Metro
Food for Living: Your Imagination Triggers Your Success
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Friends,
I belong to the school of thought, which opine that originality is the beauty of life. Originality is fundamental to innovation, and the key to building sustainable businesses and brands in our contemporary world. You cannot underestimate the power of imagination and innovation. The world is moved by visionaries who have to create change with their innovations. Beauty itself is relative because it springs up from the taste and choice each individual has. Our imagination also works in same manner. We all have imaginations, but sometimes we under utilize it.
The starting point of all success is imagination. The idea is first conceived in the mind before the implementation begins. Every goal you will ever reach starts off as imagination. This is because it is really hard for one to achieve what he never desired. You just have to believe in it, work on it, chase it and it will become your reality. According To Lao Tzu, “watch your thoughts they become your words, watch your words they become your actions, watch your actions they become your habits and watch your habit they become your destiny”. This is because true success –whether it is financial, social, marital, or in finding your source of happiness and meaning, was created in the mind first.
During the declaration of America’s independence, the following words was used “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Each time I read these words it really resonates within me because it makes me to think out of the box. We live in a world where most people feel they are entitled to XYZ. In reality, the world owes you nothing. In the same vein, most third world countries look at America and wish they have all the infrastructural facilities and technology which makes their economy to flourish. They fail to understand that given every equal opportunity everybody is a potential achiever because we don’t have dull brains only brains undeveloped. It’s important to note that Americans are not extraordinary beings because they only have same brain like any other rational mind, the only difference with them is that, they were able to use their imagination to creatively develop their country and make it what it is. We all have the same level of opportunity to succeed, but what we do with our imagination is what makes the difference.
In order to appreciate this article, we shall be looking at the component part of imagination and how it can trigger success. We shall be discussing the component parts of imagination as it relates to the topic:
Visualization: Visualization is basically the process of imagining yourself having achieved your ideal life, down to the smallest details. Visualization is the most effective way to tap into the power of imagination.
Be a Visionary: According to –Albert Einstein “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Great visionary leaders who have truly changed our world perspectives like Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Dr. Mike Adenuga and Walt Disney among others were all visionaries who tapped into the subconscious power of imagination.
Two things happen when we visualize:
- Inwardly, we are opening up the creativity of the subconscious mind. That is why we combine affirmations with visualization in order to produce a very powerful tool.
- Then by adding the power of emotion, we give a command to our subconscious mind to figure out how to make this image a reality.
Everything we see manifested in our lives is a reflection of what’s happening in the brain. Our brains do a couple of major things, first, they keep us alive and secondly, they make sure our outside world is an absolute mirror image of our internal world.
Our imagination is phenomenal. For instance, somebody was using phone and couldn’t go beyond a spot and thought of having a cell phone. Somebody imagined airplane, car, television, computer, interment, clock, etc. Imagination is evidence of things not seen. Imagination was put into you by God to do something great. As a creative writer, I get inspiration to write where most people don’t get inspired.
According to Steve Harvey, when he was in High School, his teacher asked the students to write what they wanted to be in future, he wrote in a book that he wanted to be on TV. His teacher made mockery of him because he was a stutterer. He never looked at his shortcomings in life, he was even homeless for about three years, sleeping in a car, but still, he believed in himself. Today, he’s on the Television doing what he imagined. I can imagine his teacher watching him on television. There’s power in imagination if you truly believe and work towards the actualization of your dreams. You might be fired from your job, faced eviction, lose a relationship/marriage or even loose a loved one, etc., that’s not the end of life. You can still achieve success in life if you tap into the power of imagination.
The power of imagination is not taught in schools. Albert Einstein was able to think in picture. He recognized that visual thinking could strip a problem down to its essence, leading to profoundly simple conclusions that ordinary language might not be able to reach. It doesn’t matter where you are and what you are doing; sportsman, academic, politician, leader, entrepreneur, corporate organizations etc. that truly want to get to the peak of his/her career must tap into the power imagination. If you can’t imagine it, you can’t see it. According to Carl Sagan, “Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.” Albert Einstein sums up imagination when he said “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
Let’s share some component part of imagination.
