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The Laws and the Kings (Pt. 2)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“Weaknesses could be the best definition of describing a fool to his generation; excuses could also be the best description of failures! In fact, an excuse is a beautiful way of describing “why” you have failed as a being! No one is ever too small to lead, and none will ever be too big to serve! Your gifts as MAN is at the mercy of your abilities to respond swiftly and responsibly (with good character) to changes, opportunities and challenges so as to appropriately MANage the resources (or gifts of men and things) that God Almighty has put in your care or custody. If you then fail to combine the worthy “equations” of “Responsiveness” + “Abilities”, which equals to “Responsibilities”, and the equations of “Discipline” and “Discipleship”, you would lack “fellowship” and “followership”! And if a you have no one to lead but “rule” (ride), you would end up destroying your purposes and the treasure troves you have been exposed to, to keep and engage, to build and rebuild, to sustain and retain as you have automatically embarked on a course of “error” that dishonours the original purpose of your being and it essences, even at present, as your presence is no longer a “present” or answers to the prayers of your generation, which in-turns limits your effects of handing over good works unto coming generation(s). Therefore, the original intention of the Creator to have chosen you for this course as “leader” is to become or multiply as bundles of “seeds” to be sown, and as sacrificial offering presented by God to (your)generation(s) for the building of destinies (which are) encrypted or locked up in “tiny” earthly vessels called MAN: for their risings, which are intended to “sing” and continue to “sing” to the goodness and glory of God Almighty (Himself), and not that of the “messenger” who has been chosen a leader with the “cross” of “courses” intended to cause or erupt (positive) change and sustain it, to retain it as “batons” of hope by faith (and works) to be deliberately passed on and on with passion unto others, all through generations!” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, Ph.D., MNIM
The Golden Guiding Rules (continues):
i. No matter his level, size or stature, a king, must NEVER GIVE UP TOO SOON!
Giving up too soon automatically results to failure and disqualifies a being from “being”. Even in the thickness of the dark, in the face of defeat, in the harshness of the weather, in the heat of times, a king must never give up! The never give up statement is the daily mantra of champions and of kings! Kings are crowned ultimately to give enviable and outstanding results, having sacrificed themselves for a course to cause an effect effectively and reflect the purposes of their being as royalty through loyalty to their peoples.
The essence and extent to which he would go in his courses as a leader will be determined by his strength of courage. Weakness is simply the best definition of describing a fool, but a king must never be one. Weakness gives room to distress that could lead one into being depressed; However, it is the ultimate key to giving up too soon. A king must at all times, in all things keep his head up, and be rugged in spirit, for this is the fuel that ignites the power and prowess of all great achievements!
ii. Also, a king must have a Queen! No matter the sensitivity of royalty, the intensity of loyalty, the beautification or decourations of the throne, royalty is incomplete without a worthy (virtuous), and charismatic Queen. Nothing blooms without the awesome wonderful “touches” of the Queen. The Queen suppresses the king’s anger, activates the “kid” in the king at the mid of the “nights”, and activates the “king” in the “kid” in the “day”, thereby helping him to discover or rediscover the hidden treasures of leadership and the “weights” of what lies on his shoulders as blessings and responsibilities. For there is a kid in every king, and in every kid lies a king! The Queen, being virtuous maximizes his effects and helps his devastating helplessness. She cuddles and hides his childish acts or attitudes like a mother; for she is the neck and the beauty of the throne, the “strength” and as well “weak-point” of the king. She gives him courage to move on, likewise strength to keep pushing hard and well! She is a key or password to getting it right or wrong.
Truly, the woman is the “mother” of the king, as she murders his weaknesses to avoid devastating implications; she is the playmate and Queen to the king of the throne. She is the “beauty” of the throne, the distinct satirical image of royalty, the perfect completion of Royalty in regalia, the naturally endowed “socket” where the king connects with the energies of nature in ecstasy and power, and as well eases off his tensions in fact, and in the form of “fats”. The Queen therefore, is the production factory of the king, she maintains constant productivity of the “basics” needed in favour of her soul-mate, The king! She is simply the compliment of his found rib- the maximum effect that powers the essences of his being to “being”!
iii. Furthermore, a king must NEVER FORGET HIS SOURCE. A river that forgets its source will dry up, and would be forgotten in the annals of history! A king must at all times remember his source by acknowledging the Divine Maker, the Master of all Creations, The King of all kings, The One that Makes all things possible, The Only One that does things that no other can undo! The One and Only Source of all that lives. Mere acknowledging and reverencing The Source (God Almighty) enriches the king with more wisdom, knowledge and understanding, including with its applications guide to rule, lead and conquer with utmost confidence and ease that surpasses all mortal comprehension.
iv. Finally, a KING MUST REPRODUCE A BETTER VERSION OF HIMSELF (that is, have a replacement of himself for the continuity of service)!
It is pertinent for every reasonable king to reproduce a better version of themselves so that when he is done fulfilling his own purpose or role on this earthly plane, there is someone agile, ready and equipped enough to handle the mantle of power and as well to take over the throne without being thrown and blown away by the beautiful distractions that comes with royalty. And that is why kings must have “heirs” and “heiresses” who must have been nurtured and prepared for future assignments (as serving hands) in the royal ways and patterns, decourated with crown on his/her head to be king or Queen, to lead and conquer, and not to “ride” and “rule”!
