Opinion:True Success lies more on the journey rather than the destination

Published

7 years ago

April 14, 2019

Editor

By Henry Ukazu

Greetings my good friends,

It’s a great pleasure to be here once again. Please pardon my inability for not

been able to write last week. I know some of you might be a little bit

disappointed, honestly, it was due to circumstances beyond my control. I

received so many several calls, emails and messages. I promise to do better

next time. In whatever in life, I always look at the end in mind, in that way I

will be properly guided on where my aim and vision in life lies. This is the

more reason why I take my time in writing every week even when I am

stressed up because I am addicted to sharing motivational and inspiring

articles. As you all may know success in life has to do more with the journey

rather than the destination.

Today, I chose to write on the relativity of journey and destination as

facilitators of success. Just like any other aspect of life, life is indeed a

process. You may heard of the saying success is more of a journey, rather than

destination. Some other rational minds opine that the end justifies the means.

These assertions are relatively true, however, it all depends on the angle you

are looking at it from. We shall be comparing on both factors today but we

shall be concentrating more energy on the process (journey).

It is an indisputable fact that in life the journey of a thousand miles begins

with a step in the right direction. It is also a fact that little drops of water

makes an ocean. Just like a leader needs a team to achieve success, same way

success needs to be processed in order for it to be truly justified. With my little

knowledge and understanding of mathematics, the process of arriving at the

answer via the formula generates more point more that the actual answer

itself. True success doesn’t work in isolation. It works in harmony and unison

with other component parts and characteristics which I call siblings and

friends.

As human beings, sometimes we seem to neglect how far we have come in life.

We are always eager to see what we lack as opposed to appreciating what we

have. Human beings by nature can be ungrateful. The same analogy is

applicable to the journey of success. Let’s take the example of an accomplished

author who is now a bestseller. The journey to the top wasn’t easy. He/she had

mentors who inspired him/her to write the book, publishers, family members,

friends and associates who contributed in one way or the other to the work a

great success. To me, they are the real MVP’s as far as I am concerned. They

are the people who deserve the main accolades and should be appreciated, but

sometimes some irrational beings tend to forget those people who contracted

to their success. Also, if a student excels in life to an enviable position in the

world (President, CEO, Governor) etc. It will be nice for such person to

remember his/her teacher who groomed him/her. It is on this context we shall

be discussing about journey and destination to success.

It is interest to note that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay literally went

where no other human had been when they became the first people to reach

the peak of Mount Everest. Can you imagine what they must have felt? Pride,

accomplishment, fulfillment. Question, did they achieve it alone? No, I guess.

Think about the most important achievement in your life. Remember that

feeling when you finally reached the summit of your academic career, political

ambition, financial status and professional career. If you will agree with me,

you didn’t do it alone, there were people behind it and it was truly a journey

and process.

Last week I was listening to Joyce Meyers – a charismatic preacher. She was

speaking on everyday life. In that message, she said true success lies in the

little deeds and things you do daily as opposed to one major task you do.

According to her you need to do small task nor matter how little it is in your

daily routine which will add up to the goal you have in mind.

To understand how the journey of success really works, imagine yourself being

a man or lady who needs a particular shape, it is expected that you’ll hit the

gym at least three times a week and do some work out. You’ll follow up the

also the process with a good hygiene. In fact, I personally feel the highest gym

is in your kitchen. Let’s face it, it’s common to feel resistance when

undertaking a new exercise habit. This is because there are several steps

required. You have to pack your gym bag, travel to the gym, change into your

workout clothes, warm up, exercise, warm down, shower, and change back

into your normal clothes before traveling back home. This is the attitude and

mindset which a rational mind desirous of making an impact should have. It

is the process that denes the destination. Isn’t it true that you

can easily spot a dedicated and discipline student or athletic. who is doing

what he or she needs to be do in order to succeed in life? It’s always important

to take note of the journey or inventory of all stocks.

It is quite unfortunate that many people regard the destination more than the

journey. In as much I agree that the outcome/ nished product
is very important, it is worthy to mention the sacrice,

challenges, failures, people and the experience that came it

with it.

