Metro
Food for Living: What Value Are You Offering?
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Friends,
In our contemporary society, you will agree with me that friendship/relationship, business/work opportunities, networking and life, in general, all have one common denominator that brings them together – value. The value you bring to the table is what brings people closer to you. The word value is a broad term. It can mean “the importance, worth, or usefulness of something”; “having a high opinion of a person’s principles or standards of behavior”; “one’s judgment of what is important in life”.
In this context, we shall be discussing value as it relates to opportunities in business and how it can be used to empower us. According to the book of life in Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. This gift can be translated into skills, education, talent or even money. Whenever you have value to offer, you are bound to have people who will seek you. So, the question you should continually ask yourself every day is, what’s your value and what value are you bringing to the table?
To properly understand this topic, let’s have general background knowledge about value. When you define your personal values, you discover what’s truly important to you. Value can relate to what people know you for; what problems are you solving. Your values are the things you believe are important in the way you live and work. They (should) determine your priorities, they can be used to determine if your life is turning out the way you want it to be.
When you know your own values, you can use them to make decisions about how to live your life. Value can be used to answer questions like these:
- What job should I pursue?
- What can kind of business should I begin?
- Should I compromise, or be firm with my position?
- Should I follow tradition, or travel down a new path?
If you take the time to understand the real priorities in your life, you’ll be able to determine the best direction for you and your life goals.
Let’s take a case study of someone looking for a job, apart from meeting the basic requirements for the job, most employers are keen to know the value you are bringing to the table. This value can be your connections, skills, or track record of accomplishments from your previous job. Sometimes, it is these value that gives you an edge above other competent applicants. Even in a relationship, any man or woman who knows what he or she wants in life, always looks for certain qualities in their desired partner. This is because nobody likes a liability. There’s an African saying “Whoever is being called every now and has something of value.
There are many dimensions to value when you look at the holistic picture. Sometimes in life, it is your value that gives you what you need. For instance you might be a good academic student, lawyer, doctor or accountant, and an opportunity comes up in a different field, you may be surprised to know that it is not necessarily your grade in school or who you know that may open the door for you, it is your value which can be your writing skills if you have published in several journals or even being an author; it can be your entertainment skills if you are a comedian or dancer. it can also be your followers or leadership skills. Let me share a personal experience with you, despite being an international lawyer in the USA, my book Design Your Destiny- Actualizing Your Birthright to Success, has opened so many doors for me. The value I must confess is priceless! The book has announced me in so many places. Of particular interest, I will like to share was how my book gave me an opportunity to be interviewed by the Founder of Echoes of Africa, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezinwa, the interview was later aired as a documentary in one of the biggest television stations in Nigeria, (African Independent Television). Not even my academic qualifications, networks and even my professional training as a lawyer gave me that opportunity, but my book did. That’s value!
One of the best ways to be successful and rich in life is by solving the right problems. You can look around your environment and ask yourself what are the needs of my environment? When you find the answers to those challenges and solve them, you will create wealth for yourself if you nurture the process very well. Moral: Find solutions to global problems and money will follow you. Let’s look at examples of great people who found solutions to global problems: Bill Gates is the Founder of Microsoft Corporation, he invented Microsoft software which is used by the world today; Larry Page and Sergey Brin two computer scientist assisted in making internet search for products faster; Mark Zuckerberg Co-Founder of Facebook-connected people around the world and he was able to use his platform to advertise for business. Steve Jobs the co-founder of Apple Inc. invented Apple which changed communication in the world; all these great minds created solutions for the world. The question now is what problems are you solving for the world?
Maybe you like fashion, you can be a fashionista by helping people by teaching them how to dress with your ingenious dress sense, and you can also teach them how to be classy and stylish. I recently saw a new brand of fashion online lilys_galaxy on Instagram, couples of months later, you can’t imagine how the page has grown and generated so much income which is now competing with daily job of the founder. This is just one example of how value can add income to your life.
The question now is how do you find your value and what value can you offer to the world? Value be likened to passion. To find the right value, look at your career and personal life.
- The times when you were most fulfilled and satisfied.
- Write randomly about you like to do.
- You can determine your top values, based on your experiences of happiness, pride, and fulfillment and thereafter prioritize them. This step is probably the most difficult because you’ll have to look deep inside yourself. It’s also the most important step, because, when making a decision, you’ll have to choose between solutions that may satisfy different values. This is when you must know which value is more important to you.
- Look at the first two values and ask yourself, “If I could satisfy only one of these, which would I choose?” It might help to visualize a situation in which you would have to make that choice. For example, if you compare the values of service and stability, imagine that you must decide whether to sell your house and move to another country to do valuable foreign aid work or keep your house and volunteer to do charity work closer to home.
In conclusion, what is the value you have to set out to offer to people, humanity and the world in general? For me, I derive joy in helping people by counseling, inspiring, teaching, imparting knowledge and information and enlightening people. I also derive joy in writing and serving people. Depending on what you settle for, always have at the back of your mind, the value must be appreciated.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with 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.