Socialize: The saying “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are is not a political statement” because the people around you are likely to have a significant impact on you. If you surround yourself with people of wide imagination, some of it should rub off on you.
Read: In order to spark up your imagination, you should always be asking questions like Why? Where? How? What? Who? If there are things or events that you don’t understand, ask. You might be surprised at what you find out. ,
Daydream: You can amuse yourself by speculating on these things, and it will soon become a habit. It can one day trigger an idea for a book, or for a new product that may just change your life. Personally, I never imagined writing a book until the idea was triggered by one of my mentors.
Create: Seeing something take shape even as you are contemplating your next step is inspiring, and it will drive your imagination to new heights. The problem that many people have however is, they lack belief. And with that, dreams are denied any possibility of materializing.
Think of successful people: professional athletes, business executives, and world leaders. They started off with a dream. They imagined what they wanted to become. How did they achieve it? They didn’t destroy it. They didn’t refer to it as impossible. They worked on it every day. And at some point they turned something that was once a figment of their imagination, into their reality.
When you have imagined your idea in your brain, the next step is to imagine how exactly you’re going to get it. Break it down into achievable stages. If it’s a successful career, imagine the company and the position. See yourself at the interview. Do everything you will need to do to obtain it.
Finally, build the whole story in your mind. Spend a few minutes every day just thinking about it – Only in a positive way. Tell yourself that one day you will get there. There is nothing that will stop you. The more you make this a routine, the more likely you are to act upon it. You will realize that it’s not so unachievable after all.
In conclusion, I will leave you with this nugget, Turn your intentions into actions and your dreams will become your reality.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. 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. He can be reached via henrous@gmail.com
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, received a rousing welcome from her supporters and residents of the Ihima community of Kogi State, despite the government’s ban on rallies and processions.
As early as 8am, her supporters from the five local government areas of Kogi Central Senatorial District that Akpoti-Uduaghan represents flooded the Ihima community of Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) to welcome the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker.
Several local musicians took turns entertaining the people who attended the celebration while they awaited the arrival of the female lawmaker.
It did not, however, take long before the embattled senator arrived at the place in a white helicopter, eliciting applause from her teeming, jubilant supporters.
“Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and convoys leading into the state will not be allowed. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not political season, this is not campaign time,” the lawmaker told her supporters and constituents.
“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the Senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time – the Sallah with you, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria. We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”
Her return comes hours after the Kogi State Government banned public gatherings and processions, citing security threats.
This was followed by the imposition of a curfew in the area by the Okehi Local Government Area chairman, Amoka Monday, and a warning from the police for her to cancel the event.
Despite the warnings, the lawmaker told the crowd of supporters that no one can stop her from coming home.
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody,” the PDP senator said.
Operatives of the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos under the leadership of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Adegoke M. Fayoade, have arrested a suspected cult member and members of a human trafficking syndicate.
A statement by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayuba Ummah, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), stated that intelligence at the disposal of the AIG about the criminal activities, hideout and plans of suspected members of EIYE FRATERNITY terrorizing Ijebu-Ife axis of Ogun State led to the deployment of the Officer-in-charge of Zonal Dragon Squad II (ZDS-II) led by DSP Akeem Adeyemi and team for a discrete operation.
While noting that investigation is on-going and suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation, the statement detailed the situation and the process of arrest as follows:
“On 19/03/2025, the hideout of the said cult group was raided while planning an attack where one Orekoya Abayomi ‘m’ aged 54yrs was arrested as others escaped through nearby bush. He led the team to his residence where the following items were recovered:
1. One (1) locally made Single Barrel Pistol,
2. Six (6) Live Cartridges,
3. Twenty-One (21) Voter’s Cards with different names (suspected to be fake) and
4. One (1) Emerald Pump Action Gun with Breach No. 1335.
“Subsequently, a syndicate of human traffickers led by one Stella Edem operating in Ipaja/Ayobo area of Lagos State was bursted on the 22/3/2025, by Operatives of Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS) led by SP Francis Kpoughul as they stormed their base at Command Meran Area of Lagos, where one Stella Edem ‘f’ and Susan Michael ‘f’ were arrested.
