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The Painted Canvases: ‘Zero’ As a Nation!
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“It takes rising up to the call(s) of destiny for any group or individuals of any nation or community(s) to reach the destination of their quality state! You cannot change the world that you live in until you change yourself from within! You can get up, yes! You must get up! Be inspired! Be responsible!” Tolulope A. Adegoke
We’ll be painting Japan in 1945, after the Second World War, as an image of a Zero on a detailed canvas, but her narrative doesn’t finish there. The Second World War began in 1935 and concluded in 1945 as a consequence of the United States of America’s political and military engagement, which officially embraced the doctrine of isolationism. Her role before the war was purely economic, allowing her to accumulate financial muscle for herself in order to establish what was required for her worldwide reputation. During the war, Germany, Italy, and Japan sought to establish a “tripartite strategy” in order to gain hegemony over all countries on the planet. Germany, under Adolf Hitler, desired total control of Europe; Italy, under Benito Mussolini, desired total control of Africa; and Japan, under Emperor Hirohito, desired total control of Asia. However, Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy were eventually defeated, while Japan was ordered to step down in order to end the war, but she remained adamant (stiff-necked); the United States of America saw this as a threat to their global intentions because Britain and France had been weakened by the war. As a result, by unleashing the “Weapon of Mass Destruction” on Japan, America assumed the burden of joining in the Second World War both politically and militarily. Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan’s two main economic centers, were completely devastated, resulting in the loss of countless lives and assets. The impact of the United States of America’s bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the Japanese continues to this day to demonstrate the breadth of the devastation of once popular and lush territory into deserts (Zero).
At the anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in the early 2000s, Japan’s Prime Minister said, “If they gave Japan enough time to move her people, they could bomb Japan any way they wanted, and even if they put Japan in the desert, they would rebuild Japan to the world’s second-largest economy in a short time.”
Japan is an example of a country that does not have enough steel to create bonnets, enough silicon to produce side mirrors, or enough rubber to produce steering wheels, but is the world’s largest exporter of automobiles. Where am I going with this? Japan came from zero to be responsible, despite the difficulties and pains of ascending the ladder of becoming a worldwide hero among countries of the globe, against all chances of being smashed to zero. Every zero, if diligently worked on, has the ability to bounce back. The riches of every country, therefore, will be discovered in-between its people’s “ears,” i.e., the contents of their brain and character of their being (applicability capability)!
Life is the irrefutable, mysterious (powerful) gift given to man by God, containing a plethora of hidden secrets…
It is up to us (man) to maximize its use, but only man’s actions poison it! There is always a reason to do something and a reason not to do it. This is known as an “excuse.” It is God’s responsibility to deposit riches and treasures in the shape of skills, potentials, or gifts into our earthen vessels, but it is up to us as people to dig very deeply with real light for their revealing, utilization, and maximization for our own benefit for His (God Almighty) glory.
Nigeria as a country fits into the above-mentioned framework in order to re-orient her leadership and followership, particularly the youth, via this evident truth in the ultimate reality of being and living. It is important to emphasize unequivocally that Nigeria’s wealth is not in the Niger-Delta (South-South region), nor is it anyplace in the ground, nor is oil our riches, nor is it any of the natural resources that we have around us, but it is the people that you can see around you, exactly where you are… We are Nigeria’s riches because we have the elegance, splendour, and capability to harness and use those mineral resources, as well as one another, to satisfy the Creator’s certain requirements! The so-called natural resources that we so desperately seek beneath the earth are not the “actual resources,” but the untapped “divin-istic wealth” of those who died before their time with their riches in them…These people did not perish in vain! A functional resource (s) is the quality treasure (s) encoded in a living, physically sized being known as “man”, positioned in-between his two ears (his brain)! These assets that God bestowed upon him are limitless since he was formed for special objectives of addressing requirements and providing potential (beyond the norm) for people, corporations, and nations. The human brain is a perplexing (yet powerful) biological system that allows us to link our hearts to the supernatural. We must thus be resolute and prepared to die empty by depleting the resources that God Almighty has placed inside us for the glory of God Almighty and the development of people and the environment.
When a man prays to God for money, God showers him with thoughts that will change his destiny, then connects him with other individuals who were made to chart causes that are earthly or supernaturally connected to the fulfillment of the intended purposes of these ideas. These folks are known as “destiny’s assistants!”
The more we ask God for answers, the more God sends another man in the shape of new-borns who carry divine solutions through divine order or inspires, discloses, and illuminates another adult man with the appropriate and needed ability to fulfill the solution in an active and visible manifestation! The more a man fails as a result of earthly distractions or causes, the more He sends another man to replace him and carry out His ideal intentions. God is never taken aback by man’s flaws or gaps. He always has backup plans in place to complete the delivery mission(s).