If any king refuses to reproduce a better version of himself, he is without sentiment worthy to be pronounced a failure! A king must so much raise his heir or replacement consciously and cautiously with all that it requires or needed so that his replacement would reign, lead, and yield to the tenets of God Almighty and the expectations or demands of his/her people better than him, because the glory of the latter must be better than the former; he must therefore be an improvement and an upgrade of policies and administrative prowess, so as to impart lives (better) with possibilities- ease, strategy, comfort and gratitude; it is then that the king is rated a successful and fulfilled king, while the absence of a replacement or heir considers him unfulfilled no matter how great he seemed to be and unprepared for the future of his people(s). The Holy Book of life reveals to us in Revelation 5:10 that: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
We must note that: “we” are the kings under the auspices of the King of kings – The Creator of All things and beings! So we must tread with caution and courtesy to Him Who has called us as beings to “being” (reign) for His glory.
News
Impeached Lagos Assembly Speaker Boasts, Says I’m Still in Charge
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
News
FAAN Confirms 38 Injured in United Airlines’ Emergency Landing in Lagos
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that 38 persons, including seven crew members, were injured when a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Lagos on Friday morning.
The Boeing 787-8 flight with 245 passengers was en route to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), in the United States, from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, when it developed problems midair and was forced to return to the airport.
There were also 11 crew members – eight attendants and three pilots – on the plane.
The FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, who confirmed the incident through a statement, said all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
She, however, said four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries.
According to her, 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
The statement read: “The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 11:59pm on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22am on Friday.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3:37am.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the headquarters clinic.”
News
Food for Living: The Insatiable Nature of Man
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There’s no doubt that human beings by nature are insatiable. When we get one opportunity, we always look for another. When we attain one height, we always look for another accomplishment. Isn’t it true that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another.
However, I don’t think it’s selfish for anyone to dare to succeed.
Being ambitious doesn’t make one an opportunist or disloyal. It all depends on one’s perception or outlook to life. It’s just natural for one to dream big. It’s only ugly when the process one chooses to achieve his desires becomes dirty and nasty.
According to a former Nigerian presidential candidate and seasoned Economist, Mr. Peter Obi, “if you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrived in office must be excellent”.
If you desire to be reckoned with on the journey of existence, you must be legitimately hungry for success. One’s hunger for success will facilitate the drive to accomplish great tasks despite daunting obstacles posing as challenges.
When one has this mindset, one will not be bothered by the noise which serves as obstacles and challenges along the way. Negative and weak minds are always concerned on why something won’t work. They tend to focus their energy and reasons on the obstacles facing them. But great and productive minds always focus their energy on the reasons why it will work. This is the spirit of an insatiable mind who is a goal- getter.
It’s instructive to note that we can’t please everyone. According to Bill Cosby, a famous actor, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” Isn’t it true that when you talk, people will still talk about you, when you don’t talk, people will talk about you, so whether you talk or not, people will still judge you, so, do what’s best for you. There’s nothing you can do to please human beings. Your best option is to live your best life.
To understand how the insatiable nature of man works, one must be oneself. You don’t have to “please” anyone. Be yourself, and don’t try to be like anyone just to curry favour. It’s important to note that when you are yourself, the people that matter will come through for you, and the people that don’t matter will gradually find the bearing in another space because those that truly care don’t bother and those that bother don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Life has truly taught me to focus on the important things of life as opposed to the mundane things. It’s truly sad to see people spending more time on the little things of life, and spending little time on the important things of life. That’s just a misplaced priority.
When you are yourself, the best people can do is to copy or imitate your style. They can never imitate your creativity nor can take your originality from you.
We live in a world or society where people don’t generally care or show empathy. Most people tend to live around themselves, their family, and close associates. They generally find it hard to lift a finger to assist others for reasons best known to them. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka once said, “we live in a wicked generation”, re-echoing the voices of a lot of people of the world. Some people in authority just have criminal expertise in amassing wealth of opportunities meant for the citizens without thinking of the citizens they are meant to serve.
It’s worthy of note that not everyone will like you nor support your work, but when you find people who truly care about you; please hold them tight. This is because despite having family members you have shown love and compassion, they might not still appreciate you even if you lay your life for them, they will still find something to say. Again, this is the insatiable nature of man.
It’s okay for everyone not to like you, normalize living your life for God, yourself, family and those that care about you. If everyone likes you, you have a problem.
Did you know that you can get a new family from friends, strangers, and acquaintances? These sets of people might appreciate you more than your own family members. They might not demand or under appreciate you like your family members and close friends or associates. Any little support you give them will be highly appreciated. Their focus is to see you do better.
In conclusion, as you desire to succeed in life, never give in to failure until you have made your last attempt, and never make your last attempt until you succeed. This literally means whatever you desire, dream it, think it, say it, and believe you can achieve it. This principle is generally applicable to relationships, businesses, family, personal and professional development.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com