The Nation Newspaper

Category: Online Special

  • Oyedepo: Pilot reveals details of averted plane crash

    Oyedepo: Pilot reveals details of averted plane crash

     

    Details of the recent averted plane crash involving the Presiding Bishop of the Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo and his wife has been revealed by the pilot of the aircraft Captain Samuel Adegoga.

    Narrating how the accident happened , a pastor in the church, Adebisi read the report  from the aircraft’s pilot during a thanksgiving service on Friday.

    “The main malfunction we had in the Cyprus-Israel flight was a stabilizer twin-motor failure. During the said flight that we had the twin motor failure, the auto-pilot could no longer exert the desired pressure to keep the aircraft in the required altitude for stability flight.

    “The captain disconnected the auto-pilot,  took and returned the aircraft to the required altitude for that phase of the flight. Because the aircraft was out of trim during this takeover, the aircraft abruptly pitched off with much pitch force.

    ” The captain counteracted it with a pitch down force. These counter forces caused turbulence and movement in the cabin and cargo hold. Heavy items in the cargo section fell from their compartment, making a loud noise, ” the pilot wrote.

    ” We thank the God of this commission for making the pilot to react promptly. Similar failures in the past have resulted in fatal accidents due to lateness of pilot’s reaction, ” Adebisi added.

    However, while the pilot saw the incident as mechanical malfunctioning, Bishop Oyedepo said the averted air disaster was a spiritual attack.

    He went on to explain that a few days before he embarked on the journey, his  ‘father in the Lord’ and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye had had a revelation about the incident and came over to his house unannounced to pray for him.

    Bishop Oyedepo’s words: “According to the word of God, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord will hit the earth, there will be a restoration of sonship and fatherhood to the body of Christ.

    ” On Friday preceding the journey that we made, my father in the Lord showed up at 6:30 early in the morning and saw a vision and wasn’t sleeping, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, why seek the living among the dead? No, no…’ So, he took off and landed here before 6:30am. No, there was no idea that he was coming, and there was no discussion after it. The heart of the father will be drawn to the heart of the son to defend.

    ” Understand what I’m saying. You don’t have inheritance in a pastor; you don’t have in a teacher. Many of us have teachers all our lives. Did they share anything with you when they died?   Did any teacher write your name in his will? You only have an inheritance with a father. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children to inherit. Fatherhood is not an accolade, it is a revelation. So, that was not technical failure, it was a spiritual attack that Jesus averted.

    Every prophet sent to you is ordained a father. Elisha shouted: ‘My father! My father!‘ He was the son of Sherphat. Elijah was not his biological father, but he was a prophet sent to him…Every prophet sent to you is sent as a father, not as brother, not as an uncle, not as a friend. I have enjoyed this kind of covering all my life. ”

    Corroborating the testimony of Bishop Oyedepo, his second  son, Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, the Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church, Lokogoma, Abuja said this on October 8 :  “Very early last week Tuesday, Daddy G. O  (Pastor Enoch Adeboye) went to Bishop Oyedepo’s house unannounced, no telephone calls.

    “Daddy G.O said ‘God told him to go and pray for Bishop’.  Pastor Isaac further said the message was so urgent that Daddy G.O came without Mummy G.O (his wife), it was that urgent. So Daddy G.O was just entering everywhere and praying.

    “On Friday of the same week, Bishop,his wife and three other keys members ‘re on their way to Israel, when suddenly, I mean suddenly,  the auto pilot failed in the air but the Everlasting Arms showed up, miraculously brought them down, no scratch.’

    Among the gospel  musicians who ministered at the special thanksgiving service were Evangelist Bola Are, Evangelist Adelakun and his Ayewa group .

  • HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART ONE]

    HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART ONE]

    With her head pressed tightly against her pillow, shedding warm tears that literally deluged her pillow, she cried all night, engaged in a pity party; asking God why her parents would call it quits – a once blissful marriage. She now feels a void, one that needs to be filled urgently before she loses her mind; she feels empty, finished and dry.

    First, it was an introduction; a seemingly harmless remark of “how are you?…my name is Femi!”. In response, she gives a restrained and innocuous smile out of courtesy, and tries to add the formal appellation of “Mr…” before returning the pleasantry. But quickly, like a predator that stealthily and hastily latches onto its unsuspecting prey, he interrupts and says – “please simply call me Femi.” She holds back her smile again and said…“ok then, Femi…it’s nice meeting you!”

