Metro
Zero to Global Impact: The Power of Purpose
By Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
“At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want” – Lao Tzu
Each of us is born with unique potential, yet only a few fully harness it. The difference between an ordinary life and one of extraordinary global impact often lies in a single discipline: the courage to embark on a journey of self-exploration and the resilience to remain committed to the purpose you discover.
This process of productive introspection is the foundation of greatness. Consider the biblical parable of the prodigal son. His restoration began not when he returned home, nor when he decided to change, but the moment he “came to himself”—when he paused to reflect, look inward, and reconnect with his true identity.
The lesson is timeless: the scale of your external impact is directly proportional to the depth of your internal conquest. As Proverbs 16:32 affirms, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” The most critical journey, therefore, is not geographic but internal. One can traverse the globe and still remain ignorant without ever having journeyed within.
Self-Exploration: The Gateway to Purpose
Self-exploration is more than casual reflection; it is the intentional process of questioning, observing, and discovering your authentic values, strengths, and mission. True empowerment comes not from accumulating passport stamps, but from cultivating inner wisdom.
This principle reveals a deeper truth in the calls for diaspora citizens to return home. While noble, national transformation is not primarily driven by those who have traveled abroad, but by those who have traveled inward. A mind that has explored itself can produce innovations, policies, and enterprises that reshape a nation—whether that person resides in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles.
The prodigal son’s story teaches us that foreign exposure without self-awareness is futile. Meaningful external change only follows internal discovery.
From Dependence to Responsibility
Self-exploration fosters self-reliance. Individuals, communities, and nations that dare to look within break free from dependence on external aid or validation. They learn that real progress begins not when others take responsibility for them, but when they accept responsibility for themselves.
Those who know themselves are not passive dreamers. They do not wait for miracles or external saviors. Instead, they identify, cultivate, and maximize the innate resources within them to create value for society. They are equipped for exploits—trained to meet needs, innovate solutions, and inspire collective action.
The Power of Strategic Solitude
Life’s most profound breakthroughs often occur in seclusion. Valuables are secured in a strong room; corporate strategy is forged in the boardroom; complex surgeries are performed in the operating theater. Similarly, breakthroughs of the human spirit are born in the silent chambers of solitude.
Silence is not merely the absence of noise. It is the practiced art of disengaging from the distractions, desires, and associations that stifle potential. As Isaiah 30:15 teaches, “…in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
Albert Einstein described himself as a “lone traveller,” consciously cultivating distance from distractions to preserve his creative solitude. Basketball legend Michael Jordan saw the court as a sanctuary for meditation—a place where the world’s chaos faded and his inner genius emerged. Thomas Edison reframed his hearing impairment as an advantage, allowing him to focus deeply by shutting out unnecessary noise.
Greatness is rarely accidental. It is most often the product of disciplined silence, purposeful solitude, and sustained inner focus.
Balancing Purpose with Renewal
The pursuit of purpose must not come at the cost of burnout. Even the most gifted leaders, innovators, and prophets recognized the non-negotiable need for rest.
Jesus Christ frequently withdrew from the crowds to pray and recharge. Following creation, God Himself rested. Modern leaders like Dr. Robert Schuller understood this, crediting his wife with helping him schedule deliberate breaks to avoid exhaustion.
If divinity models rest, humanity must not neglect it. Energy, not just time, must be managed wisely. A purposeful life requires rhythmic cycles of exertion and renewal.
The Discipline of Decisive Action
Purpose is never fulfilled by intention alone. It is realized through decisions, discipline, and persistence. Ideas must be acted upon, not endlessly postponed. Many people fail not for a lack of opportunity, but because they procrastinate or abandon their vision at the first sign of resistance.
High achievers are distinguished by one critical habit: they make bold decisions early, commit to them resolutely, and adapt as needed. Success comes not from waiting until you feel ready, but from acting with conviction and adhering to your purpose until results materialize.
The Path to Global Impact
Your life is the sum of your past decisions and present choices. Moving from “zero to global impact” is not a matter of luck; it is the outcome of a conscious practice:
· Affirm your inherent worth and capacity. You are endowed with unique, God-given abilities that demand expression.
· Remain Alert to the opportunities around you. Miracles often wear the disguise of ordinary moments.
· Applaud your progress, no matter how small. Celebrating victories sustains momentum.
The author of this piece once struggled to write the simple letter ‘g.’ Through perseverance, faith, and encouragement, that same individual graduated as the top student in his department. This personal journey from struggle to success is a testament to the power of affirmation, faith, and persistent action.
As Dr. Robert Schuller said, “When you are inspired with a dream, God has hit the ball into your court. Now you have to hit it back with commitment.” Purpose without commitment is potential wasted. But when you combine self-discovery, strategic solitude, disciplined action, and unwavering focus, you activate the hero within—positioning yourself for genuine global impact.
Conclusion
You were created with immense potential, equipped with unique treasures the world needs. Do not squander them through distraction, procrastination, or self-doubt. Learn to explore yourself, define your purpose, embrace restorative solitude, guard your energy, and stay committed to your decisions.
