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Food for Living: Your Vision, Your Life
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Destiny Friends,
“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others” – Jonathan Swift
We all have vision. Whether you are a student, businessman/woman, teacher/professor, art man/woman, politician, leader or even a family-oriented person, you have an idea of the kind of life you will like to live and how you will like the future to look like depending on your interest. One of the most reliable ways of making your dreams come true is having your vision at the back of your mind. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon, in his book: The Big Picture, painted a picture about finding a vision for your own life that can reframe your priorities, energize your efforts, and inspire you to change the world around you.
Vision is what separates an ordinary mind from an extra-ordinary mind. Vision differentiates one company/organization from the other. Vision can be regarded as the fuel and energy of life. This is because, without vision, passion dies.
When you have a vision, you’ll definitely have the modus operandi (mission) to carry it out. The mission is the process or instrument which anchors the vision. Vision is necessary for growth. It is the vision every rational being considers to decipher the mindset and concert of any person or organization.
There’s nothing bad in aspiring for greater opportunities in life. The only major obstacle for anyone with a plan to succeed in life is having the courage to pursue his/her dreams when the desired plans don’t add up.
In understanding vision, let’s consider a group of students who just got admission into a reputable university or a group of employees who just got hired. These set of individuals will normally be excited because of the opportunities staring at them. But on a cursory look, if you ask each person their career plans, you may be surprised to know that they all have different visions and understanding towards life. Some just to get the certificate, some just want to get a job and pay bills, while some have the mindset of – this is just the beginning of an enterprising journey for me. This being might have plans of acquiring more degrees and certificates in order to move up the ladder of success. This is simply how vision works.
To put words in proper perspective, we all look at the same thing but don’t see the same thing; we all sit in the classroom but don’t understand the same thing, we all walk through life but get a different taste to life. Just like we all have tongues but have different taste buds. Even in business, the pattern of Mr. A is quite different from B. So, what vision do you have in life?
It’s interesting to know that your life’s vision defines who you want to be, what you want to be known for and the set of experiences and accomplishments you aim for. Your vision helps define your goals by giving you a framework to evaluate those goals. Your vision helps to define your why. You can say, your vision becomes your why.
Most notably, a vision is about your future and who you want to be, whilst the mission statement focuses on today and what you do through your actions and behavior.
To know about the vision of any company or human being, ask the person or management of the company, where they plan to be in five to ten years and ask why they do what they do. This will give you an idea about how their mindset works.
Vision is what drives a company’s success. Vision is what propels a human being to desire change in any established organization, society or learning environment. Vison needs to be properly communicated so that all interested persons can be in the loop. This helps to create understanding and enables rational minds to make an informed decision if they will like to key in into the idea.
Your vision might be too large for little minds to comprehend, however, it’s not up to you to lower your standards or values in life to accommodate little minds.
In order to determine one’s vision, you’ll have to determine the values and what matters in the person’s life. It can be health, relationship, youths, women empowerment, leadership, family values, education, religion or even politics
For each of your categories, write down what you want or need from each. Think about the things you want to accomplish or experience, and look at the loopholes you’ll like to address.
Discovering Your Vision
Each of us is put here on earth for a purpose. We want to achieve and accomplish certain things during our lifetime, and for most of us, the passion we feel deep down ignites us and brings our hopes and dreams to the surface. In understanding vision, let’s take into consideration the following point:
What are you deeply passionate about?
What type of work do you find engaging and truly enjoy?
If someone were to describe you, what words would you want them to use?
At the end of your life, what will be the greatest accomplishment?
According to Thomas Edison, “Having a vision for what you want is not enough…Vision without execution is hallucination.” Therefore it is imperatively important to key into action when you discover your purpose and vision in life.
The first thing we must realize is that our vision will never become a reality if we sit back and wait for it to happen. Like all things in life, talking about our vision is not enough, we must get busy and work towards our goals.
According to a school of thought, the A,B,C of defining your vision can be classified as:
· A — Assess where you currently are. Look at all aspects of your life; physically, financially, spiritually, and emotionally. By knowing where you now, will cause you to see where you need to go and what you need to do to get there.
· B — Begin to move forward. No matter how small it may seem, one step closer towards your vision will help you in reaching your vision.