Let’s discuss some worthy points that will assist us in appreciating the role of

process and journey to our dream destination.

Get specic

Having the end in mind is very important. Being specific helps your overall

goal and road map in order to get to your destination. When you are specific,

you will know what to focus on. One quality of every great man or woman is

that they are very focused and specific in whatever they plan to achieve.

Employers’ are always looking for specific beings to solve specific problems.

The more specific you are, the easier it is for people to assist or work with you.

Break it down and start small

If you have a goal to accomplish, it is always better to start small and grown.

You can do this by breaking it down and taking it bit and bits. Try to do little

things every day nor matter how little and stressful, it gives some level of

satisfaction. Breaking the journey in pieces helps you to appreciate the

journey.

Celebrate the progress and enjoy the journey

When it’s not all about the goal, you can take it all in (and take what

you’ve learned with you).

When you have a big goal, it’s tempting to think you haven’t succeeded until

you’ve achieved it. Otherwise, you might think you have failed forgetting that

the set backs propels you to appreciate the progress and accomplishments that

awaits you. According to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, professor of Business

Psychology at University College London, he observed that small milestones

are powerful for seeing a change in the positive direction, noting that “the

point is not to get better than others, it’s to get better than the old version of

yourself.” Keep track of what you’ve accomplished with a done list,

which is a log of the tasks you’ve completed. Seeing your progress

boosts motivation, heightens positive emotions, and sustains your

productivity. A Harvard study found that we spend almost 50 percent of our

time thinking about the past and future, instead of focusing on the present,

which leads to increased unhappiness

Reect daily

Actively thinking and reflecting about your business, idea, product, academic

major etc. Reflecting daily can help you plan very well. As a rule of thumb, it’s
always helpful to set a sizable amount of time during the day to reflect on the

activities of the day before you sleep and also spending at least fifteen minutes

of the day to mediate and think when you wake up every morning. By so doing

you can motivate and inspire yourself when you think the lines are not adding

up. You can do this by asking yourself “What is one step I can take today to get

closer to my goal?” “What did I learn today?” You can also check in on a

weekly or monthly basis to assess what you’ve gotten out of your journey thus

far.

Whenever you are tempted to give up in life, always remember the words of

Brian Tracy, “It doesn’t matter where you are coming from, all that maters is

where you are going. The past is in the past for a reason, the present is here for

a reason which is a gift to work with for tomorrow which is not guaranteed.

In conclusion, always bear in mind “Success is never final. Failure is never

fatal. In the end it’s the courage to continue that counts.”

Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with New York

City Department of Correction as the legal Coordinator. He’s

the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny –

Actualizing Your Birthright To Success.

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Dominican University Hails Peter Obi on 65th Birthday

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

Eric

The Dominican University, Ibadan, has paid glowing tribute to its Pro-Chancellor and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, on his 65th birthday, describing him as a visionary leader whose commitment to education, youth development and national progress continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.

In a goodwill message issued on Sunday, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Jacinta Opara, lauded Obi’s enduring passion for quality education, noting that his consistent investments in human capital and advocacy for educational excellence have strengthened institutions and offered hope to young people across the country.

According to Opara, Obi has, through his public service and private engagements, remained a steadfast champion of education, making it a cornerstone of his vision for national development.

She said his words, actions and unwavering support for learning had reinforced the conviction that education remains the most effective instrument for building a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable society.

The university also expressed appreciation for Obi’s contributions to the institution as Pro-Chancellor, describing his leadership, generosity and guidance as instrumental to its growth and development.

The statement noted that under his stewardship, Dominican University has continued to pursue academic excellence while remaining committed to its mission of producing morally upright and globally competitive graduates.

It read in part: “As a university founded a decade ago on the rich 800-year educational heritage of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), we remain profoundly grateful for your visionary leadership, generous support and invaluable contributions as our Pro-Chancellor.”

The institution joined family members, associates and well-wishers in celebrating Obi’s milestone, praying for continued good health, wisdom, strength and divine guidance as he continues to advocate good governance, human dignity, hope and national development.