We strive to maintain the mindset that “we are the wealth of our generation(s), situated in specific geographical locations for the divine purpose(s) of performing a divine mandate all to the glory of God and for the relief of humanity from grieves, agonies, and pains.” Your nation(s) depends on your endowments to thrive; without you, there will always be gaps in that specific area of your calling(s) due to your unwillingness to surrender to it! I now charge you to rise to your divine calling(s). Only then do you have a chance to become a LEGEND (hero)! You, can take charge (control) of your talents only if you can imagine them. Do not become a zero! ” It is a man’s talents that will pave the road for him… he will stand before monarchs (kings), not mere (ordinary) men! This is an undeniable fact: without your constructive contributions, your country would stay at zero! To achieve the goal of their quality state, any group or person from any country or community must answer the call(s) of destiny! You cannot change the environment in which you live unless you first change yourself.
You can get up, yes!
You need to rise up!
Be inspired!
Take responsibility!
Learn and Apply. Thank you!
Watch out for the Book titled: “The Power of an Empowered Zero” (From Zero to HERO) by Tolulope A. Adegoke. Foreword by Dr Yomi Garnett (CEO/Chancellor, Royal Biographical Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.S.A., U.K., Abuja, Nigeria.) Edited by Ola Aboderin.
The Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has declared one Iroegbu Alexandra Chisom aka Biggy or Omoba Salvage wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and murder, according to a Wanted Notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, Yaba, and made available to National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The notice informed that the Warrant of Arrest was issued against the suspect by the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Iirogbu, 30, is wanted for stabbing one Mr. Olusanya to death with a jackknife at Pearl Service Apartment, Lekki, Ajah, Lagos State.
Iroegbu Alexandra Chisom, according to the notice, “is Igbo by tribe, aged 30, Height 1.82, Heavily Built, oval face, long broad nose, large mouth, thick lips, good teeth, white and black eyes, dark in complexion, round chin, thick hair, large head, high forehead, deformities limping in one of the legs, very vocal in habit, normal youth dress.
“His last known address is 23 Road X Close Block 1 Flat 3 Area 1, FESTAC Town, Lagos State, Nigeria.”
“If seen, arrest and hand over to the nearest Police Station or to the Lagos State CID, Panti Lagos.’
The FRSC Lagos Sector Command’s Spokesperson, SRC Oluwadamilola Jayeola has extended hearty congratulatory messages to the duo of DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi and Superintendent Route Commander AD Odunsi-Oyewole, on their various appointments as the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Police Command, and Public Education Officer of the FRSC Ogun Sector Command respectively.
SRC Jayeola described both appointments as well-deserved, noting that the duo bring to their new responsibilities proven professionalism, depth of experience, and strong commitment to public service.
She emphasized that effective public communication remains critical to public safety, security awareness, and trust-building, particularly in a strategic state like Ogun, which serves as a major transit corridor between Lagos and other parts of the country.
SRC Jayeola expressed confidence that the synergy between the FRSC Ogun Sector Command and the Ogun State Police Command, through their Public Relations and Public Education Officers, will further strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve information management, and enhance public enlightenment on road safety and security matters across the state.
She assured both officers of her full support and readiness to sustain a cordial and productive working relationship, stressing that cooperation, information sharing, and mutual support among sister agencies remain vital to achieving safer roads and a more secure society.
SRC Jayeola wished Superintendent Route Commander AD Odunsi-Oyewole and DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi a successful tenure, marked by impact, professionalism, and excellent service delivery to the people of Ogun State.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has argued that no court restrained it from enforcing the tinted glass permit regulation, maintaining that the directive remains valid until a competent judicial pronouncement rules otherwise.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the clarification while addressing journalists during the presentation of criminal suspects arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team.
He stated that the police would continue enforcement of the tinted glass permit order, stressing that there had been no judicial directive halting the exercise.
Hundeyin explained that criminal groups had exploited previous pauses in enforcement to commit violent crimes, including kidnapping and armed attacks.
He cited a recent incident in Edo State where a Lexus SUV with tinted windows allegedly refused to stop at a checkpoint, leading to a pursuit during which its occupants opened fire on officers, killing a police inspector and injuring others.
He further clarified that the earlier suspension of enforcement announced by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had been misinterpreted by sections of the public and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“The Inspector-General of Police, out of respect and understanding, temporarily suspended enforcement to give Nigerians additional time to regularise their tinted glass permits.
That decision was not based on any court order but was a discretionary move to accommodate public concerns,” Hundeyin said.
Acknowledging that the matter is before the courts, Hundeyin noted that the legal process has been slow. He stressed that, pending any contrary ruling, the police would continue enforcement.
“The position remains that enforcement continues until a court directs otherwise. At no point did any court restrain the Nigeria Police Force or the Inspector-General of Police from implementing the tinted glass permit order,” he added.
Responding to reports that the NBA may initiate contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General over the renewed enforcement, Hundeyin said the police legal department would address any action if it arises.
He reiterated that enforcement of the tinted glass permit was necessary for public safety, particularly in curbing crimes committed with vehicles whose occupants are concealed.
The police position comes amid growing debate between the Force and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which has argued that the policy is unconstitutional and currently subject to litigation.
