Opinion

Opinion: Desire For Success by Henry Ukazu

Published

6 years ago

July 13, 2019

Eric

Greetings Friends,

The desire of every living being on earth is to be successful? If I may ask; what do you stand to gain if you are not successful? If you are not “successful” in life, you may live at the mercy of others. As human beings, one of our primary aims in life is to be successful. This is because once you are successful, you will attract opportunities. Isn’t it true that success attracts many fathers while failure is an orphan? Success in itself is not easy, you must desire it. Success is like money which if you don’t desire, you won’t get it.

What does it mean for a person to be successful? In my humble opinion, being successful means achieving your desired visions and planned goals. During the course of this article, we shall be discussing how we can desire success while attracting it. In one of the articles I wrote a few years ago entitled The Relativity of Success, I shared valuable information on what success means to different people. For example, Mr. A’s definition of success is different from Mr. B’s definition of success. This is because what Mr. A likes may differ from what Mr. B likes. This is why most people engage in difference businesses, disciplines and careers in life. They do this because they have figured out who they are, their interest and how they want to be remembered.

Amidst all this, one outstanding difference among all successful people is that they made conscious decision and choice to achieve success. They didn’t just wake up and became successful. No, they put in the work while desiring a positive result.

Everyone has a desire to be successful. However, with most people, the focus generally tends towards career success. Personal life success is also important. For you to be successful, you must plan and work towards it. For example, all successful people had a burning desire that made them wake up every morning and pursue their dreams.

If you are asked, what do you desire most in life, what will be your response? Money, title, children, academic qualification, etc. In order for you to desire and achieve success, you must be passionate about a particular area of life.

How we can desire and achieve success:

1. Find your passion and purpose: This is the starting point of all interest and desire in life. This is where your imagination and subconscious mindset come in. Whatever you want to do in life, starts with a thought. Whether you are a student, businessman/woman, career professional, artisan, politician or even comedian; you must desire to get to the pinnacle of your career. Let me share a hidden secret with you; just like you can’t serve two masters at the same time and give them apt attention, the same way you can’t have passion for two areas of life and expect to get the same result. Once you distinguish yourself from an area of life, you will have the leverage to engage in another industry. Just like having streams of income, one of the income may serve as door opener which brings other business opportunities to you. Hence, as a matter of advice, always spend a considerable amount of time on your passion and then spend a little bit of time managing other areas of interest.

2. Set your Goals: Once you discover your passion, the next target is to set your goals and work towards achieving it. Goals are very important in life. You can do this by seeking knowledge as opposed to results. The results will gradually come down when people see how knowledgeable you are. Your goals help to discipline you by making you focus on your set objectives. Once your goals are properly set, don’t just look for money immediately, your primary aim should be to provide values and services by solving problems to your targeted audience. Once you do, gradually, resources will begin to come your way. Your goals help you to stay committed in addition to being motivated. Once you are committed to a task, it is easy for people to identify and support you.

3. Surround Yourself with Positive People: You may have heard of the saying, if you are the smartest person in the room, leave the room and if ten of your friends are millionaires, you are next in life. What this literally means is that your network determines your net worth. Good friends help to inspire you with empowering information and mentorship. Once you have a good team you are working with, there’s high probability you will be successful. Isn’t it true that if you want to go fast in life, go alone, but if you want to go far, go with a team?

4. Create a study/strategic plan: This is by far one of the most resourceful ways of achieving success. If you are serious about your plan, you must be strategic about providing new ideas on how to leverage the market. Some of the ways you can achieve this are by learning new skills necessary for business, networking with the right people/associations/organizations; and being educated.

If you have a burning interest in something or a burning desire to do something, you will make out time to do it. Everybody is busy in life, but we only make out time for what we desire/want to do and then make an excuse for what we don’t want to do.

In conclusion, do you desire for success? If yes, what are you doing to achieve it?

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.

Opinion

Dele Momodu: Charismatic Gentleman @65

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2025

Eric

By Yemi Edun

Aare Dele Momodu is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable names, voices, and personalities to emerge from the world’s most populous Black nation Nigeria.

Anyone who has travelled with Bob Dee would understand the magnetic presence he carries from Atlanta Georgia, Accra to Nairobi, down to Central London. He receives nods of admiration, requests for photos, and warm pats on the back wherever he goes. A true cultural ambassador, effortlessly at ease in rich native attire, which his commanding presence makes look truly majestic, he wears native outfits like royalty.

He is a consummate storyteller, an indefatigable workhorse, and one of the most selfless and hospitable people I know. His generosity is legendary. Mention Dele Momodu at any Marriott Hotel in East Africa, and you can expect the red carpet to be rolled out.

