News
Food for Living: Your Value is Your Influence
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
When you hear the word value, what comes to your mind? Value means different things to different people. To an academic, value might mean their academic credentials; to an employer, value might mean what a prospective employee might bring to the table; to a married partner or someone in a relationship, their value might be their qualities; to a real estate agent, value might mean the net worth of a house, and to an entrepreneur; it might be their asset.
In our contemporary society, when the word value is mentioned, many people think of money, but in reality, value is more than money. Value has a lot to do with your personality and intrinsic qualities which defines you. Value can be regarded as life because it is what you place on someone or something that will determine the respect or recognition that you will give to it. If you value time, you will endeavor to keep to time, if you value education, you will do your best to get a decent grade or education, if you value life, you will do your best to treat human beings fairly.
In business, your value is your bargaining power, when you have great value, you will be able to negotiate well. It’s sad to note that sometimes we undervalue ourselves and sell ourselves cheap just because we need certain opportunities. Your true value remains is in who you are and not what people think about you. When you truly know who are, you won’t be deterred due to the setbacks and vicissitudes of life.
If you want to gain more in life, have to produce results. Nobody will pay you more than you deserve. In your potential resides your value. Your capability in life has a lot to do with your mindset. According to Henry Ford, “if you think you can, you are right, if you think you can’t you are right”. Nobody knows you more than you know yourself. Your value and potential is intangible, you can’t see, but you can feel it. Only visionary people with the eyes of an eagle and see the value and potential in your being.
To determine your value, you must know what you are willing to give up and what you can accept to make a deal come through. For instance, if you have a desire to attain a certain ambition in life, you must sacrifice certain interests. Also, if as an upright man, you are asked to accept a kickback/bribe, whatever you demand or accept to be paid you is your value.
Your value does not have to do with where you are, it has a lot to do with where you are heading. So, you might be doing a dirty job or menial job to foot the bills, but that doesn’t define you. I remembered working as a security officer for many years in the US while doing my graduate program in New York Law School and even after my program, just because I couldn’t find a befitting job. I didn’t quit because I know one day an opportunity will present itself which ultimately came to pass.
So, this is to encourage you to hang in there, gain the experience, knowledge, and network wherever you are, you never can tell when it will come in handy. Each and every one of us has a different path to life. What’s important is to appreciate the journey and inherent lessons.
There are so many varieties of value. What Mr. A might value might be different from what Mr. B. might value. As human beings, we have different tastes. The same is applicable to different tribes, countries, and continents. What one tribe, country, or continent might value, might not be appreciated in another location.
Knowing your true value will help you in every aspect of business and life and this can only happen when you believe in yourself. Remember, if nobody believes you, believe in yourself. You need to believe in yourself before people will believe in you. Your confidence in life has a way of attracting people to you and when people believe in you, they can key into your vision. That’s how great leaders lead.
Value has a lot to do with location and how you communicate your thoughts. For instance, a bottle of water might be worth $5 in a store, but it might be sold for $10 in a hotel and $20 at the airport. It’s instructive to note that it’s the same brand of bottle and the same bottle, the only thing that changes is the location. The moral of this post is that when you are not celebrated or feel worthless in a place, have the courage to leave the scene and go to a place where you will be celebrated. Surround yourself with people who see your value and celebrate you.
In conclusion, work on adding value to your life regardless of any path you have chosen in life. As a lady, man, student, politician, businessman, pastor, parent, etc., strive to add value to your life because it will go a long way to enhance your life.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He’s a Human Capacity & mindset coach. He’s also a public speaker. 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 Nigeria Police Force has suspended the nationwide enforcement of its tinted glass permit policy following an interim court order that restrained the move.
The Force announced on December 15, 2025, that it would begin enforcing the policy starting January 2, 2026, citing its responsibility to ensure public safety and internal security.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin, the police revealed that they were served with an interim order on December 17, 2025.
The enforcement will remain suspended pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit or the vacation of the interim order.
