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Food for Living: You Can’t Rush Success
Every living being needs success in life, but the question is what does success mean to you? To some, it means financial security, to another it means fame, to others it means mean having great children, family, good health, or even aligning with your creator spiritually. I personally think the greatest form of success is being able to understand oneself because it helps to measure growth and maturity. You can lie to others, but you can never lie to yourself. Success is truly relative. One mistake people make about success is putting a limit or end goal to success.
True success has to be built and nurtured like a plant in order for you to reap its fruits. Just like a student has to take entrance examination or apply to a school, then read, do assignment and engage in order to graduate in record time. In the same way, an employee or entrepreneur has to learn the skills and theoretical and practical information in his trade before he or she will succeed. Even in marriage, nothing works unless both parties are deliberate and intentional in putting in the work by discovering who there are, their personalities, communicating to each other, and working towards to the success of their marriage before their marriage can work.
In a way, for you to attain genuine success, you must put in the desired work. There’s nothing like overnight success because process is required in life. A new baby can’t begin to crawl, walk and talk in day. Even in the spiritual realm, a new convert has to learn the ropes of being a born again Christian. There’s a reason process is required in life. It helps to bring in maturity and understanding. When you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. In our society, many people tend to relegate the process of learning. They fail to understand you have to learn before they earn.
It’s quite unfortunate to know that many people think they can rush success. True success will come to you when you are ready. Sometimes, we have to prepare before we receive rewards and awards for our work. When you have a vision, you need to be strategic in your approach. You also need patience.
Sometimes, when you have challenges, it’s just for you to learn some lessons which will help to elevate you to the next level. The problem can even be a disappointment. This challenge may help you to build and strengthen your character. It can even serve as litmus test to who you are. This is because circumstances don’t say who you are, they reveal who you are.
As human beings, one major flaw we have is that we fail to learn, relearn and unlearn in contemporary ways to develop ourselves in order to fit into what is expected of us in the real world.
When you rush through success, you’ll have problems in making decisions as supposed to the informed decision you would have made if you have given it deep thought in addition to reaching out to cerebral minds for their kind thoughts and opinions.
There are certain things you can’t rush in life, you need to grow in them, example, love, friendship/relationship, forgiveness, faith and trust.
Love
True love takes time, in fact you grow in love. One mistake people make in life is that they think love is enough to make life and marriage work; they fail to understand a lot of work is required. For instance, for a car to work, the engine must be in good condition, you must have a whipper if it rains, you need mirrors and gas/fuel amongst other requirements. That’s how marriage works. You need patience, understanding, money, communication, support etc.
Friendship/Relationship
A great relationship takes time to grow. Just like Rome wasn’t build in a day, a great relationship must be cultivated like a fruit. When you rush into it without growing through the process, you may lose some insights you would have seen if you took time to study your partner.
Forgiveness
True forgiveness takes time. As Christians, the bible book of life encourages us to forgive, but as human beings, sometimes, we find it hard to forget even if we manage to forgive. For true forgiveness to take place, we must heal from the wound.
Faith
Faith is another part of our being that takes time to grow. Life works with principles. The law of gravity states That whatever goes up must come down. Just like you can believe that your car will start when you switch on the ignition button, in the same way, your mindset ought to be fired up when you have done the needful in your academic, professional and spiritual life. That’s simply how faith works.
Trust
One of the greatest asset of friendship and relationship is trust. Trust is normally use to test loyalty. To earn trust, you must test it and build it. True test is earned and not bought. Our greatest prayer should be, may our loyalty never be tested. Trust doesn’t just occur, it takes time.
In conclusion, it is pertinent to note that that just like you can’t rush God and destiny, you cannot rush success. No matter how far you may try to get any position, even if you are connected to the resourceful mind in the organization, if the position is not for you and if the company is not in need of your skills at that particular time, you won’t get it. I will leave you with this word, don’t rush the process, good things take time.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a mindset coach and self-discovery expert. 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
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has issued a safety and security alert, urging Nigerians to prioritize safety while using the country’s inland waterways during the festive season. In a statement released by NIWA management, the Authority highlighted the importance of adhering to the Transportation Code, 2023, which has been gazetted and will be strictly enforced to ensure safe water transportation.
NIWA emphasized the need for boat operators and passengers to strictly follow safety measures to prevent avoidable accidents. Among the guidelines outlined, boat operators have been directed to avoid overloading their boats beyond approved limits and are required to provide lifejackets to passengers free of charge. Furthermore, the Authority banned the consumption of alcohol and other prohibited substances before or during boat rides.
The statement also made it mandatory for passenger manifests to be properly filled and confirmed before departure, while a compulsory safety talk must be conducted before setting sail. NIWA stressed that boat operations must not extend beyond 6:00 PM, and passengers are strongly advised against traveling on waterways at night.
In addition, NIWA warned against any activities that could destabilize boats while in motion and mandated all passengers to wear lifejackets while onboard. Assaulting or attacking NIWA officers or Water Marshals while they are performing their duties was also declared a punishable offense.
To ensure swift emergency responses, NIWA has placed its operational bases on high alert and has made emergency response lines 07039748740 and 08059543364 available to the public.
