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Opinion: The Power of Zero (Part 2)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
Zero as Little Beginning
“The law of Effective Achievement states that, “being consistent in doing ‘mini’ on and on guarantees effective DOMINION. Little drops of water could make a mighty ocean. Don’t be too proud to start small, break that ego! never despise the days of little beginning”! – Tolulope A. Adegoke
Dear Readers,
Here is another important perspective from which we must consider this interesting subject. As individuals, we tend to overlook the foundations of little beginnings. We often do not want to start small. We forget that just as the number zero is a cogent number that requires work to make it significant, we need to work on our small beginning to make it great. As long as we keep working on it tirelessly in the right way, it will surely produce the desired results.
Whatever your calling or talent in life is, never despise the days of little beginnings. God Himself has promised, “And though thy beginning was small, yet thine end shall be very great” (Job 8:7). The zero beginning of today may become the biggest corporation of tomorrow. People who own the biggest companies today did not become successful when their businesses began to blossom; they became successful the day they conceived the ideas that made them successful. They were pregnant with ideas that were so rich that they yielded success when applied.
This must again prove to you that ‘zero’ is a very pregnant number that must not be underrated or undermined! To use the words of James Allen, “The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.”
A woman who gave birth today became pregnant immediately her fertilised egg was implanted in the lining of her uterus. It was the continuous nourishment and splitting of this little egg that resulted in the beautiful bouncing baby that was eventually born. That is the power of zero, the mother of all numbers!
Many young people today do not want to start small; they do not believe in the potentiality of zero, let alone igniting it. Yet the truth is that the power of zero starts manifesting – even when there is ‘nothing’ in your bank account – as soon as you conceive an idea that will eventually change your life when applied.
Let me quote James Allen again, “Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if you but perceive an ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without. Here is a youth hard pressed by poverty and labour; confined long hours in an unhealthy workshop; unschooled, and lacking all the arts of refinement. But he dreams of better things: he thinks of intelligence, of refinement, of grace and beauty. He conceives of, mentally builds up, an ideal condition of life; the vision of a wider liberty and a larger scope takes possession of him; unrest urges him to action, and he utilises all his spare time and means, small though they are, to the development of his latent powers and resources. Very soon so altered has his mind become that the workshop can no longer hold him. It has become so out of harmony with his mentality that it falls out of his life as a garment is cast aside, and, with the growth of opportunities which fit the scope of his expanding powers, he passes out of it forever. Years later we see this youth as a full-grown man. We find him a master of certain forces of the mind which he wields with worldwide influence and almost unequalled power.”
Lessons from the Creator
Genesis 2:7 says, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” God made man, the crown of His creation, out of the dust of the earth – which was like an insignificant thing, a zero. First, He moulded the man into His desired shape and structure; and then He brought life into Him by breathing into him. He empowered him with His ‘breath’ to become a living being.
God did not underrate the power of the zero (that is, the dust of the earth). He knew that, with the right input and approach, a hero could emerge from the zero. And that was exactly what happened! God saw HOPE; He saw a bright future in mere dust. And that’s because He knew that nothing He created was useless – even the earth and its dust have many powerful potentials.
It is this same principle that worked for the creation of man that still works for re-creation through man. All of the inventions and breakthroughs that we see around emerged because some people decided to work on their seemingly insignificant ideas and dreams. This should let you know that no idea, dream or beginning is insignificant. And of course, most importantly, no individual is insignificant.
Let’s apply this in the workplace. You can never get the best out of any staff that you consider a dummy and never-do-well. What such a staff requires is relevant motivation, direction and impartation. It is the combined force of these approaches that will awaken the giant in the staff.
Even the best of your staff members must be constantly appreciated and rejuvenated with consistent trainings and motivating incentives. This process births the best out of them and propels them to deliver their very best and at the same time retain their loyalty to the organisation.
It is the same with youngsters in school. A student who is constantly rated zero would soon begin see himself as a failure; yet, in the real sense of it, he is not a failure because he, at least makes attempts – only that he is not able to perform up to expectation. As the case of Prof. Imafidon and others have revealed, that same child, if nurtured and bolstered with appropriate motivation, the zeal for success will be activated within him and this will enable him to take the required steps towards attaining excellence.
The student who scored zero in a test or examination has hope; at least, he made an attempt and could be better next time if he could work harder with the zeal to succeed. He is far better than someone who was absent for the test or who never made an attempt at all.
