society
CBA FOUNDATION: HELPING CHALLENGED WIDOWS MAKE LEMONADE FROM LIFE’S LEMONS
CBA FOUNDATION: HELPING CHALLENGED WIDOWS MAKE LEMONADE FROM LIFE’S LEMONS
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is a proverbial phrase said to have been first coined by the writer Elbert Hubbard in 1915. This simple seven-word maxim is very popular and yet so powerful.
People who quote Hubbard’s proverb so easily and apply it in the same measure in their life and circumstances usually have amazing grass-to-grace stories to tell. Their stories illustrate the world of limitless opportunities that open up to people with a mindset primed to make the best of the situations they find themselves in.
However, there are people out there to whom this sensible phrase makes no sense at all. They have found themselves in a very dark place, where they cannot see any future or way forward. And they want to end it all. Death (by suicide) appears to make more sense to them than trying any further to give life another chance and persevere through the challenges they have lived with for long.
People in such an awful state do not consider that there are other people whose situations are far worse than theirs but are hanging on and still trudging ahead in hope that better days would come. They do not think of drawing inspiration to live and keep trying from those other people. They just want to end their life.
This was the position where Mrs Abiola Jacob was months ago when she decided she would take her own life by jumping into the sea. Being a widow for 17 years was bad enough. Not being able to make something of her life in her widowed state after trying for years was devastating. It was what Mrs Jacob could not take any more.
She had had enough of trying. She had lost the will to live and the drive to fight any more for a chance to make something of her life. But for providence, which positioned the group of fishermen that rescued her in the nick of time, she would have joined the growing statistics of people in Nigeria who commit suicide.
That she still finds herself in the land of the living after bidding what she considered her final farewell to the world is one of those miracles that do not happen too often. But that Mrs Jacob’s hope for a brighter future and the will to live and fight for one have been restored is all thanks to the Chinwe Bode-Akinwande Foundation (CBA Foundation) and the public-spirited individuals and organisations that have continued to support the Foundation in its work amongst underprivileged widows and their vulnerable children, since 2015.
Following the great rescue, the rescuers (those selfless fishermen) realised Mrs Jacob was one of the widows in that area who had been a recipient of donations made by the CBA Foundation, as part of its interventions to provide succour to vulnerable widows. They wasted no time in contacting the Foundation to see what further assistance it could provide.
The Foundation was determined that that would be the first (known) and last time suicide would be mentioned in the same sentence with Mrs Jacob’s name. So, it went beyond counselling and encouragement to provide Mrs Jacob with her desired means of livelihood – a provisions-retailing set-up with all the goods and tools (large stock of various brands of soft drinks, table and sachet water, biscuits, among others, as well as a constructed retail display stand, chair, sunshade/umbrella stand) that she would require to start trading right away.
The result of the Foundation’s effort has been magical! A hopeful and elated Mrs Abiola Jacob has emerged, now determined to make the best of her circumstances. The new glow of happiness her life radiates is evidence that she now has a new lease of life.
She now has her own grass-to-grace story, courtesy of the CBA Foundation, who helped to make lemonade for her from the lemons life handed her. Mrs Jacob is so full of praise for the Foundation and prays that “God will continue to provide for them and bless them”.
Mrs Jacob’s new story is one that is likely to encourage a rethink in any vulnerable widows and challenged persons who have been contemplating suicide. Hence, this piece and other efforts to spread her new story.
No matter the lemon life hands you, lemonade can be made from it. If you have reached your wit’s end in trying to figure out how to make lemonade from the lemons life has handed you, you should not keep your struggles to yourself, or wait till you get to that very dark place.
You should quickly reach out and call for help in line with the saying “a problem shared is a problem halved”. Suicide should not feature in your consideration. It should not be elevated to an option. Because it is not. It is not even a last resort. That you have reached your wit’s end does not mean that people whom you could turn to for help would find themselves also stuck and unable to think beyond the mental block that seems to point to suicide as a way out of your predicament.
Life happens – that is, life hands people lemons and this happens every now and then. But part of what makes humans the greatest species in the entire world is that we (or those we turn to for support) can help to make lemonade from life’s lemons. There is no doubt that life has been particularly more challenging for many, especially vulnerable groups like widows and their children, since the COVID-19 pandemic began ravaging the world.
But it has been observed during this same period that humanity has risen in an unprecedented way to meet the challenge and people have been most kind, making spirited efforts to reach out to and support others, especially the vulnerable. Given that the world is still in the throes of the pandemic, there should not be any relenting in such efforts.