“The Nigeria Police Force was served with an interim order of court in Suit No. HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, issued on 17th December 2025, restraining the Force from proceeding with the enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit or the vacation of the order,” the statement said.
The police also confirmed that they had entered an appearance in the case, raised preliminary objections, and formally requested the vacation of the interim order.
The case has been adjourned to January 20, 2026, for further hearing.
“In line with constitutional obligations and respect for judicial authority, the Nigeria Police Force has entered appearance in the matter, raised preliminary objections, and formally applied for the vacation of the interim order. The court has adjourned the case to 20th January 2026 for further proceedings,” the statement added.
The statement noted that the suspension of enforcement is being carried out in strict adherence to the ongoing court order.
“Accordingly, and strictly in compliance with the subsisting court order, the Nigeria Police Force has placed the enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy on hold nationwide, pending the decision of the court.”
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to upholding the rule of law while fulfilling its duty to protect lives and property.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, affirms that the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in upholding the rule of law while discharging its primary mandate of protecting lives and property. The Force will continue to deploy lawful, intelligence-driven strategies to address security challenges and safeguard public safety across the country,” the statement added.
The Force also assured members of the public that it would communicate further developments and issue clear guidance as appropriate, following the court’s determination of the matter, in the overriding interest of public order and national security.
The Federal High Court In Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of the Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the remand of his co-dedendants, his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives Bashir Asabe.
Justice Nwite made the order after taking arguments from the defence team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution counsel Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count money laundering charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise the proceeds of unlawful activities running into several billions of naira.
According to the charge, the alleged offences span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.
The commission further alleges that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sent a veiled message to Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying support for President Bola Tinubu alone will not guarantee any election ticket.
Wike made the statement on Sunday during a public outing in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
His remarks were widely seen as directed at Governor Fubara, amid lingering political crisis in the State.
The former Governor of Rivers State said political loyalty must be tested during difficult times, not after power has been secured.
He mocked those he described as late supporters of President Tinubu, insisting that sudden alignment would not earn political rewards.
He said: “So the issue is not whether you are supporting Tinubu. That one, we have taken too long, long… Yes, oh. So Tinubu’s issue is not an issue again. Yes. Do you understand me? Yes. Tinubu’s issue is that nobody should be coming here to tell a day. We are for Tinubu; I am against you. Who is for Tinubu University? (laughs) That cannot give you any ticket oh! (laughs again) Direct, direct. It will not. Direction. Direction.”
Wike stressed that his political camp stood with Tinubu when the decision was unpopular. He said that support given under pressure carries more weight than alignment after victory.
He also recalled how the Rivers State House of Assembly openly backed Tinubu early, long before the election outcome was certain.
According to him, some of those now making public declarations were absent during the critical period.
“The same people now who came to declare, put them to God… But they should declare they are saying it for a candidate. Yes. Don’t you see characters? (laughs) So I send the sword far ahead of them.”
Wike further spoke on governance and continuity. He defended projects and agreements initiated during his tenure as governor. He said it is often difficult for successors to acknowledge past efforts, even though government is a continuous process.
His comments come weeks after Governor Fubara formally aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party of President Tinubu.
The move followed months of political crisis in Rivers State, which led to federal intervention and a declaration of emergency rule.
Political watchers believe Wike’s remarks constitute a direct response to Fubara’s recent positioning as a key Tinubu ally in Rivers politics. Critics argue that Fubara’s support surfaced only after the political storm had settled.
Wike, who remains a dominant force in Rivers State politics despite serving in Abuja, appears to have drawn a clear line ahead of the 2027 elections.
He suggested that political tickets would be decided by proven loyalty, not convenience.
Videos from the event in Rumuche, Emohua, spread rapidly on social media. Many users described the speech as a coded warning to the governor.
As of press time, neither the Rivers State Government nor Wike’s media team had issued an official clarification.
The comments, however, suggest that the political rift between both camps is still active, despite earlier peace moves brokered at the national level.
