Connect with us

Personality in Focus

Henry Ukazu: Celebrating A Catalyst of Pathfinding

Published

on

By Abdulakeem Sodeeq Sulyman
In a world where everyone uses others’ yardsticks to measure their progress, the trailblazers are set apart by the utmost pursuit of their passion to actualise their purpose.” – Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN
Those who are familiar with Henry Ukazu would have heard about his life’s trajectory and a certain point in his life would prompt them to ask how a potentially-thoroughbred legal practitioner turned to a leadership trainer, self-discovery coach and youth advocate, using his platform to transform lives globally. For those who are still in the wilderness, imagining how Henry Ukazu settled for the path he had chosen, the answer is not far-fetched. The turning points in everyone’s life beckons when we realise what we have to do to carve a niche for ourselves.
The above assertion perfectly depicts the life of Henry Ukazu. Another aspect of Henry Ukazu’s life that can cause one to raise eyebrows is knowing that Taxation Law was his major during his master’s in New York Law School. Those who are familiar with the arithmetical demands of taxation would know that settling for it as a practitioner goes beyond being faint-hearted! Yet, Henry Ukazu overcame all odds by not only graduated in taxation; but also earning a laurel by winning the Dean’s prize.
Knowing that Henry Ukazu won the Dean’s prize in Taxation Law and still chosen another path makes it important to stress that the hallmark of every life’s achievement is the one connected with personnel fulfillment. It was the pursuit of this fulfillment that made Henry Ukazu swerved from legal practice and taxation into the pursuit of enculturing people for their purpose and nurturing them for lifetime impact. To me, Henry Ukazu is a replica of Robin Sharma, a trained lawyer, who abandoned one of the Ivy-league chambers, to pursue the quest of leading people to harness their healthset, heartset, mindset and soulset.
Don’t get me wrong readers. I am not saying that Henry Ukazu wouldn’t have attained greatness if he had chosen to venture into legal practice. I know many legal practitioners who are lightening people’s lives through their works; many of those lawyers I have unalloyed admirations for! What I am trying to say is that how Henry Ukazu abandoned the temptations of the social recognitions and financial rewards that accompanied the revered, learned profession is uncommon.
That reflects Henry Ukazu’s selflessness and dedication to worship God with everything he has. A revered pastor, Rick Warren, states that the human potential begins to manifest when they believe in God and allow Him to take absolute control of the courses of their lives. He cited the likes of Abraham, Joseph and others, who, despite being chosen by the Most High, faced their challenges with positive attitudes. Their beliefs in God slotted them in admirable places in the books of histories.
Henry Ukazu’s personality is one that exudes the aura of companionship and humanity. Any encounters I have with him always prompt me to think about the words of Gary Thomas, in the book, “The Sacred Pathways,” where he outlined nine ways human beings worship God, the supreme being. To me, Henry Ukazu is an enigma, who falls into the realms of Ascetics, Activists, Enthusiasts, Caregivers, Contemplatives and Intellectuals.
Henry Ukazu is an Ascetic because he devoted certain hours of his days to worship God in solitude and simplicity. There are certain hours of the day that he would neither receive calls nor respond to messages all because he is strengthening his ties with his Creator. Henry Ukazu is also an Activist by using his resources to battle evil, fight injustices and strive to make the world a better place. To him, nothing makes the world when its adherents are suffering! This justifies why Henry Ukazu is always ready to spend his last penny on appreciating talents and ingenuities.
Anyone who had witnessed Henry Ukazu’s celebration of successes and landmarks would attest to his Enthusiastic nature. No doubt that as today marks his birthday, it is very certain that his mouth would be full of praise for God’s favours showered upon him! Moreso, I can also say that Henry Ukazu is an Intellectual because he worships and loves God by studying other people’s minds. Anyone meeting Henry Ukazu for the first time without narcisurfing about him would never have a clue of his intellectual mettle. He is an intellectual of yore imbued with sound and robust absorptive capacity.
As the day breaks daily to set people apart for what they would be celebrated for, it is imperative to state that Henry Ukazu is one of the global icons that have deployed their intellectual and spiritual resources to brighten the lives of many. His utmost devotion to the pursuit of God’s purpose for his life has distinguished him, positioned him to stand with the giants and catapulted him to the heights of his ambitions.
Today, I joined other colleagues, acquaintances, protégés, well-wishers, friends, brothers and family members across the world to celebrate Henry Ukazu, thank God for his life; pray to God to continue to perfect his ways and crown his efforts with rewards that will elevate him to the league of change-makers and life-changers.
Many more productive, fulfilling and prosperous years!!!
Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN is an Author, Librarian and Researcher, who writes from Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. He can be reached via +2348132226994
Continue Reading
Advertisement


Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Personality in Focus

DSP Gbenga Appointed Zone 2 PPRO, Assumes Office

Published

on

The Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone 2, Lagos, has announced the appointment and resumption of duty of DSP Afolayan Gbanga as the new Police Public Relations Officer.

