News
Food for Living: Who’s Your Source?
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
What would be your answer if the question, ‘who is your source’ is thrown at you? Tough, right?
Let’s begin from the beginning. Source may mean different things to different people. For a spiritually minded person, source may mean divinity while for those in the academia, it is where they get their research information from. Again, in courtroom settings, opposing counsels are noted to verify evidence to ascertain their origin. Even judges sometimes insists on for the authenticity of documents before admitting them as evidence. Even a child looks upon his/her parents as their source. Source therefore, can refer to the origin, or emanating point of a particular thing, action or activity. It can be that quality, trait or character that sets one apart and draws other things his way.
Somebody’s source can be his money, charming smiles, lovely voice, or even their access. The source varies depending on the aisle one belongs.
It must be said however, that the fastest way to destroy someone is to silence their source. For instance, the earning power of a man is seen as his bargaining power. So, if someone wants to frustrate him, they can tackle his business or job. Just like if someone wants to frustrate a child, the target will be the child’s parents because they know if the parents are down, it might affect the child.
As humans, sometimes we depend on our parents, mentors, friends, boss, husband, wife, children, siblings, leaders, benefactors, lecturers or men of God for support. Don’t get me wrong, all these are great support, but they are not the main support we need as human beings to go to the next level of life. They are all relative support one needs to thrive.
Source is like a trade secret. Nobody tells anyone what their secret is. Those, who have distinguished themselves in their particular fields might refer to God as their strength, but would surely remain silent as to the extra work they put in to get to where they are.
Let me give you a practical example; as a published author I can authoritatively tell you that God has been extremely kind to me. My books have opened doors for me, they has connected me to lots of resourceful people in addition to providing opportunities for which has brought value to my business. An ordinary man on the street will think I have been favored specially; some might even say I’m lucky or I’m a blessed man. But the truth is that I did my part. So, despite all my attributed and perceived success, I will tell you God did it for me. Again, remember, if I had not taken the time to write the manuscripts and have them published, networked with the right people, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunities I have received in recent times.
The moral is that everyone has a source, but not everyone is bold enough to tell you their source, but I can boldly tell you my source is God.
There was an interesting story I recently watched on social media where Pastor Mildred Okonkwo shared a true-life story about her marital life. According to her, despite Pastor Kingsley always being on television preaching and receiving ovations, she and her husband (Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo) were living in poverty to the extent that sometimes, they don’t have food to eat.
Sometimes, they had to manage to squeeze the tube together to get paste to brush their teeth and when that wasn’t enough, she had to use her kitchen skills to cut the container to scoop paste. She further stated that the situation degenerated to the extent they had to join crumbs of soaps together before they could get a decent bath. That was how bad it was.
This is where it gets interesting; she stated that she came from a family of those, who marry broke men. The situation was literally depressing. It made her take a deep breath to ascertain if that was going be her new reality. Her pensive mood was activated, and she asked herself for how long she would continue to live like this. Many thoughts were running through her mind. During one of her meditative moments, she got a revelation, she would be putting too much pressure on her husband, and it wouldn’t save the situation because her husband is not her source. God is her source.
When she came to that realization, she began to seek the face of God for blessings upon their family. It was at that moment she realized, as human beings we carry the blessings. This is the reality of most women. Most times in marriage, people put the burden and enrichment of their life on their husband instead of looking up to God, and within themselves. Who told you, you can’t make money as a person? The man you are looking up to doesn’t have two heads, four legs nor does he have four eyes, four hands, or fours ears.
It’s sad to note that sometimes most women think a man will take care of them; this mindset limits their creative abilities and possibilities because they think their is limited or may never come if a man doesn’t marry them.
It’s instructive to note that men and money don’t make people rich, rather it is the blessings of men and money that make us rich. Just like your salary doesn’t make you rich, rather the blessing on your salary makes you rich. One maybe wondering how this works; when one receives blessings from their parents, mentors, benefactors, boss, or even strangers who are beneficiary of their good deeds, that blessings have a way of positively affecting their lives in such a way that whatever the person lays his hands on will be fruitful. This is a typical example of how source works because the original blessing has manifested.
In conclusion, I will ask you, what’s your source? Take time to ask yourself, what am I you working on? Who can assist me to get to the next level? What is the requirement(s)? When these are figured out, take time to nourish and preserve them because one’s source is his power.
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
News
After Calling CAN ‘Conflict Entrepreneurs’, Police Make U-turn, Confirm Mass Abduction of Kaduna Churchgoers
Bare 24 hours after denying reports of the abduction of worshippers from three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the police have reversed their position, admitting that the attack “did occur” and many people were kidnapped.
The police admitted the incident in a Tuesday night statement issued by their spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin. This followed a public condemnation of the police’s initial stance.
Recall that terrorists, loosely referred to as “bandits,” invaded the area on Sunday, 18 January, kidnapping over 160 worshippers.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) told this newspaper that 172 people were initially abducted but nine escaped and the remaining were marched into a nearby forest.
The statement signed by its spokesperson, Reuben Buhari, listed the affected churches to include the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim 1 and Haske Cherubim and Seraphim 2.
Both the Kaduna State government and the police disagreed with CAN, challenging it to present evidence that there was an abduction.
Addressing reporters on Monday after a security meeting with state authorities, the police commissioner in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, described the incident as a “falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos in Kaduna State.”
Also the chairperson of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, denied the attack, citing local authorities in the area.
But in the Tuesday night statement, the police said their new position on the incident followed subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources.
The Police said efforts were underway to “safely” rescue the victims and restore normalcy to the area.
The Police said the incident generated widespread fear and anxiety, leading the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to convene a meeting of the State Security Council at the Government House in Kaduna.