· C- Create a vision statement. A written statement can encourage you when feelings of doubt creep in. Describe what you want to accomplish, how you plan to get there and include a timeline for tracking your progress.
· D- Determination is critical. One of the biggest discouragements you may face is the obstacles that most certainly will come your way. There will be doubters that feel the need to share their unsolicited opinion. There may be financial or physical limits, but the determination to persevere can be the difference between failure and accomplishment.
· E- Enlist the help of others. Alternatively, you can seek the help of others in actualizing your vision.
· F — Finish Lines aren’t the end. Having a vision or dream is an ongoing process. You will find that as long as there is breath inside you, there is no finish line
Just like we are all wired to do different things. We weren’t born to do everything, but you were born to make an impact in this world. By discovering your vision, you have the extraordinary ability to contribute to this world making it a better place.
I will conclude with great quotes from great minds to keep us inspired when we decide to pursue our vision.
“The only thing worse that being blind is having no vision – Helen Keller
“Vision is the picture of the future that produces passion -Bill Hybels
Vision is the ability to see what others over -Rick Warren.
Chase the vision not the money, the money will end up following you- Tony Hsieh.
Where there’s no vison there’s no hope- George Washington.
In summary, what’s your vision in life?
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
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.
The opposition African Democratic Congress and the Labour Party on Sunday criticized President Bola Tinubu for departing Nigeria for Europe on holiday at a time the country is grappling with rising insecurity, including foreign military interventions in the North.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Tinubu left Lagos for Europe for his end-of-year holiday ahead of an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to attend the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the trip was by invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the summit, which gathers global leaders from government, business, and civil society to advance sustainable development strategies.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has invited President Tinubu to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, which will take place in the emirate early in January,” the statement read.
Reacting to Tinubu’s departure, the ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, faulted the timing as inappropriate given the security challenges facing the country.
The ADC noted the deadly terrorist bomb blast in Zamfara and the ongoing foreign military involvement, calling the President’s move insensitive.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s lack of care is alarming. In the wake of another deadly bomb blast in Zamfara, and following an unprecedented foreign military attack on Nigerian soil, the nation is waiting for reassurance from its leader. Instead, we learn the President has gone on holiday. What a President!” Abdullahi said.
Similarly, LP’s acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, described the trip as “insensitive and devoid of empathy” for Nigerians facing violent attacks and humanitarian crises.
Speaking through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, she stressed that the President should have remained in the country to coordinate security responses.
“This is the most inauspicious time for the President to leave the country. Even the Christmas holiday in Lagos seems ill-timed, given that a bomb exploded in Zamfara today, killing nine people,” Usman said.
She further alleged that Nigeria was under external attack and accused the government of downplaying the severity of the situation.
“Nigeria is under attack by a foreign nation. No matter how the government tries to frame this, it is a violation of our sovereignty. This is the time for the commander-in-chief to coordinate the response, not embark on a holiday,” Usman said.
She added that the President had not convened critical security meetings since the U.S.-led bombardment of terrorist camps in Kwara and Sokoto States and condemned the perceived lack of engagement with military leadership.
The President’s trip comes amid heightened security concerns. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump authorised AFRICOM to conduct airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State, hours before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the operation. A deadly bomb blast in Zamfara on Friday claimed several lives.
The 17th edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will run from January 11 to 15 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go.”
The event aims to connect innovation, finance, and people to advance sustainable development.
Onanuga confirmed that Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the summit.
Hosted by Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy company, the summit will feature the invitation-only ADSW Summit, the World Future Energy Summit, the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, and specialised sessions on hydrogen, climate finance, water security, and utilities in the Global South. Organisers expect more than 50,000 participants from over 170 countries, featuring over 700 global brands and exhibitions of emerging clean technologies.
The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, noted that ADSW 2026 builds on two decades of the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy.
Tinubu previously attended the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2025, where he held meetings with Gulf investors and officials on trade, energy cooperation, and climate finance.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu has undertaken at least 46 foreign trips, spending an estimated 192 days abroad as of October 2025. In 2025 alone, he travelled internationally no fewer than 15 times to countries including Ghana, the UAE, Tanzania, France, Italy, Saint Lucia, Japan, and Brazil for summits, bilateral engagements, and holidays.