The vulnerable need more help and support at this crucial time, to make it through. They must not be allowed to lose hope and get to that very dark place, because of the harsh effects of a pandemic that experts contend will one day become history, just like other pandemics that the world had faced in the past. The strong and able should help the vulnerable to keep hope alive, to keep believing, to keep pressing until all of humanity – both the strong and the vulnerable – get past this horrendous tide.
People who are strong and are able to cope with all manner of challenges that come their way should by now appreciate that they have something for which they should be thankful. In the striking metaphor/analogy of the boiling water, potato and egg used in Mel Robbin’s famous quote (“The same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg”), they are the egg that gets hardened and toughened by the boiling water while the potato is softened by it.
Strong people have to be grateful for their ability to chew challenges for breakfast, consume difficulties for lunch and masticate adversities for dinner. They should appreciate their ability to deal with life’s unpleasant and unwanted handout of lemons by making lemonade of them.
However, strong people’s gratitude should not end in self-congratulations over their “superhuman” strength and resilience. Their gratitude should also extend to the desire to give back, not just mere handouts but in a reasonable way that helps to empower, and build the same resilience in, the vulnerable – those who are like the potato softened by the same boiling water that hardens the egg.
This is the purpose the CBA Foundation was created to fulfil, especially for underprivileged widows and their vulnerable children. The Foundation is a ready platform the appreciative strong can immediately adopt to reach out to the vulnerable as a way of showing their gratitude.
The CBA Foundation is an effective vehicle through which resources can be channelled to help vulnerable widows and their children make lemonade from the lemons life has handed them. So, consider partnering with them today in the mission of reaching widows who may be on the brink and helping them to get a second chance at life like Mrs Abiola Jacob.
Do not delay or debate the need to contact the Foundation right away. You can visit the Foundation’s website www.cbafoundation.org and send an email now at: [email protected].
Wisdom of a Mature Believer: Don’t Judge What You Don’t Know — Dr. Chris Okafor
“To provoke mercy, keep sowing mercy.”
Mercy is often defined as compassion shown to someone who deserves punishment. It is the conscious decision to forgive when one has the power to condemn.
This formed the core of the message delivered by the Generational Prophet of God, Christopher Okafor, during the Grace Nation Glorious Sunday Service held at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Act and Power of Mercy
Preaching on the topic “The Act and Power of Mercy,”
Dr. Okafor emphasized that mercy is the believer’s escape from judgment. Referencing Psalm 136:1–20, he explained that mercy does not appear randomly; it is activated by deliberate spiritual actions and attitudes.
According to him, many people forfeit divine privileges because they are quick to judge.
A mature believer, he warned, must resist rushing to conclusions. In some cases, what appears to be clear evidence may not reflect the full truth.
“Don’t judge what you do not fully understand,” he cautioned, stressing that premature judgment can shut the door to mercy.
What Provokes Mercy?
Dr. Okafor outlined key spiritual principles that activate divine mercy:
Prayer
Prayer in deep and sincere dimensions attracts mercy. At the throne of grace, God considers the petitions of those who remain committed to Him. Even when a believer falls short, consistent prayer and kingdom partnership can move God to show mercy.
Total Repentance
Acknowledging wrongdoing and genuinely turning away from it provokes mercy. When a person presents their case before God with sincere repentance, divine compassion is released.
Sowing Mercy
Mercy operates like a seed. What a person sows is what they reap. Showing compassion, forgiveness, and kindness to others creates a harvest of mercy in return.
Unjust Hatred
Dr. Okafor also noted that when individuals are hated without cause, God may respond with mercy and divine elevation. What others fail to see in a person, God recognizes.
Conclusion
In closing, the Generational Prophet reiterated that mercy is both a principle and a harvest.
“To provoke mercy,” he declared, “keep sowing mercy.”
The service was marked by strong prophetic manifestations, including testimonies of deliverance, miracles, healings, restoration, and solutions to diverse challenges presented before God.
The Glorious Sunday Service concluded with a special thanksgiving celebration by members born in the month of February.
Sunday Adeyemi writes from Lagos
society
NOVO Announces Spring 2026 Launch: The World’s First Diamond-Backed Digital Currency and Wealth Platform Devoted to Feeding Africa
NOVO Announces Spring 2026 Launch: The World’s First Diamond-Backed Digital Currency and Wealth Platform Devoted to Feeding Africa
February 2026 — NOVO, an emerging global leader in diamond manufacturing, crypto‑banking, and ethical wealth management, today announced the upcoming Spring 2026 launch of NOVO Coin, the world’s first digital currency fully backed by certified, lab‑grown, cut, and polished diamonds stored in secure vaults in Singapore and Switzerland.
Designed for stability, transparency, and humanitarian impact, NOVO represents a new class of asset‑backed digital currency engineered to serve both global markets and vulnerable economies facing inflation, currency instability, and limited access to banking.