During the meeting, some individuals from the affected local government reportedly disputed earlier reports of the abduction, describing them as false, a development the police said created uncertainty and necessitated further verification.
According to the statement, the abduction had earlier been confirmed by the police, but the conflicting accounts led security agencies to exercise caution before making “conclusive” public statements.
The police explained that comments made by the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna were aimed at preventing “unnecessary panic” while investigations were ongoing.
The remarks, the police added, were not a denial but a response pending confirmation of details, such as the identities and number of those affected.
According to the statement, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of additional operational and intelligence assets to the area.
The Police said the response includes the deployment of tactical units, intensified patrols, and targeted search-and-rescue operations.
The Police appealed to the public and the media to rely on official communications for verified information, warning that sensational reporting could “jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.”
Premium Times
The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false and misleading an online report alleging threats of mutiny by soldiers over salaries and allowances, describing the claim as sensational and detrimental to national security.
The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said there has been no threat of mutiny within the Nigerian Army.
Anele said that such conduct is alien to its ethos, discipline and professionalism.
She said mutiny is a grave offence under military law and incompatible with the loyalty of Nigerian Army personnel to the Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Anele explained that the report relied on anonymous and unverifiable claims circulated through non-official channels, which did not reflect the views or disposition of officers and soldiers who were trained to address grievances through established military procedures.
Anele clarified that promotion increments is only one component of military pay and should not be misrepresented as total earnings.
According to her, military remuneration includes consolidated salaries, rank-based allowances, operational, field and hardship allowances, as well as other entitlements that vary based on deployment, qualifications and responsibilities.
She said the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant government authorities, is implementing structured welfare reforms, including periodic reviews of salaries and allowances, enhanced operational incentives, improved accommodation, medical care and insurance packages for troops and their families.
The army spokesperson added that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, had, since assuming office, initiated constructive engagements with relevant authorities on troop welfare, with positive outcomes already emerging.
Anele reaffirmed that the Federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to the welfare and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces amid evolving security challenges.
She urged the public to disregard unfounded reports and rely on official communication channels for accurate information on the Nigerian Army.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
To survive, everyone must work irrespective of creed or cadre. Work defines an individual, and sets them apart.
Working as a human being is however, relative. A student’s main work is to read and pass examination. A parent’s main work is to train their children. An employee’s main work is do the job they have been paid to do. A pastor’s job is to preach the gospel of Christ in addition to leading people to God. An athlete’s main work is to train and compete at global events in addition to winning laurels. The list is endless.
It’s the job every living being does that attracts opportunities to them, and so, staying docile and expecting opportunities to come your way is another way of encouraging poverty, lack and want in your life. In fact, docile people derive a certain level of joy from begging. Some even love freebies, free lunch and introduction for job opportunities just because they think they have the connection to make it work without them necessarily doing the corresponding work or have the requisite skill.
I personally believe it’s only lazy minds, who think that way. Life doesn’t work that way. I have since discovered that the more work one does the more doors and opportunities that come his way.
Speaking from experience, I have observed that some of the opportunities and favours I am currently receiving and enjoying are consequences of the foundation I laid many years ago. One might be wondering how that works. Let me explain a little, the day you sow a seed is not the day you will reap the fruits. Let me be more direct, as an author, it wasn’t an easy feat writing, researching, editing, doing the layout, publishing and printing the manuscript. It was lots of work, and I didn’t know my book would connect me to resourceful persons today.
In addition, the book generated royalties that humbled me to say the least. The moral of this analysis lies in the fact that when I was spending hours doing the work, I didn’t know it would attract the kind of global attention and news interviews that came to me. Now, you see why it’s good to work. Even the Bible states in Luke 10:7, that every laborer deserves fair compensation.
Did you know that if anyone wants to bless you, they will bless you with the work you do. That’s why the book of life states; God will bless the works of your hands. Nobody likes to give out free money. They like their money to work for them. It’s sad and very unfortunate to see people who pray for opportunities, favours, and blessings without doing any work. These lesser minds think money and opportunities will fall from heaven; they fail to realize that it is their work that heaven is waiting to use to bless them.
Did you know that there are things which God has enabled us to do for ourselves, and there are things we need to depend on Him to assist us. Let me explain further; if all your prayer requests are things men can provide, why are you really praying? Isn’t prayer meant for things you can’t do yourself? You pray to pass an exam that your friend read to pass. You pray to get a job that your friend got on merit. You appeal to God for a car that your friend worked for. It looks as if you are abusing prayer, and you want God to give you the things He has equipped you to provide for yourself. It is high time we understood that prayer is not the solution to laziness.
My late dad, Chief Lazarus Ukazu, advised my siblings and I to always work. As a matter of fact, each time he feels we are oversleeping, he’ll wake us up and say we have many years to sleep in the grave when we die, but as we are alive, we must work.
This instructive advice has been one of the best inspirational lessons I have received in my life. That advice made me feel like setting another goal each time I accomplish a major feat.
The importance of working cannot be overemphasized. The difference between high achievers and docile people is the work they do. While high achievers are very intentional with their life, docile people live by chance. While high achievers are determined to break records, and set new records, docile people are always comfortable living in their comfort zone.
In our contemporary society, we literally have no reason to fail because there’s the availability technology and social media to boost the work we do. It’s easy for one to know what we represent by just surfing the internet. So, imagine when frivolities are seen on your page, it will greatly affect you. Then contrast it with when good information is seen of you on the internet. Like I always say, why be local when we can be global?
Did you know that working is like taking a risk, the more work and risk someone engages in, the more opportunities and experience come their way.
In summary, if you are asked, what’s your work or what project are you working on, what will be your response?
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
