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Food for Living: You Are the Captain of Your Life
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
I would like to begin today’s article with an experience I had with elementary school students. I was privileged to speak with the amazing students on what they would like to be in the future. I started by telling them about myself and how I became a lawyer, author, life coach and a public speaker before asking them to tell me what they would like to be in the future. It was interesting to hear the amazing interest and desires those kids have in mind.
I shared practical and insightful tips with respect to how they can achieve their desires. My messages to these young kids were centered on believing in themselves, and realizing that they are the captain of their lives.
Each of us were once like those amazing students. We all had dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer, engineer, actor, pastor, etc., but while some of us were able to reach, surpass our goals and even aspire to conquer more grounds, some of us unfortunately, could not achieve our heart desires and goals. One reason or another could be adduced for for the failure.
Did you know your life is like a ship sailing in the waters, and you have the power, authority and capacity to direct and take it to the destination of your choice? As you sail, you will definitely experience storms and challenges, but you must endeavour to take absolute charge. If you don’t, there is the tendency that things might end disastrously.
To prepare your ship, you need to have your crew onboard. Imagine your crew as your mind and thoughts which will direct your life. Being the captain of your life gives you the freedom to do what is necessary for you, because if you do not govern your life, it will be governed by others.
As the captain of your life, nobody knows you more than you know yourself. Each of us have a ship, but it’s quite unfortunate some of us don’t sail.
You will surely direct how your life will unfold when you sit on the driver’s seat, and take absolute control. Just like a dog cannot give birth to a pig and a lion cannot give birth to a goat, you will definitely get what you sow depending on the attention you give the ship of your life. Little wonder those in the know say garbage in, garbage out. Success, with every respect in the books, is never a guest of the weak. To succeed, strength of character is required just like a lot of processes and strategies. However, one must not lose focus of the two most important features of success; the “God factor” which I call “grace” and the “human factor” which I can call the determination.
You may be wondering why I mentioned the God factor and the human factor. You need the grace of God to succeed in life nor matter how intelligent and hardworking you are. When you have the God factor, even your weakness will be celebrated; you’ll find favour with men; you will work less and thrive where others worked so hard and fail. Also, you need to put in the work if you really want to succeed. Even if you have the God factor, remember God will not do the work for you, you will have to put in the time for the ‘God factor’ to bless the works of your hands. Isn’t it true that the God who saved you without your assistance cannot also save without your assistance?
The man, who is the captain of his life takes ownership just like the captain of a ship or the pilot of a plane. Nobody, I repeat, nobody, will hand over success to you. You will have to demand it.
Before you can be the captain of your life, you will have to know yourself, what works for you, and what doesn’t work for you. You will, for all intent and purpose, master your life. And when you do, every other thing will become secondary. As the captain of your life, every other thing in life answers to you.
Here is a practical concept of how you can be the captain of your life. You must be able to master how to use money, and it will be a slave to you. It is quite unfortunate to note that many people have allowed money to enslave them. They fail to understand that money answers the name you give to them. If you call money your slave or a servant, it will respect you. You are not meant to be a slave to money. Money is meant to serve you, and not the other way round. If you allow money to decide your choice of job or the person you will marry, you are a slave to money. When you cannot be bought, you have reduced money yo your slave. However, it’s okay to work for money for a period, but it should not be permanent.
Morale: Master money, don’t serve money.
According to scholars of jurisprudence, to captain your life, you need to have four pillars in shape: Relationships, Health, Work and Provider-ship and Spiritual Development. All of them ought to be given equal attention because no one is superior to the other.
Take time to examine your life and ask yourself; am I the captain of my life or am I just a crew member in other people’s ship?
By Eric Elezuo
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has announced the release of the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for Private Candidates, 2025–Second Series.
The examination, according to a statement signed by the Ag. Head, Public Affairs, Ms Moyo Adesina was written between Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, December 17, 2025 with a total of
SIXTY-NINE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND FOUR (69,604) candidates, in 370) centres across the country.
The statement noted that “Out of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, SIXTY-ONE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE (61,943) candidates, representing 94.21 % have their results fully processed and released while THREE THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINE (3,809) candidates, representing 5.79% have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable to them.”
It further added that “THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE (33,989) candidates representing 51.69% obtained credit and above in a minimum of FIVE (5) subjects (with or without English Language and/or Mathematics) while TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN (27,727) candidates representing 42.17% obtained credit and above in a minimum of FIVE (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Council said that a total of 1,899 Candidates’ results, representing 2.89 % of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice, and that the cases are being investigated.
The Council therefore, advised candidates to check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org to ascertain their status before visiting the Digital Certificate platform (www.waec.org) to access the digital copies of their certificates, which have been released along with the results.
The Federal government has filed a three-count charge against a former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over the alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Last week, El-Rufai claimed in an interview that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services (DSS), filed charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the charge sheet obtained by Channels Television on Monday, the government stated that El-Rufai admitted that he and his cohorts allegedly intercepted the NSA’s phone conversations.
The charges:
Count 1
That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count 2
That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant Security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count 3
That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131 (2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
News
INEC Consults, Seeks Legislative Intervention As Reactions Trail Release of 2027 Election Timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission has acknowledged public concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections, which coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting and prayers for Muslims, and said it may seek legislative intervention if necessary.
This was disclosed in a statement by the National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Friday.
The commission explained that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general election was developed in strict compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC’s own Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.
The statement highlighted that the Regulations and Guidelines, issued since 2019, prescribe the dates for elections:
Accordingly, INEC fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly Elections.
However, the commission acknowledged public concerns regarding the timing of the elections, which coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.
INEC said it is sensitive to such considerations and remains open to adjustments.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances.
“The commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.
“In view of these representations, the commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements,” the statement said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 general elections, promising to keep the public informed of any changes.
The commission had earlier scheduled party primaries between May 22 and June 20, 2026, for the nomination of candidates, alongside the general election dates.
Recall political figures like former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to reconsider the February 20, 2027 date announced for the next general elections.
They expressed concerns that the timing coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, which could affect participation by Muslim voters.
The Punch