The message, signed by the Vice-Chancellor, reaffirmed the university’s pride in its association with Obi, whose dedication to education, integrity and selfless service, it said, continues to leave a lasting impact on the nation and inspire future generations.

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Ooni of Ife Loses Elder Brother Prince Adetunji

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

Eric

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has announced the passing of his immediate elder brother, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi.

The monarch made the announcement in a statement released on Sunday through the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal.

Describing the late prince as a respected businessman and compassionate leader, the Ooni said Prince Adetunji lived a life dedicated to service, humility and the wellbeing of others.

According to the statement, the death of Prince Adetunji has left a deep void in the Ogunwusi family, the Ojaja Royal Dynasty and the entire Ile-Ife Kingdom.

Prince Adetunji, who was born on December 8, 1967, was a member of the Ojaja lineage of the Giesi Ruling House in Ile-Ife. He was also the Group Chairman of Primewaterview Holdings, where he earned recognition for his contributions to business development and entrepreneurship.

The Ooni noted that his late brother built a reputation as an innovative entrepreneur and visionary leader. Through his business activities, he created opportunities for many people and contributed to economic growth in different sectors.

The monarch further stated that beyond his achievements in business, Prince Adetunji was known for his generosity, kindness and commitment to humanitarian causes. He was said to have quietly supported many individuals and families, offering assistance, guidance and encouragement whenever needed.

The statement added that Prince Adetunji’s influence extended beyond the corporate world, as he remained deeply connected to his roots and maintained a strong interest in the progress and development of Ile-Ife and its people.

The Ooni described his late brother as a dependable adviser, a loving family member and a man whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Family members, friends, associates and well wishers have continued to pay tribute to the late prince, remembering him for his humility, wisdom and positive impact on society.

The palace said further details regarding funeral arrangements and other ceremonies would be announced by the family in due course.

Prince Adetunji’s death marks a significant loss to the royal family and the people of Ile-Ife, who will remember him for his service, leadership and dedication to humanity.

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Harakati Za Holds Pan-African Conference on Economic Restructuring, Political Reforms, Regional Integration in Accra

Published

2 days ago

July 19, 2026

Eric

More than 200 delegates from across Africa are expected to converge in Accra on July 24, 2026, for an international conference on “Economic Restructuring, Political Reforms and Integration for Sustainable Development in Africa.”

The conference, organised by Harakati Za Muungano, will take place at the GNAT Hall and will bring together policymakers, academics, business leaders, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, youth leaders and development partners to explore practical solutions for accelerating Africa’s development through deeper regional integration.

Harakati Za Muungano, a Swahili phrase meaning “Union Movement,” is a pan-African movement committed to promoting African unity, economic transformation and governance reforms that support sustainable development.

The organisation believes that Africa’s vast human and natural resources can only be fully harnessed through stronger regional cooperation, enhanced intra-African trade and governance systems that place the continent’s long-term development at the centre of public policy.

Since its establishment in November 2023, the movement has expanded its operations to 17 African countries, engaging governments, regional institutions, traditional leaders, professionals, youth groups and community organisations.

Its work focuses on policy advocacy, research, civic engagement and humanitarian initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive development, strengthening regional cooperation and encouraging reforms that improve the quality of life of Africans.

The conference will provide a platform for participants to deliberate on critical issues affecting the continent, including constitutional reforms, economic restructuring, regional market integration, industrialisation, governance continuity and sustainable financing models for development.

Organisers expect the discussions to produce practical recommendations that can inform policy decisions at both national and regional levels.

A major focus of the conference will be the movement’s vision of a more integrated Sub-Saharan Africa where barriers to trade and movement are reduced, economic collaboration is strengthened and governments adopt policies that encourage long-term planning, investment and shared prosperity.

The organisation believes that greater integration will unlock new opportunities for businesses, create jobs, promote industrial growth and enhance Africa’s global competitiveness.

Organisers say the conference represents an important opportunity for African leaders and stakeholders to collectively examine bold and innovative approaches to the continent’s future.

With over 200 delegates expected from across the continent, the event is anticipated to foster meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships and advance a shared vision of an economically resilient, politically stable and fully integrated Africa.

-Overseeronline.com