In doing so, you will move from potential to action, from local relevance to global significance—becoming not just a success story, but a solution to the challenges of your generation.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a Recipient of the Nigerian Role Models Award (2024), and a Distinguished Ambassador For World Peace (AMBP-UN).
The Cotps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has expressed deep concern over to a viral video circulating on social media showing an altercation between some FRSC officers and a driver along Abudu, Edo State, Nigeria, on Saturday, 25th October, 2025. and has ordered an immediate investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
Corps Marshal Mohammed emphasized, in a statement made available to National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), that the Corps does not condone any form of unprofessional conduct or behavior that undermines the integrity and discipline for which the FRSC is known. He further assured members of the public that appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against any officer found culpable, in line with the Corps’ operational guidelines and public service rules.
He also appealed to the motoring public to remain calm and continue to show cooperation and respect towards FRSC personnel, who are committed to ensuring safer roads and protecting lives across the nation.
While the FRSC remains steadfast in its mission to promote road safety, maintain order, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in service delivery, the Corps marshal will also not tolerate any form of assault or violence against its personnel from members of the public in the course of duty.
By Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
“True leadership is not the exercise of one’s own power, but the stewardship of a power that is divinely bestowed. We do not conquer by our own hand, but through a grace that guides it. I therefore pause to say thank You, God Almighty: My Source, My Owner, My Helper, and My All in all” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
In the grand theater of human endeavor—from the halls of global corporations to the quiet labs of research scientists, from the strategic command centers of nations to the intimate classrooms shaping young minds—we are conditioned to celebrate the visible. We laud the innovative strategy, the decisive action, the brilliant intellect, and the relentless work ethic. These are the pillars upon which we believe success is built.
Yet, this focus on the tangible is to admire the grand facade of a cathedral while remaining oblivious to its unseen foundation. Today, we must pause to acknowledge the bedrock upon which all human achievement truly rests: the sovereign and sufficient grace of God Almighty. It is a profound and humbling truth that cuts across every culture, sector, and stratum of society: We lead, innovate, heal, govern, and ultimately conquer, not primarily because of our own merit, but because of the divine grace that empowers our efforts and crowns them with favor.
- The Universal Law of Received Power
The principle of grace dismantles the modern myth of the “self-made” leader. In physics, no system creates its own energy; it merely transforms energy from an external source. So it is with human achievement. Our skills, our intelligence, and even our very breath are not self-generated; they are gifts bestowed.
- In Business and Innovation: A CEO may possess sharp acumen, but it is grace that orchestrates a chance meeting with a pivotal partner, sparks a moment of breakthrough innovation when logic has failed, and grants the wisdom to navigate an unforeseen market collapse. The idea that became a billion-dollar company did not emerge from a vacuum; it was a spark of insight granted to a prepared mind—a mind that itself was a gift.
- In Science and Medicine: A researcher dedicates decades to a problem, yet the final, elegant solution often appears as a flash of intuition—a “Eureka!” moment that feels less like a construction and more like a revelation. The healing of a patient, despite the most advanced protocols, often involves an inexplicable, supernatural turn toward recovery that humbles the most brilliant physicians. This is grace in the laboratory and the clinic.
- In Governance and Nation-Building: A political leader may craft a perfect policy, but its success depends on a thousand uncontrollable variables: the public’s reception, global economic tides, and the collective will of a people. When a nation avoids a crisis or emerges from disaster with renewed unity, it is not merely a political victory; it is a national testament to divine providence and restraining grace.
Our role is to diligently till the soil and sow the seeds. But the germination, the growth, and the harvest are miracles of grace. To claim otherwise is like a farmer boasting that he created the rain and the sun.
- Grace as the Antidote to Leadership’s Twin Poisons
Understanding this universal law is the most powerful strategic and psychological advantage a leader can possess. It serves as the definitive antidote to the two toxins that corrupt leadership: pride and despair.
- It Eradicates Destructive Pride: When success is internalized as a personal creation, it breeds an arrogance that isolates a leader. They begin to believe their own press, seeing subordinates as instruments and competitors as enemies. This pride inevitably leads to a fall. Conversely, the leader who sees success as a stewardship of God’s grace remains humble. They lead with a sense of awe and responsibility, knowing they are managing assets they did not create. This humility fosters collaboration, attracts loyalty, and enables course correction.
- It Prevents Paralyzing Despair: The weight of leadership can be crushing. Failure, criticism, and unforeseen crises can lead to burnout and cynicism. If a leader believes they are the sole author of success, then they must also be the sole bearer of failure. But when a leader is anchored in grace, setbacks are re-framed. They are not definitive indictments of their ability, but rather part of a larger, divine curriculum. This perspective fosters resilience, allowing a leader to get up after a fall, learn the lesson, and continue with renewed hope, trusting that the same grace that opened past doors can redeem present failures.
III. The Evidence of Grace in the Tapestry of Life
This is not abstract theology; it is observable reality. Let us trace the fingerprints of grace across the facets of our collective experience:
- The Wisdom We Claim: That moment of perfect clarity in a tense negotiation or a complex coding problem—was it not a gift that arrived precisely when needed? That was the grace of divine insight.
