weeks, months, and years must be in alignment with the calls your Creator wants you to answer, the problems He wants you to solve and the discovery He wants you to make. It is then that you can be proud of yourself and the lives you have touched.
Because I believe that making your life better than it is currently is your quest; because I know that your greatest pursuit in life is to be a source of inspiration to others (both far and near); because I see you as someone blessed with the power to raise other people’s hopes and give them reasons to live a meaningful life; because my spirit tells me that the candle to lighten the darkest corners of the world is being held by you, it is my great pleasure and honour to share these golden principles for living a life of endearing illumination and enduring legacies with you.
It’s your turn to transform the world!
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
Fresh facts have emerged over the abduction of school pupils and the killing of two teachers alongside an okada rider in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as investigators uncovered how suspected informants allegedly maintained communication with the abductors through telephone conversations.
The Oyo State Police Command disclosed that investigators tracked the suspects through calls believed to have been exchanged with the bandits during and after the operation.
According to the police, the conversations allegedly contained details on how the criminals could successfully navigate routes within the National Park to hidden locations used as safe havens.
The breakthrough led to the arrest of no fewer than six suspects, who are currently in police custody and assisting security agencies with ongoing investigations into the gruesome incident.
Confirming the development on Tuesday morning, the State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the suspects were apprehended during coordinated security operations across different locations in the State.
“We have six suspects in custody and they are assisting the investigation,” Ayanlade said.
He added that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly served as informants to the bandits responsible for the abduction and killings.
“Our findings showed that some of the suspects were in contact with the abductors through telephone conversations and investigators are analysing those communications as part of efforts to uncover the full network behind the crime,” he stated.
Ayanlade further disclosed that security agencies uncovered discussions allegedly centred on routes through the National Park and locations believed to have been used by the criminals as hideouts.
“The conversations contained information on how the abductors could move through the National Park undetected and reach safe locations,” he added.
The police spokesman explained that the suspects were arrested during joint operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Agro-Rangers.
“The arrests were made possible through intelligence-driven operations carried out by joint security operatives working collaboratively to dismantle the criminal network,” Ayanlade said.
He assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate linked to the attack.
“We are committed to ensuring that every individual connected to this criminal act is identified, arrested and brought to justice. Investigations are still ongoing,” he said.
The incident, which claimed the lives of two teachers and an Okada rider while school pupils were abducted last Friday, has continued to generate concern among residents of the affected communities and neighbouring areas in Oyo State.
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed that one of the teachers abducted during the recent terrorist attack on schools in Oriire LGA of the state, has been killed in captivity.
Speaking on Sunday during a press briefing on the incident, Makinde described the situation as “difficult and challenging”, saying the state government is intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims.
On Friday, gunmen riding motorcycles invaded communities within the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Oriire, Ogbomoso, and abducted students and staff members of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The attack left an assistant headmaster, identified as Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist dead.
According to Makinde, a video received by the state government confirmed the killing of one of the abductees identified as a mathematics teacher.
“What we know is that seven teachers in all were abducted and unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, the maths teacher, was killed by the terrorists this morning,” Makinde said.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of schoolchildren abducted.
In the aftermath of the incident, videos recorded from captivity began circulating on social media, showing abducted teachers pleading with the government and Nigerians for urgent intervention.
One of the viral videos featured Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, appealing to the government to help secure the release of the victims before they are killed.
Makinde detailed that six persons had been arrested within the affected locality over alleged links to the attackers, and that another three “persons of interest” were also arrested in connection with the attack.
“The information available from the Commissioner of Police is that six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them were believed to perhaps be informants to people running logistics for the terrorists,” he said.
Following the attack, the Oyo Police Command announced the commencement of an intensive manhunt and rescue operation involving multiple security agencies.
Makinde said personnel of the police, military, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, and local hunters were mobilised immediately to pursue the attackers.
The governor said, however, some Amotekun operatives sustained injuries after encountering improvised explosive devices planted by the terrorists during the operation.
“After the incident, Amotekun, the police, military and hunters were mobilised to go after the terrorists and it was along that line that they ran into IEDs and some of the Amotekun operatives were wounded,” he said.