A Currency With a Mission: Feeding a Continent.
In a groundbreaking commitment, NOVO has pledged 50% of all corporate profits to support nonprofit micro‑finance organizations across Africa that specialize in food production, farming, fishing, and sustainable agriculture.
This initiative aims to:
Expand access to affordable capital for small and mid‑scale food producers
Strengthen local food systems and reduce dependency on imports
Dramatically lower grocery prices across African markets
Build long‑term economic resilience for millions of families
NOVO’s leadership believes that empowering Africa’s farmers and food‑producing cooperatives is the fastest path to stabilizing regional economies — and ultimately driving down global food prices.
Diamond‑Backed Stability for a Volatile World
Unlike speculative tokens or inflation‑prone fiat currencies, every NOVO Coin is backed by real, verifiable diamond reserves, manufactured through advanced laboratory processes and held in audited international vaults.
This structure provides:
Intrinsic value tied to a globally recognized commodity
Transparency through third‑party reserve verification
Security via geographically diversified vaults
Long‑term price stability for users and institutional partners
NOVO’s diamond‑reserve system is designed to offer a safe, durable alternative for nations and communities seeking protection from currency devaluation.
A Full‑Spectrum Financial Ecosystem
Beyond the currency itself, NOVO is launching a vertically integrated platform that includes:
Diamond manufacturing and certification
Crypto‑banking and digital asset management
Wealth management and life‑insurance services
Humanitarian micro‑finance distribution channels
This unified ecosystem positions NOVO as one of the first fintech institutions to combine commodity‑backed digital currency with large‑scale social impact.
A New Era of Ethical Finance
“NOVO was built on a simple belief: a currency should serve the people who use it,” said the organization’s founder. “By backing NOVO with diamonds and dedicating half of our profits to African food producers, we are proving that financial innovation and humanitarian responsibility can — and must — coexist.”
Spring 2026: A Global Debut
NOVO Coin will be available to the public in Spring 2026, with early institutional partnerships already underway across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
For more information. Here is the organizations website TOPOFTHEPYRAMID.org
Tinubu Mourns Rear Admiral Musa Katagum: A National Loss for Nigeria’s Military Leadership
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“President Tinubu Pays Tribute as Nigeria’s Naval Command Mourns the Sudden Loss of a Strategic Maritime Leader at a Critical Security Juncture.”
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially mourned the death of Rear Admiral Musa Bello Katagum, the Chief of Naval Operations of the Nigerian Navy, who died on February 19, 2026, after a protracted illness while receiving treatment abroad. His passing has sent ripples through Nigeria’s defence establishment and national security architecture, marking the loss of one of the most experienced and respected maritime commanders in recent memory.
In a statement released on February 20, 2026 by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Rear Admiral Katagum’s death as a “significant blow to the military and the nation,” noting the late officer’s vast experience and “invaluable contributions” to both the Nigerian Navy and the broader “Armed Forces of Nigeria”. The President extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, naval personnel and the nation at large, while praying for solace and strength for colleagues and loved ones.
Rear Admiral Katagum’s career was marked by distinguished service in several strategic capacities. Before his appointment as Chief of Naval Operations in November 2025, he served as Director of the Presidential Communication, Command and Control Centre (PC4) and Chief of Intelligence of the Nigerian Navy-roles that placed him at the nexus of naval operational planning and intelligence gathering. His leadership was widely credited with enhancing the Navy’s capacity to respond to growing maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea, including piracy, illegal bunkering, and transnational crime.
Security policy experts emphasise that Katagum’s loss comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria. Dr. Adebola Akinpelu, a defence analyst at the Institute for Security Studies, observes that “Nigeria’s maritime domain remains a frontline in the broader security challenges facing the nation; the loss of an adept operational leader like Rear Admiral Katagum is not just a personnel change but a strategic setback.” His insight reflects broader concerns about continuity in military leadership amid intensifying threats.
The Nigerian Navy’s own statement, confirmed by the Directorate of Naval Information, affirmed that Katagum’s “exemplary leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering loyalty” were central to boosting operational readiness and national defence. According to Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director of Naval Information, “His legacy remains a source of inspiration across the services.”
As Nigeria grapples with complex security landscapes at its land and maritime frontiers, the death of Rear Admiral Katagum underscores a broader national imperative: strengthening institutional capacities while honouring the service and sacrifice of those who defend the nation’s sovereignty. In the words of military scholar Professor James Okoye, “Leadership in security institutions is not easily replaceable; it is built through experience, trust and strategic clarity; qualities that Katagum embodied.”
Rear Admiral Musa Katagum has since been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites, leaving behind a legacy that will inform Nigerian naval operations for years to come.
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