Adron Homes set the stage for a remarkable sporting experience by hosting the Adron Cup Golf Tournament, bringing together golf enthusiasts, industry professionals, and distinguished guests for a day dedicated to excellence, competition, and camaraderie.
The tournament was officially declared open by the Chairman of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, who earlier this year received the first-ever Nigeria’s Noble Golfer Award, reflecting his growing influence and passion for the game of golf. In a moment that drew applause across the course, he performed the ceremonial tee-off, symbolically setting the tournament in motion.
Following the opening, the Chairman embarked on a tour of the golf course, delighting participants and spectators alike. He played several holes, showing his enthusiasm for the game, while also taking time to engage, encourage, and cheer on the competing golfers.
Players described the experience as inspiring, noting that the Chairman’s presence elevated the spirit of the competition and reinforced the values of sportsmanship and unity that the tournament represents.
As the tournament concluded, Mr. Sunday Aderibigbe, representing the Chairman of Adron Homes, officiated the presentation of awards and the official unveiling ceremony. His presence added prestige to the event and affirmed the company’s continued commitment to celebrating excellence within the golfing community.
The inaugural Adron Cup Golf Tournament marks the beginning of what promises to be a premier sporting event in the region, reflecting Adron Group’s commitment not only to excellence in real estate but also to promoting recreation, community engagement, and healthy living through sport.
The event concluded with commendations for the organizers and enthusiastic feedback from participants, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former bank staff member, Obinna Nwaobi, before the Federal High Court in Enugu over the alleged criminal diversion of a customer’s $510,000.
Nwaobi was brought before Justice C.O. Ajah on a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, fraudulent conversion, and stealing.
The EFCC said he abused his position as a banking officer to illicitly divert funds entrusted to him by a customer.
According to the charge, Nwaobi allegedly received the sum of $510,000 from a customer under the guise of helping to manage and invest the funds but dishonestly converted the money to his personal use.
The offences, the Commission noted, violate Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 and Sections 342 and 343 of the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State.
The Commission stated that the alleged fraud was uncovered after the new generation bank where Nwaobi previously worked detected suspicious transfers linked to him.
An internal review reportedly confirmed the irregularities, prompting the bank to escalate the matter to the EFCC, which then opened a full-scale investigation leading to his arraignment.
A senior compliance officer of the bank explained that strengthened surveillance systems and routine monitoring helped detect the suspicious transactions early.
The bank, he said, remains committed to sanitising the financial sector by reinforcing its anti-fraud unit and investing in advanced tools that track unusual account activities in real time.
The bank reaffirmed its collaboration with law-enforcement agencies to ensure that any staff member involved in fraudulent activity is promptly identified and prosecuted as part of wider efforts to protect customer funds and bolster public confidence in the banking system.
Nwaobi pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant.
Justice Ajah ordered that he be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility pending the determination of his bail application and adjourned the matter for further hearing.
By Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
“Leadership envisions the future, Power builds it, but only Control ensures it endures. In their deliberate synergy lies the architecture of all human progress,” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
Introduction: The Tripartite Foundation of Progress
At the heart of every significant human achievement—from the ascent of a thriving corporation to the resilience of a prosperous nation and the self-actualization of an individual—lies the potent interplay of three fundamental forces: Leadership, Power, and Control.
These concepts are often conflated or misunderstood. Yet, their distinct roles and synergistic relationship form the very bedrock upon which possibilities are envisioned and delivered. Leadership provides the vision and the compass; power furnishes the engine and the tools; and control ensures the steering and the governance. Together, they create an “architectonics of influence,” a deliberate framework for building a better future across all sectors of human endeavor.
Deconstructing the Core Concepts
- Leadership: The Compass of Purpose
Leadership is not merely a position; it is a process of social influence that maximizes the efforts of others toward achieving a goal. It is the domain of vision, inspiration, and emotional intelligence.
- For Peoples: Leadership manifests as mentorship, parenting, and community organizing. It empowers individuals to transcend their limitations, fostering personal growth, resilience, and a sense of agency.
- For Corporates: Leadership sets the strategic direction, cultivates culture, and inspires innovation. It is the force that aligns diverse talents toward a common mission, navigating market volatility and competitive pressures.
- For Nations: Leadership, at its best, articulates a national destiny, unites citizens around shared values, and steers the country through crises and opportunities on the global stage.
- Power: The Currency of Action
Power is the capacity to influence the behavior of others or the course of events. It is raw potential energy that, in itself, is neutral—its morality defined by its application. French and Raven’s classic bases of power provide a useful lens:
- Coercive & Reward Power: (Sticks and Carrots) Effective in the short term but often unsustainable, as they rely on external compliance rather than internal commitment.
- Legitimate Power: Derived from a formal position or title (e.g., CEO, Prime Minister).
- Expert Power: Granted based on knowledge, skills, and competence.