- The Doors That Opened: Consider the promotion that came from a departing superior you didn’t orchestrate, the investor who believed in your vision against conventional wisdom, the visa that was granted against all odds. These are not coincidences; they are the grace of divine favor.
- The Strength We Found: In our moments of profound exhaustion, grieving a loss, or facing immense pressure, did we not discover a well of fortitude we did not know we possessed? That was the grace of divine sustenance.
- The People We Encounter: The mentor who guided us, the team member whose unique talent complemented our weakness, the spouse who offered unwavering support—these individuals are not random occurrences. They are living, breathing manifestations of God’s grace in our lives.
- The Restraint We Experienced: The catastrophic mistake we were unknowingly prevented from making, the harsh word we were restrained from speaking, the disastrous partnership we were diverted from—these are evidences of a protective grace, operating silently behind the scenes.
- Cultivating a Posture of Grateful Stewardship
Therefore, the most critical leadership competency is not strategic planning or financial modeling, as vital as those are. It is the cultivation of a heart of gratitude. This is the lens that brings all of life into focus.
A leader grounded in this truth leads not as an owner, but as a steward. They understand that their organization, their nation, their talents, and their platform are on loan from a higher authority. This transforms their entire approach:
- Decision-Making: They seek wisdom beyond their own, praying for guidance and listening for the divine “nudge.”
- Resource Allocation: They manage people and capital with justice and generosity, knowing they are handling resources that belong to God.
- Legacy Building: Their goal shifts from building a personal monument to fulfilling a divine purpose, leaving a legacy that benefits humanity and glorifies the Giver.
Conclusion: The Conduit of Conquest
Let us then move forward with a renewed paradigm. Let us work with impeccable excellence, as if everything depends on us. But let us pray, trust, and give thanks, knowing that everything ultimately depends on Him.
Our skills are the conduit; His grace is the current. Our plans are the vessel; His providence is the ocean.
We are the conduits of effort, but grace is the current of conquest. To mistake the one for the other is the height of leadership folly.
The most dangerous leader is the one who believes they are the architect of their success. The wisest is the one who knows they are merely a steward, building upon a foundation laid by grace.
Our skill prepares the vessel, but only grace can fill it. Lead accordingly.
I pause to say thank You, To God Almighty—the unseen Architect of our triumphs, the silent Partner in our ventures, and the ultimate Source of every victory across every facet of life—we ascribe all wisdom, power, and glory. For it is by His grace that we are positioned, it is by His might that we persevere, and it is for His purpose that we ultimately conquer.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a Recipient of the Nigerian Role Models Award (2024), and a Distinguished Ambassador For World Peace (AMBP-UN). He has also gained inclusion in the prestigious compendium, “Nigeria @65: Leaders of Distinction”.
Globacom, last weekend, drove home its strong position as Nigeria’s biggest supporter of culture as it registered another superlative showing at this year’s edition of Ofala Festival.
Held at the Ime Obi, Onitsha, this year’s festival featured the Iru Ofala on Friday and the Azu Ofala on Saturday. The two are the major ceremonies that make up the grand Ofala Festival, a time-honoured tradition of the people of Onitsha.
The Iru Ofala was Obi’s first public appearance after spending weeks in spiritual retreat and communion with the ancestors, in propitiation for the good of the land.
The Imperial Majesty’s appearance in his rich traditional attire and dance around the Ime Obi was significant and symbolic of his readiness to lead his people into a new year of prosperity. The Obi later sat resplendent as chiefs, titled men, and subjects paid homage to their king. Other top public figures also paid homage to the Obi at the event. They included the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, and several others.
The Obi lauded Globacom for its strong support for the Festival over the last 14 years. “We thank them for believing in us, and I trust that the mutual benefit that we all derive from the festival will continue to prevail,” the royal father said.
The Azu Ofala, which was the grand finale of the festival, was a time of thanksgiving, joy, and community festivity. The Obi again graced the occasion in a lighter, festive mood, as he received goodwill messages from dignitaries and visitors, including Globacom, the official sponsor of the festival.
Globacom made this year’s edition of the festival more exciting than ever by presenting prizes to various winners in the Ofala promo, which was specifically introduced for the people of Onitsha. The promo ran for four weeks before the Ofala festival and the eventual winners were presented with various prizes, including a brand new Kia Picanto, two tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, grinding machines and so much more.
The Kia car was won by Chidinma Esther Obi, a businesswoman in 33 area of Onitsha. An elated Obi, who must have been dreaming before the prize presentation came to life once she received the keys to the car from Onitsha royal chief, Chief Albert Ibekwe, the Odu Osodi, and Globacom’s representative at the event, Tochukwu Okechukwu.
For Tricycles, known widely as Keke, the duo of Ibeziakor Onyebuchi Anthony and Ejike Chiememma Gloria emerged winners. Several other winners of power Generating Sets and Grinding Machines also smiled home with their prizes.