Sources told TheCable that the terrorists had initially opened fire on the security operatives who were approaching the Old Oyo national park on motorcycles, causing them to flee.
“When the shooting subsided, the operatives decided to go for their motorbikes. Unfortunately, a dynamite exploded against one Amotekun corps member and he was wounded. He has been taken to the hospital for medical attention,” a source said.
“Apart from air raid, the Old Oyo National Park Area can’t be easily accessed through infantry. It’s a long distance from the Oowe River which forms a natural landmark boundary for the park. Motorcycles would have to be used for the journey, but the noise of the approaching motorcycles alerted the terrorists.”
Makinde linked the attack to increasing pressure being mounted on terrorist groups in the north-east, warning that fleeing armed groups are moving into other parts of the country, including the south-west.
“With the pressure on the terrorists in the north-east theatre, they will keep moving southwards. Today, the governor of Kwara state has spoken to me. But the problem we have is that when you have pressure in one place, we must be prepared on this side to either repel or neutralise any terrorists fleeing the pressure,” he said.
The governor harped on the need for sustained government and security presence in vulnerable communities, warning that temporary military operations without long-term security measures could leave residents exposed to future attacks.
“If all we can do is clearance operations for a week or two and leave that place, the terrorists will come back and the people will become vulnerable,” he said.
He assured residents that the state government would be deploying military and non-military strategies to secure the release of the abducted victims and tackle the growing security threat.
“We have decided that we will adopt not just the kinetic approach. We have not taken this lightly,” he added.
Makinde also appealed for calm and patience from residents, acknowledging the complexity of the operation.
“I want to appeal to everyone that we are doing everything within our power to ensure that this would be resolved quickly and we bring our children back safely, but it is a very difficult and challenging situation so there may not be quick fixes,” he added.
Source: TheCable
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Complaining is part of human nature. We complain about our health, school, family, friends, work, finances, government, and life in general. Human beings literally complain about everything and anything.
Over time, I have come to discover something about life: complaining doesn’t solve a problem; it adds to it. According to the Book of Life, why worry when you can pray? The moral of this statement is that instead of worrying, why not look for solutions? When you worry, it only accumulates the problems, but when you explore avenues to solve a problem, you’re literally praying.
Complaining is like having a problem and apportioning blame to another person instead of fixing it. One of the hallmarks of great minds is the ability to solve problems, while little minds complain.
In the world of visionary leaders, they don’t complain; rather, they see complaints as challenges of life, while lesser minds see complaints as problems of life. Again, while great leaders see problems as a gateway to make money and succeed by proffering solutions, little minds see problems as obstacles limiting their growth to succeed. Same action but different results and consequences.
As human beings, we tend to focus on what we don’t have instead of focusing on what we have. It’s only when we appreciate what we have that we give room for opportunities and favors to come to us. It’s unfortunate some of fucus on what we are going through instead of what we are becoming.
It’s instructive to note that complaints don’t lead us anywhere, rather it hinders our progress. Nobody likes complainers; complainers are usually seen as energy suckers because all they do is take without giving. Instead of complaining, why not practice gratitude? Gratitude helps to draw and attract opportunities.
In the world of human relations, the ability to manage people is an uncommon skill. One must learn to nurture relationships. Human beings can be difficult to manage. While some exhibit meekness, gratitude, cheerfulness, and loyalty, some exhibit bitterness, frustration, depression, sadness, and sorrow. What most people don’t know is that we have the ability to change how we manage our lives and how we react to what life throws at us through our attitude.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not insinuating that complaining is wrong; rather, I’m insinuating it’s not healthy for our mental health. The only time we can complain about something is when we are proffering a solution; by so doing, we have highlighted the problems and proffered the solution.
Complaints make us blind to see the good in others. As a word of advice, if you focus exclusively on the shortcomings of the people with whom you have to relate and forget that they have a good point, it will be difficult to see the good in them.
According to Yomi Garnett, focus on the good side of people and be intentional in learning about their mindset and inquire what made them who they are. Also, focusing on the good side of people despite their bad or weak side makes them feel valuable as human beings, and by so doing, we show our empathic personality.
In conclusion, resolve today to stop complaining and start appreciating the challenges of life with gratitude.
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