I was stunned at Kotoka International Airport as immigration and customs officials broke into chants of “Ovation! Ovation!” while we walked through, it was surreal but perfectly fitting for a man so deeply respected.

Bob Dee is at home with the old and young, with royalty and regular folk alike. There are countless moments that reflect his goodness, but allow me to share just one:

In Summer 2023, while holidaying in Accra with my family, Aare generously assigned his Ghanaian chef to us for two full weeks serving delicious meals until we had to kindly ask him to pause! Not long after, he flew into Accra and hosted us at La Chaumiere his favourite upscale French restaurant, where his presence is evidently cherished.

As my daughter and I prepared to return to London, we discovered shockingly that her passport had expired just a day earlier. I had to remain behind to resolve the issue. By divine timing, Bob Dee called to check in, and upon hearing the situation, immediately sent his driver. We spent that night in his elegant Accra home.

The next morning, using her Nigerian passport, we flew into Lagos. On his advice, I contacted Mr. Governor, and thanks to that call and Bob Dee’s understanding of the terrain, a new British passport was issued the same day.

Happy Birthday, Aare. A charismatic gentleman, who treats all with warmth and deserved respect.

@yemiedundf

Opinion

A Tribute of Grace to My Younger Brother, Dele Momodu, @65

Published

7 days ago

May 8, 2025

Eric

By Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

My Beloved Aburo,

Your heart beats with the rhythm of compassion,
Your laughter softens the storms of men,
And your pen—yes, that mighty pen—has built bridges where once stood walls.

Today, I speak not only with words,
But with the rhythm of gratitude,
The poetry of love,
And the dance of legacy.

You are more than a name—
You are Dele Momodu.
A spirit of honour.
A vessel of humility.
A generous soul.
A quiet strength wrapped in dignity and thunder.

In you, kindness flows like a river,
And generosity walks hand in hand with wisdom.

You have fed minds, lifted voices,
And sewn hope into the very fabric of Africa.

You write—oh, how you write—
With fire, with elegance, with truth.
You publish, you speak, you dream aloud.
You carry the soul of a president, even when the title passed by.

But allow me this honest moment:
As I turned through the pages of Ovation Magazine,
I searched for a picture of us—
You and I,
Captured in joy, frozen in memory.
But it was not there.

*Yes, I am jealous!*
I say it with a loving smile.
It’s alright… this time.
But when the next milestone arrives,
*When seventy comes knocking—*
*By the grace of God, we shall all be alive.*
And when that time comes,
Let my picture rise with yours,
Let our laughter live in history.
Let it not be forgotten—*again.*

So, as you are honoured today,
And as voices rise in celebration,
Know this, my dear brother:

You are deeply cherished.
You are profoundly celebrated.
And I—your sister, your friend, your family—
Walk with pride in your light.

May joy crown your 65 years,
And may heaven prepare glory for your 70th.

With all my heart and prayers,
Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

Opinion

Towards a Non-Violent Local Government Election in Lagos State

Published

1 week ago

May 5, 2025

Eric

By Tola Ogunnubi

The upcoming July 12, 2025 Local Government Election in Lagos State is a litmus test for the 2027 general elections.

The election of executives at the grassroots level to run the affairs of the Local Government has always been a mixture of peace and violence between leading political parties, aspirants, indigenes and settlers in the various area councils. Local government elections is a critical element of democracy and governance which provides a vital pathway for new political participants to engage communities and impact governance from the ground up in their quest for good governance.

In Lagos State, elections have always been characterized with violence and peaceful conducts. Clashes between APC supporters and main opponents’ supporters from the PDP have been reported from various parts of the state like Surulere, Agege, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo and Kosofe LGAs of the state.

Election violence can diminish voter turnout, influence election outcomes, and erode public trust in the electoral system raising concerns about the legitimacy of results according to Yiaga Africa. Political parties should ensure that the local elections is not a zero sum game, whereby the winners takes it all and the benefits of good governance is limited and retained to only party members and loyalists.

The violence that led to the death of Jide Badaru and one other with several people injured in August 2018 in Surulere Local Government should not be allowed to happen again. According to the cousin of the deceased Mr. Babatunde Badaru, a former Local Government Chairmanship Aspirant in his accounts of the violence that characterizes elections in Surulere LGA.

The wanton destruction of properties, continued threat to lives of opposition supporters should be a thing of the past. Since it is a grassroots election, the African communal sense of being should be displayed during the elections. Perpetrators of electoral violence and their sponsors should be arrested and should be diligently prosecuted so as to deter others who see violence as a viable pathway to electoral victory.

Tola Ogunnubi ANIPR wrote in from Abuja Abuja