“Stella Edem ‘f’ confessed to the crime adding that she was introduced to one Anabel ‘f’ who is based in Mauritania by Rosemary Isaiah Otobong ‘f’ who has been prosecuted for the same offense and is currently serving jail term in the Nigeria Correctional Facility. She added that Anabel contracted her to recruit young girls below the age of 22yrs to be used as sex workers in Mauritania and that she is being paid *Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00k) as commission on each young girl sent to Mauritania. She confessed that among other girls she recruited is her 19 year old daughter citing that she has so far recieved over a total of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦500,000.00k) from Anabel.
“Her accomplice Susan Michael ‘f’ confessed to have being contracted by Stella Edem to recruit young girls to serve as domestic staff in Mauritania but upon questioning and further inquiries she discovered the girls were to be used as sex workers hence she withdrew from the said bussiness adding that the only girl she sent to Stella Edem was rejected due to age and body size and it was at that point she felt something wasn’t right.”
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, and called for sustenance of the spirit of sacrifice, which was exhibited during the holy month for Allah’s intervention in the affairs of the nation.
The Corps Marshal, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), stated this in his Sallah goodwill message to mark the end of the 2025 Ramadan fast.
Corps Marshal Mohammed maintained that Ramadan fast is one of the pillars of Islamic religion and a period of spiritual rejuvenation which makes it mandatory for Muslims to abstain from food and drinks during the daytime from dusk to dawn throughout the month. This he said nurtures the spirit of love, sacrifice and good neighborliness which should be sustained beyond the festivity in order to attain greater national cohesion, patriotic spirit and peaceful coexistence among the diverse people of the country.
While advising Nigerians to celebrate with care, the Corps Marshal stressed the need for motorists to display great patience, love and compassion for one another, not only during the Sallah celebration but beyond the festivity. He restated the commitment of the FRSC to provide safer road environment during the festive period, saying the massive deployment of officers and men across the commands to manage traffic along the major corridors, especially at the identified black spots is geared toward ensuring free and safe movement during the celebration and everyone must adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations.
“I call on all Nigerians to join the campaign to make our roads free and safe not only during the celebration, but beyond it by avoiding speeding, overloading and use of one way,” the Corps Marshal stated
Shehu commended the personnel of the FRSC for the initiative and sacrifice they make in creating safer road environment despite the challenges posed by recalcitrant drivers who disobey traffic rules and regulations without consideration to others, reassuring them of Management’s commitment to initiating policies and programs that could address their welfare needs, especially in the area of improved working and living conditions; capacity development and regular promotion exercises in rewarding excellence.The Corps Marshal further expressed appreciation to the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the necessary logistics and moral support to inspire sacrifices among the personnel, saying Management will not rest in its oars in reciprocating the gestures through increased productivity and improved service delivery by the Corps,” he added
While praying Allah to guide and protect this nation towards peace, stability and development, the Corps Marshal enjoined all Nigerians to embrace the lessons of the Ramadan fast and work towards making the nation’s highways safe for all for enhanced socioeconomic activities.
“As the lead agency for road traffic management and safety administration in the country, the FRSC will continue to improve on its technological innovations for improved traffic management system in the country and everyone must recommit to the campaign to restore sanity to our roads,” the Corps Marshal said.
It would recalled that Eid el fitri celebration is the festival to mark the end of the Ramadan fast by Muslims who embarked on the one month spiritual exercise during which they abstained from food and drinks as well as sexual intimacy from dusk to dawn. It’s also one of the periods of the year with heightened human and vehicular movements which necessitate special operations by the FRSC to ensure free and safe road environment for all road travelers throughout the holiday period.
In the event of a crash or any emergencies, members of the public are enjoined to call the National Emergency line: 122 or report directly to the studio of the FRSC National Traffic Radio, 107.1fm for prompt response.