- Referent Power: The most potent form, earned through charisma, respect, and admirable qualities.
- Control: The Rudder of Stewardship
Control represents the systems, processes, and ethical frameworks that guide the application of power. It is the essential counterbalance that prevents power from becoming corrupt, arbitrary, or inefficient. Control is not about restriction, but about direction and stewardship.
- Mechanisms of Control: These include transparency, accountability, checks and balances, legal and regulatory frameworks, ethical codes of conduct, and performance metrics.
The Synergistic Equation: Leadership + Power + Control = Delivered Possibilities
The true impact occurs when these three elements are harmonized. Leadership without power is impotent; power without leadership is directionless; and both without control are dangerous.
The Formula for Impact: A visionary leader (Leadership) must wield appropriate forms of power (e.g., Expert and Referent) to mobilize resources and people. This application of power must then be channeled through robust control mechanisms to ensure it is effective, ethical, and aligned with the overarching goal. This synergy unlocks possibilities.
The Perils of Imbalance:
- Leadership without Power: The inspiring visionary with no authority or resources becomes a frustrated prophet, their ideas never materializing.
- Power without Leadership: The powerful but visionless authority figure (a tyrannical manager, a despotic ruler) creates chaos, stifles innovation, and leads to oppression or organizational decay.
- Power without Control: This is the definition of tyranny and corruption. It leads to the abuse of resources, the suppression of dissent, and ultimately, systemic failure (e.g., corporate scandals, state collapse).
Delivery Across Sectors: Peoples, Corporates, and Nations
- For Peoples: The Realm of Personal and Community Agency
- Leadership: Self-leadership—taking responsibility for one’s own growth and actions. Community leaders articulate a shared vision for neighborhood improvement.
- Power: The power of knowledge (Expert), the power of a strong network (Referent), and the collective power of organized action.
- Control: Personal discipline, ethical codes, and community-agreed rules of engagement.
- Delivered Possibilities: Empowered individuals achieve self-actualization. Cohesive communities solve local problems, foster social capital, and create environments where people can thrive.
- For Corporates: The Engine of Innovation and Value Creation
- Leadership: The CEO and C-suite set a compelling vision and culture. Middle managers translate strategy into action and empower their teams.
- Power: Legitimate power of hierarchy, expert power of specialized teams, and the referent power of a strong brand and respected leadership.
- Control: Corporate governance, board oversight, compliance departments, performance management systems, and a strong ethical culture.
- Delivered Possibilities: Sustainable profitability, market innovation, employee engagement and well-being, and long-term value for all stakeholders.
- For Nations: The Framework for Collective Prosperity and Stability
- Leadership: Elected officials, civil servants, and a judiciary that provide direction, uphold the law, and steward national resources.
- Power: The sovereign power of the state, derived from the consent of the governed (Legitimate), and exercised through institutions (military, judiciary, executive).
- Control: The Constitution, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, a free press, transparent elections, and anti-corruption watchdogs.
- Delivered Possibilities: Economic development, social justice, national security, public health, and the preservation of fundamental rights and freedoms—the foundation for a flourishing society.
The Indispensable Role of Control: From Stewardship to Possibilities
Control is the often-overlooked hero in this narrative. It is the difference between a dictator and a statesman, between a reckless conglomerate and a sustainable enterprise.
- Control Fosters Trust: Transparent and accountable systems build trust among citizens, employees, and investors, which is the currency of long-term collaboration.
- Control Enables Scalability: Without control mechanisms, organizations and nations cannot grow beyond a certain size without descending into inefficiency or chaos.
- Control Mitigates Risk: It provides the early warning systems and corrective actions that prevent catastrophic failures.
- Control Ensures Legitimacy: Power is seen as legitimate and worthy of support when it is exercised within a known and fair framework.
Conclusion: The Call for Conscious Stewardship
In a world of increasing complexity and interconnectedness, the deliberate and ethical management of leadership, power, and control is not a theoretical exercise—it is a practical imperative.
The ultimate delivery of possibilities—be it a child reaching their potential, a corporation pioneering a world-changing technology, or a nation achieving lasting peace and prosperity—rests on our collective ability to:
- Cultivate Leaders who are not only visionary but also humble, ethical, and empowered by referent and expert power.
- Wield Power consciously, recognizing its sources and its profound responsibility.
- Design and Uphold Control systems that are robust yet adaptable, ensuring that power is always a force for creation, not destruction.
The future does not simply happen; it is built. It is architected by those who understand that true, lasting power is the capacity to unlock human potential, and that the highest form of leadership is the stewardship of possibilities for all.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History and International Studies, Fellow Certified Management Consultant & Specialist, Fellow Certified Human Resource Management Professional, a Recipient of the Nigerian RoleModels Award (2024), and a Distinguished Ambassador For World Peace (AMBP-UN). He has also gained inclusion in the prestigious compendium, “Nigeria @65: Leaders of Distinction”.