The appointment, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), was as a result of the redeployment of Police Public Relations Officers of the rank of CSP by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

The statement stated DSP Gbenga’s credentials as follows:

The newly posted Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Afolayan Gbenga who hails from Ijero Ekiti local Government Area of Ekiti State enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on the 20thof December, 2018 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police Regular Course 1 and was trained at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State where hebagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.

DSP Afolayan Gbenga has attended combat operation course at the Police Mobile Force Training school, Ila Orangun, Osun State and Operational Leadership and Command Course (OLCC) at the Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State.

He has served in various capacities at Enuowa Division, Fanibi division, CP monitoring Unit, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer all in Ondo State Command. He has also served as the Personal Assistant to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zone 17 headquarters and Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command. Until his recent deployment as the Police Public Relations Officer, he was serving at the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos.

DSP Afolayan Gbenga possesses requisite knowledge and experience in administration, operations, investigations and in Police Public relations and has expressed his deliberate action in ensuring that he creates and solidifies a reliable and trust centered communication as well as a progressive partnership with the community/public through result drivenengagement and service.

The Zone 2 Headquarters hereby call on members of the public, the good people of Lagos and Ogun State, the media, and other stakeholders to extend their usual support and cooperation to the new Police Public Relations Officer as he assumes office and discharge his duties.

He can be reached on 09062011772 and 08166350754
His Social Media handles include;
X: @Gbeyngar
Facebook: Afolayan Gbenga
Instagram: @Gbeyngar

Continue Reading

Personality in Focus

Ex-CJN Tanko Mohammed is Dead

Published

on

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), is dead. He was aged 71

The former CJN reportedly died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, about two weeks before his 72nd birthday on December 31.

Muhammad’s death was confirmed in a condolence statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS).

In the statement titled “NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the association described his passing as a significant loss for the country.

“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return.

“The Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, receives with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria. His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large,” NAMLAS said.

The association hailed Justice Muhammad as “a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice.”

According to NAMLAS, throughout his judicial career, Muhammad “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law.”

“As Chief Justice of Nigeria, he discharged his responsibilities with wisdom and restraint, leaving behind a legacy of service that will continue to guide generations of legal practitioners,” the statement added.

Beyond his role on the Bench, the association noted the late jurist’s mentorship of young Muslim law students across the country.

“To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students across the country,” it said.

The association also highlighted that the deceased’s “support, moral guidance, and openness to the aspirations of young Muslim legal minds reflected his deep belief in mentorship, continuity, and the nurturing of future custodians of justice.”

It extended condolences to his family, the Nigerian judiciary, and the nation.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, the Nigerian Judiciary, the Government and people of Nigeria, and the entire Muslim Ummah”.

The association offered prayers for the repose of his soul, asking that Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him “the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus.”

Continue Reading

Personality in Focus

New Ogun PPRO Babaseyi Assumes Office

Published

on

The newly appointed Police Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, has assumed office, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) can report.

Babaseyi was appointed last week by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, following the transfer of all Police Public Relations Officers of the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP). He succeeds CSP Omolola Odutola, who is reported to have maintained a legacy of professionalism, transparency and friendliness, and has been transferred to the Lagos State Police Command for higher national assignments.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi is a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, and a Diploma in Law from Osun State University. A distinguished member of the 1st Regular Course of the Nigeria Police Academy, his academic and professional background provides a solid foundation in police operations, investigations, administration, and strategic communication.

He has served in several operational, investigative, and administrative capacities across divisions and specialized units. He previously served as Divisional Crime Officer at Monatan and Kajorepo Divisions, and as Officer-in-Charge of Ilaji and Lagelu Police Posts in Oyo State, where he led criminal investigations, supervised personnel, and coordinated crime prevention strategies. His operational expertise was further strengthened by a three-year deployment with the Police Mobile Force (22 PMF) as Unit Commander. In 2023, he trained at the Nigeria Army School of Special Forces, Buni Yadi, and subsequently led personnel in joint military operations under Operation Hadin Kai across Yobe and Borno States.

DSP Babaseyi also brings strong experience in police administration and public relations to his new role. He previously served as Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command and as Secretary to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, where he was deeply involved in command management, strategic planning, and inter-agency coordination. Until his appointment as Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, he distinguished himself in media relations and information management.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi is happily married with children, and can be reached on 0816 238 2281.

Continue Reading