The Authority urged Nigerians to strictly comply with these safety regulations to prevent avoidable tragedies during the festive season. NIWA reiterated its commitment to maintaining safe and secure inland waterways for all users.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed immediate investigation in the case of one Segun Olowookere, who was sentenced to death by hanging for stealing chicken.
Governor Adeleke gave this directive through a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Tuesday.
The governor directed the state’s Attorney General to intervene in the matter and ensure the young man is listed for prerogative of mercy before the end of the year.
According to the statement, “I have read about the case. I recognize separation of powers in our democracy.
“In this particular case, I have directed the Commissioner for Justice to initiate processes to grant the prerogative of mercy to the young man.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity. We must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives.
“I assure the public that the matter is receiving my direct attention. A sense of urgency is also attached to our response to the matter as a responsible state government.”
The directive is coming after an appeal for clemency to the governor on behalf of Segun Olowookere by the World Institute of Peace.
In the appeal, the institute’s Executive Director, Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi, revealed that Olowookere was sentenced to death 10 years ago when he was 17 years of age.
Omotoyosi said, “Segun’s conviction stems from an incident involving the allegation of theft of a fowl and eggs from a poultry farm in Oyan, Osun State over ten years ago.
“The gravity of a death sentence for such an offence raises significant ethical questions, particularly when considering the young age at which Segun was convicted and the minimal value of the items involved.
“However, no justification for any crime but Segun actually pleaded not guilty to this crime.
“His parents, Folashade and Olanrewaju Olowookere, have been vocal in their pleas for clemency, expressing their devastation over the loss of their only son to the confines of prison for over a decade.
“As you are aware, the principles of justice and mercy are foundational to a progressive society.
“The parents have made heartfelt appeals, emphasising that Segun is a brilliant young man with a promising future.
“They have endured immense suffering, selling their properties in an attempt to secure his release, and they continue to hope for a second chance for their son.
“The weight of the punishment far exceeds the nature of the crime, and it is clear that Segun’s case merits a compassionate review. Please, Mr. Governor.”
The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex has been hailed as an astonishing masterpiece, showcasing Nigeria’s technological advancements on the global stage.
This accolade was shared by a delegation from the Japanese Business Community in Nigeria, led by Japan’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo. The Dangote Group also reiterated that its petroleum products are in demand worldwide, as it expands its polypropylene section to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported polypropylene, a crucial material used in packaging, textiles, and the automotive manufacturing industries.
The Japanese delegation, which toured the impressive facilities housing both the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as well as Dangote Fertilisers, commended the state-of-the-art technology on display, noting that it reinforces Nigeria’s role as the gateway to Africa.
Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Takashi Oku, remarked that while Nigeria remains the gateway to Africa, the Dangote Refinery stands as a remarkable project that showcases the country’s technological progress. He added that the facility, as the world’s largest single-train refinery, is a point of immense pride for Nigeria. JETRO is Japan’s governmental organisation for trade and investment.
“We had heard about the excellence of the Dangote Refinery through the media but seeing it in person has left us truly amazed by its vastness and grandeur. It demonstrates that Nigeria’s population is not only growing but also advancing in technology. We are keen to collaborate with Nigerian companies, especially Dangote Refinery,” he said.
Emphasising that the refinery has bolstered Nigeria’s leading position in Africa, he further noted that the facility serves as an ideal introduction to the country for the global community.
Managing Director of Itochu Nigeria Limited, Masahiro Tsuno, also praised the sheer size and automation of the Dangote Refinery, calling it a miracle and one of the wonders of the world.
“I’ve seen many standalone refineries across the globe, including in Vietnam and the Middle East. However, this size of a refinery built by one single investor is probably a miracle in the world. And I’m just actually witnessing a miracle, to be honest, today,” he said. Tsuno indicated that his company would seek collaboration with the refinery across various sectors, including polypropylene and other petroleum products.
Commending the ambassador-designate and his team, which described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a wonder of modern technology, Vice President of Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, explained that the facility is the vision of a Nigerian investor- Aliko Dangote, designed and built by Nigerians, and intended to serve the global market.
He said that it is a point of pride that a Nigerian company not only designed but also built the world’s largest single-train refinery complex. Dangote Industries Limited, a Nigerian company, acted as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the refinery. In the process, cutting-edge technologies from around the world were incorporated to ensure that the facility meets the highest standards. Edwin assured the ambassador-designate and the delegation that the company is open to collaboration, always striving to maintain the best possible standards.
“Even now, we have a lot of Japanese equipment inside both the refinery and the fertiliser plant. There are significant opportunities for collaboration, as we always seek the latest technology in any business we engage in. For instance, our cement plant laboratory is managed by robots, and we always embrace advanced technology. With Japan’s focus on technological innovation, there is ample scope for cooperation and for supplying various types of technology,” he said.
Edwin also stated that the Dangote Petrochemical project will significantly boost investment in downstream industries, creating substantial value, generating employment, increasing tax revenues, reducing foreign exchange outflows, and contributing to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He confirmed that products from the refinery meet international standards and are already being exported globally.
“In recent weeks, we’ve exported petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa among others. Diesel has gone all over the world, and jet fuel is being heavily exported to European markets. Our products are already making their mark internationally,” he said.
He further added that by leveraging Africa’s vast crude oil resources to produce refined products locally, the Dangote Group aims to create a virtuous cycle of industrial development, job creation, and economic prosperity.
