Ikaz Kassim Unveils Book, ‘Gratitude 365 Days’

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja 

Zainab Ikaz-Kasssim unveiled her book, ‘Gratitude 365 Days: Reflections, Lessons, and Growth’, on 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 said, “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. When I started writing Gratitude: 365 Days of Reflection, Lessons and Growth, I thought it would simply be a collection of insights and personal stories about gratitude.”

She added, “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.”

Ikaz-Kassim explained that there were moments when she found herself judging people based on how they responded, how engaged they seemed, or how they interacted with her. 

She noted that some people seemed distant, uninterested, and even standoffish, but as she listened to their “gratitude stories”, Ikaz-Kassim 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. 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,” she stated. “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 stated 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,” Ikaz-Kassim pointed out. “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.

The Director of 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.”