A Personal Experience
Before wrapping up this part, let me share my experience with you. I remember that when I was much younger, I often took the last position in school, until my story changed – mainly through the influence of my mother. My mother was a disciplinarian; yet, instead of beating the hell out of me whenever she saw my report card, she would draw me closer with words like: “I still believe in you! You can do better”. Her attitude always made me look at her with wonder and I would ask myself, “What kind of woman is this?”
It is now that I have come to realise that my mother used this approach because she understood the power of zero. Her motivations, calm words and constant efforts towards making me better sparked the desire to succeed in me. I found myself saying, “You must succeed and prosper, even if not for anyone else but for the sake of this woman…She believes in you so very much!” This mentality activated a lot of dead cells in me for excellence beyond human comprehension.
The effectiveness of this approach of my mother has tremendously contributed to shaping my belief in the boundless potentialities of zero. The law of effective achievement states that, being consistent in doing MINI on and on guarantees effective DOMINION. Little drops of water could make a mighty ocean. Don’t be too proud to start small, break that ego! never despise the days of little beginning!
I hope it further convinces you that you must never give up on yourself or anyone else, nor should you despise your little beginnings!
Watch out for the Book titled: “The Power of an Empowered Zero” (Awakening the Giant Within You) by Tolulope A. Adegoke. Foreword by Dr Yomi Garnett (CEO/Chancellor, Royal Biographical Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.SA., U.K., Abuja, Nigeria.) Edited by Ola Aboderin.
Tolulope A. Adegoke is an acclaimed “globalpreneur”, with the mandate to enrich lives and provide the professional, spiritual, academic and leadership empowerment needed to birth, maximize and sustain possibilities in peoples, corporates and nations. He is a prolific writer, frequent keynote speaker and spoken word poet, among others, having written countless articles in diverse reputable fields and honoured many public invitations.
He is also a Senior Administrator.
Tolulope Adegoke can be booked for public events via the contacts below:
E-mail: adegoketolulope1022@gmail.com
The Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, has expressed deep satisfaction with the conduct of the ongoing recruitment exercises for its orderly and transparent nature across the country.
He made the commendation, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), while receiving feedback from filed officers across the country and described the process as not just a routine exercise, but a critical step toward rebuilding public trust and enhancing the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Minister urged all participants to remain law-abiding, disciplined, and patient throughout the screening process. He emphasized that integrity and respect for due process are as important as physical and academic qualifications, noting that the future of policing in Nigeria depends largely on the character and commitment of those who wear the uniform.
“This is more than recruitment; it is a call to national service,” he stated. “Nigeria needs men and women of honor, individuals who understand that security is the foundation upon which development and prosperity are built.” Gaidam stressed.
The Minister also extended heartfelt appreciation to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for its bold and strategic approval of the recruitment of 50,000 police personnel.
He stressed that the unprecedented move demonstrates a clear resolve to address longstanding gaps in manpower while repositioning the Police Force to meet modern security challenges, just as he noted that beyond numbers, the current administration is focused on meaningful reform—transforming policing into a more professional, accountable, and citizen-centered institution.
Gaidam stated that from improved training frameworks to enhanced welfare and operational support, the reform agenda signals a new era for law enforcement in Nigeria.
The Minister noted that the ongoing recruitment exercise, therefore, stands as a symbol of renewed hope—a bridge between the present challenges and a future where communities feel safer, justice is more accessible, and the rule of law is upheld without compromise.
As the screening continues across the nation, the Minister called on all stakeholders—traditional leaders, community members, and institutions, to support the process and encourage eligible youths to participate with sincerity and patriotism.
“Nigeria’s path to a safer, more secure future is being steadily strengthened through deliberate reforms and renewed commitment to nation-building noting that at the heart of this progress is the ongoing nationwide police recruitment screening exercise, an initiative that reflects both hope and responsibility for thousands of young Nigerians,” the Minister concluded.
Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has launched a scathing attack on Rauf Aregbesola following the latter’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The exchange comes hours after Aregbesola, while speaking at the convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday, described the Tinubu administration as a government of “scammers”, urging Nigerians to block it from retaining power after the 2027 general elections.
“If allowed, this regime will continue to chant renewed hope till eternity. We have a duty to stop these scammers from retaining power,” Aregbesola said.
In a swift response, Onanuga dismissed the remarks and accused the former Governor of Osun State of hypocrisy and poor performance during his time in office.
“My attention has been drawn to Rauf Aregbesola’s attack on the Tinubu administration at today’s illegal elective convention of the ADC — a party of desperados and power mongers who, to date, have not articulated any credible plan for Nigeria,” he said.
Onanuga further criticised Aregbesola for failing to reflect on his own record before attacking his “former boss and benefactor.”
