society
The Glory in Failure: Why Every Defeat Is a Lesson Disguised as Pain
The Glory in Failure: Why Every Defeat Is a Lesson Disguised as Pain.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Celebrating setbacks, learning through pain and turning losses into the raw material of greatness.”
The Power of Falling Forward.
Failure; the WORD that frightens millions, breaks dreams and often silences ambition. Yet, to those who truly understand life, failure is not the OPPOSITE of success; it is the FOUNDATION of it. Every stumble, every rejection, every disappointment carries within it the seed of wisdom. “I have not failed,” said Thomas Edison after a thousand unsuccessful attempts to invent the light bulb, “I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
In celebrating my failures as I do my successes, I choose not to drown in self-pity or frustration but to rise with understanding. For in every fall lies a reason and in every reason, a lesson waiting to be learned. Life’s defining difference is not between success and failure, but between those who give up and those who use failure as fuel for the next leap.
Understanding the Nature of Failure.
Failure is not a curse; it is an inevitable companion on the journey of excellence. Psychologists at Stanford University describe failure as a “NEUROLOGICAL FEEDBACK SYSTEM,” an event that triggers learning and adaptation within the human brain. The discomfort we feel after failing is not punishment; it is a call to SELF-CORRECTION. Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, argues that people with a “GROWTH MINDSET” view failure as information, not defeat. “EFFORT,” she wrote, “is what ignites ability and turns it into accomplishment.”
In my journey, I have learned to observe failure with gratitude. Not every path chosen in confidence leads to the right destination. Sometimes, what you thought was the best choice reveals its folly only when the results come. Although that is the beauty of the process, we are not designed to be flawless; we are designed to evolve.
The Courage to Celebrate Downfalls.
It takes courage to celebrate failure. Society glorifies success stories though hides the broken pieces that shaped them. We see the triumphs of great men and women but rarely the TEARS, DOUBTS and DETOURS behind their RISE. Nelson Mandela in his words, “Do not judge me by my success; judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
When we celebrate failure, we do not glorify LOSS; we glorify LEARNING. We acknowledge the human condition; the fragile, uncertain, yet resilient nature of existence. Every time you choose to celebrate your fall, you rob fear of its power over your destiny. You begin to see the symmetry of life: the ups and downs are not enemies; they are alternating rhythms in the song of purpose.
Lessons Hidden in Defeat. Some of the world’s most remarkable achievements were born out of failure.
Walt Disney was fired for “LACKING IMAGINATION.”
Albert Einstein did not speak fluently until age nine and was “EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL.”
Oprah Winfrey was once told she was “UNFIT FOR TELEVISION.”
Steve Jobs was fired from the very company he founded before returning “TO BUILD APPLE INTO A GLOBAL EMPIRE.”
What unites these individuals is not luck, but resilience; the ability to reinterpret failure as redirection. “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm,” said Winston Churchill. That enthusiasm (that refusal to surrender to defeat) defines those who ultimately change the world.
Failure as a Mirror.
Failure reveals character. It strips away illusions and forces self-honesty. It makes you ask: Who am I when nothing works? Who am I when applause turns to silence?
In those quiet moments of doubt, the real growth happens.
Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” This is not a call to endure pain passively but to extract power from it. When we confront our failures, we refine our judgment, clarify our goals and strengthen our spirit. We stop living to impress others and start living to fulfill purpose.
It is in failure that humility is born and humility is the seed of wisdom. Every wise man is a product of mistakes properly examined.
The Science of Gratitude in Failure.
Gratitude, psychologists say, changes the brain’s chemistry. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology revealed that gratitude activates the medial prefrontal cortex and the region associated with DECISION-MAKING and EMOTIONAL BALANCE. In essence, when we choose to be grateful even in failure, we are not denying pain; we are rewiring the brain to see beyond it.
In my own philosophy, GRATITUDE IS NOT OPTIONAL; IT IS ESSENTIAL. When I look back at my failures, I do not see wasted years. I see preparation; chapters that shaped endurance, insight and discernment. Gratitude turns regret into reflection and reflection turns experience into wisdom.
The Thin Line Between Success and Failure.
Life has a strange balance, the difference between success and failure often lies in time and perspective. The “DOWN” moments are not permanent; they are pauses that prepare you for your “UP” moments. The wheel of life turns for everyone and the wise learn to stay calm in both ascent and descent.
Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher wrote: “Failure is the foundation of success and the means by which it is achieved.” Success and failure are twins not opposites. The same HUMILITY that sustains you in failure must guide you in success. When you understand this, you stop fearing life’s unpredictability and start embracing its rhythm.
Humanity Thrives on Those Who Learn.
The progress of humanity is built on the courage of those who dared to fail. The Wright Brothers failed multiple times before achieving FLIGHT. Marie Curie faced skepticism and poverty before pioneering RADIOACTIVITY. Nelson Mandela endured 27 years in prison before becoming a symbol of RECONCILIATION.
These are not stories of perfection; they are testimonies of perseverance. Humanity thrives when we see failure not as a verdict but as a voice whispering, “TRY AGAIN, BUT WISER.”
In my failure, I find HUMANITY the collective struggle of all who dared to dream and fell short then rose again. In my success, I find RESPONSIBILITY the duty to remind others that failure is not fatal and victory is never final.
Final Reflections: Gratitude as the Greatest Victory.
In the end, life is not a straight line but a dance between LOSS and GAIN. To celebrate failure is to declare independence from FEAR. It is to say, “I am not my mistakes; I am the lessons they taught me.”
When gratitude becomes your default language, every setback becomes sacred. You begin to see that the journey itself (not the trophy) is the true reward. Gratitude transforms pain into perspective, failure into formation and disappointment into divine preparation.
As the great author C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Failures, repeated failures are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.” Those who grasp this truth rise above the temporary shame of defeat and embrace the eternal wisdom of growth.
So, I celebrate my failures as I do my successes. In every fall, I bow in gratitude. In every rise, I give thanks. For in failure, I have found clarity and in success, I have found responsibility.
To live with this understanding is to conquer life itself; for gratitude is not merely the posture of the heart; it is the CROWN of WISDOM.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
-
society6 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news3 months agoWHO REALLY OWNS MONIEPOINT? The $290 Million Deal That Sold Nigeria’s Top Fintech to Foreign Interests
-
society6 months ago“You Are Never Without Help” – Pastor Gebhardt Berndt Inspires Hope Through Empower Church (Video)
-
society7 months agoWho is Chief Kestin Pondi? Niger Delta’s “People’s Chief” Winning Hearts With Hundreds of Millions in Generosity