Ikaz Kassim Unveils The Book, Gratitude 365 Days
Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
Zainab Ikaz-Kassim, has unveiled her book, ‘Gratitude 365 Days: Reflections, Lessons, and Growth’, at the weekend in Abuja.
Ikaz-Kassim, a development consultant and former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs and Event Management under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, hinted that gratitude plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s outlook and ability to thrive, especially during the current economic challenges.
The author, in her address said: “First, let me start by saying thank you. Thank you all for being here, for sharing this moment with me, and for supporting this journey in one way or another. Today is not just about launching a book, it’s about celebrating the lessons, reflections, and growth that this journey has brought into my life and, hopefully, into yours as well.”
According to her, When I started writing Gratitude: 365 Days of Reflection, Lessons & Growth, I thought it would simply be a collection of insights and personal stories about gratitude. But as I wrote, something shifted. “This book became more than just words on a page, it became a journey of learning, unlearning, and transformation.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned along the way is grace,” she said.
Ikaz- Kassim explained that there were moments when she found myself judging people based on how they responded, how engaged they seemed, or how they interacted with her.
Her words: “Some people seemed distant, uninterested, even standoffish. But as I listened to their gratitude stories, I realised something important: people are going through so much that we never see. Some were grieving, some were fighting silent battles and some were simply overwhelmed by life.
“And yet, despite all of that, they still found moments to be grateful. That changed me. It taught me to pause before reacting, to be slower to judge, and to extend kindness wherever possible.
“This is the heart of Gratitude. It’s not just about appreciating what we have, it’s about shifting our mindset, about seeing the world differently, and about choosing to focus on what truly matters.”
She further explained that the book would not have been possible without so many people. “To my editing team, my proofreaders, and everyone who played a role in shaping this book, thank you. Your patience, dedication, and support made all the difference.
“To my family, friends, and mentors your encouragement and belief in me kept me going.”
She informed that her success is not solely dependent on external circumstances but also on an individual’s mindset and ability to take proactive steps.
“If you are an ungrateful person, you will be unable to be productive, and if you are unable to be productive, you are unable to do anything that will bring you money.
“So by being grateful, you become more productive, and as a more productive person, regardless of the economic situation, regardless of what the country is saying, as a grateful and productive person, you will be able to come up with something that can fetch you income and help your life generally.”
She explained that her book is designed to help individuals cultivate gratitude through personal reflections, shared experiences, and practical exercises that promote a positive and resilient mindset.
Speaking in similar vein, Director Public Relations and Protocol Ministry of Information, Dr Suleman Haruna, in his keynote address said, my advice to the author of the book is that, this book should be taken to schools and other homes so that people can go through it and see what God has done.
Because I know Zainab went through a lot and she used this book as her own life to write it down so that people can go through this and see when you see people dress looking good, you don’t know what they are passing through. If you see people going around, you don’t know what they are passing through.
“But when you were grateful to God and gratitude to God, you won’t forget to say, God, I’m alive, so why should I worry about tomorrow,” he said.