“Unfortunately, Aregbesola did not undertake any honest self-reflection on his own record in public office — as governor or as Minister of Interior,” he stated.
He alleged that Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of Osun State was marked by hardship and poor economic management.
“His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the people. Under his half-baked socialist policies, civil servants went unpaid for months, and those who were paid received only a fraction of their salaries,” Onanuga said.
“It is to Aregbesola’s infamy that Osun became known as a State receiving negative federal allocation and paying just 20 to 30 per cent of normal salaries. It was worse for pensioners in Aregbesola’s Osun State. Many pensioners who relied on their meagre monthly payments died because they were not paid at all.”
Turning to Aregbesola’s tenure as Minister of Interior under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Onanuga said it recorded major security lapses.
“As Minister of Interior under President Muhammadu Buhari, his tenure witnessed the highest number of jailbreaks in Nigeria’s history — including the infamous Kuje Prison escape in Abuja,” he said.
“During his four years, obtaining a Nigerian passport became a nightmarish process, and there were 15 major attacks on correctional facilities in Jos, Abolongo, Imo, Kabba, and Okitipupa, resulting in over 4,000 inmates escaping to join criminal elements.”
Onanuga added, “For someone who failed so woefully to secure our correctional centres and uphold his duties between 2019 and 2023, it is ironic that Aregbesola now seeks to lecture others on insecurity.”
He further accused Aregbesola and other ADC leaders of lacking credible policy alternatives stating, “The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC.”
Defending the current administration, Onanuga said the government had acknowledged challenges arising from reforms but was implementing measures to mitigate their impact.
“The Tinubu administration has never shied away from acknowledging that policy reforms have brought unintended consequences, impacting the most vulnerable,” he said, adding that efforts such as wage increases, social support programmes, and economic reforms were underway.
He insisted that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was yielding results, including improved economic indicators and increased investor confidence.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam,” Onanuga said, maintaining that the government would continue its policies to stabilise the economy and address security challenges.
Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has argued that Nigeria’s lingering insecurity could be decisively tackled within six months if the Federal government demonstrates sufficient commitment.
Ndume stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, where he expressed concern over the recent escalation of violence, particularly in the North-East.
The lawmaker stressed that beyond complaints, what is required is decisive action and political will.
“It is not about complaining. It is not about asking somebody like me as a senator to say why these things. I always believe that if the President and the Federal Government of Nigeria are serious about this, we can end this thing (insecurity) in six months.
“All we need is to train our soldiers, equip them, arm them very well, and then motivate them,” Ndume said.
The senator lamented the continued loss of military personnel, including senior officers, noting that such incidents highlight deeper operational challenges.
“After killing their commanders, they now come back to kill our commanders and they are still taking about five, six, or even seven. Even today, around Northern Borno, we lost a colonel, I understand, with some soldiers. This should not continue. This is now the problem,” he said.
Ndume also attributed the worsening security situation to inconsistent and incomplete implementation of security strategies.
“The escalating security situation has really been enhanced by the challenge and the threat, and the actions that have been taken that have never been completely done. We have to be very serious about this matter; we have to walk the talk.”
Speaking on the issue of foreign support, the lawmaker emphasised the need for intelligence, technology, and specialised expertise rather than relying on external forces.
“What we need is intelligence. What we need is air support. We also need the expertise of those that are specialists. We even have some that were trained outside, special forces. We have capable hands already on the ground; all they need is equipment, ammunition, and motivation.
“We do not have enough drones. Look at what Burkina Faso is doing, it is technology. We can use technology to finish or minimise these things within the shortest possible time. If you deploy drones and have trained people to operate them, with proper command centres, we can achieve results,” he said.
The Borno South senator further noted that Borno State would have suffered greater devastation without the efforts of Governor Babagana Zulum and commended his interventions in stabilising parts of the State.
Ndume’s comments come amid renewed security concerns in the North-East and across Nigeria.
A recent airstrike at Jilli Market along the Yobe–Borno border on Saturday has come under scrutiny over reported civilian casualties.
The Nigerian Air Force said the strike targeted suspected Boko Haram insurgents and that it is investigating reported civilian casualties.
While casualty figures remain unclear, several deaths and injuries were reported, with victims receiving treatment in nearby facilities.
The incident also followed a deadly attack on Thursday on a military formation in Benisheikh, where troops repelled insurgents but suffered casualties.
Security challenges, including banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes, persist nationwide.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, during a recent visit to Bayelsa State, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Earlier, the United States Department of State had issued travel advisories and begun reducing its staff presence in Abuja. Federal government, however, described it as a routine precaution and not a reflection the country’s security situation.