    The breakout session was over, and everyone was required to congregate back as an audience and maintain their sitting arrangement. She politely excused herself and went to have a seat. From the corner of her eye she could see Femi…sorry, Mr Femi, staring at her; his head tilted almost permanently towards her direction.

    Read also: HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART TWO]

    Femi was seated four seats before her (on the same row). She could hardly concentrate on the topic being discussed by the facilitator; all she could think about was how brazenly smart and articulate he was during her first encounter with him. Femi is the quintessential ladies’ dream-guy; he had the built (tall and sturdy) that most ladies delight in, skin tone that resonates between fair and chocolate, a baritone voice that literally reverberates and echoes in the receptacles your subconscious minutes after he has spoken, a clean low-cut with a well-trimmed goatee.

    Taking a cursory dive into a “not too distant past” of Amarachi (yes, that’s her name), say a year ago, you would see her pressing her head tightly against her pillow, shedding warm tears that literally deluged her pillow. She cried all night, and engaged in a pity party; asking God why her parents would call it quits – a once blissful marriage.

    Read also: HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [CONCLUDING PART]

    She just turned twenty one, and was returning home after the completion of her one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C) program to her fatherland. Her steps were literally prancing, springing and pouncing as she drew close to her family house; in fact, she was barely six feet away from the gate when she raced into the house hoping to receive an overwhelming shower of love and warm embrace from her dad and mom; she is an only child.

    Her infantile excitement quickly turned sour and sore as she beheld an abusive scene of her father bludgeoning and pummeling down on her mom; his big fist tightly clenched and dashing out unrestrained blows on her. She quickly rushed to separate the duo before her father gives a KO (Knockout).

    He had a brutal and bestial deportment and demeanour; a side of him she had never seen before. Her mother laid on the tiled floor drenched in tears, sweat, and something that looked like blood…Oh no…it was her blood. The situation was critical, but thanks to the swift response from the state ambulance service unit, her mom was rushed to the hospital and was operated on quickly. After two weeks she was out of the hospital.

    Ever since that unfortunate incident, her once congenial and loving family had morphed into a house of commotion…heck!, a house of conundrum and confusion. Every day in the house was like a typical sad and depressing scenery from a classic tragedy movie…an unending saga of bitter and tempestuous relationship between her parents.

    The last straw that broke the camel’s back was when her mother filed for a divorce, and her dad in his usual egoistic machismo bragged about his foray into adultery and how he regrets ever laying eyes on his wife.

    Now they are divorced. Amarachi shuttles incommodiously between her mother’s newly rented apartment and her father’s house. She lays flat on the bed, her eyes looking up at the ceiling; her thoughts receding to the good times they once had as a family; like a transient smoke that quickly disappears into thin air, those times have become nothing more than empty memories…forever buried in the annals of history…her history!

    With her head pressing tightly against her pillow, shedding warm tears that literally deluged her pillow, she cried all night, and engaged in a pity party; asking God why her parents would call it quits – a once blissful marriage. She now feels a void, one that needs to be filled urgently before she loses her mind; she feels empty, finished, and dry.

    Fast forward into the seminar hall where she is conveniently seated with other participants, and of course, the charmer – “Mr Femi”.

    To be continued!

    By Moses Emorinken

    Email: brandphase@yahoo.com

    Twitter: @memorinken

    Instagram: @memorinken

  • Best Nigerian recipe for this weekend – Abula

    Best Nigerian recipe for this weekend – Abula

    By Praise Olowe

    Hi, it’s another weekend and one to enjoy, of course. We will be talking about one major native dishes.

    I am talking about the very popular Abula (one of the foods held in high esteem in the Yoruba land). Abula is a combination of Amala (Yam Flour), Gbegiri and Ewedu. I can actually taste the soup in my mouth as I’m typing this.

    Longer throat me, I know. Abula isn’t everybody’s cup of tea but try it once and you’ll be hooked as it is super delicious.

    Gbegiri soup (the yellow one in the image) is a Yoruba soup prepared with beans which comes alive with ewedu (A mucilaginous and very slim draw soup made from jute leaves also known as ayoyo or saluyot leaves) soup and assorted meat.

    Ingredients for Making Gbegiri Soup

    1 cups Beans (white or brown)

    Onions (2 balls)

    Pepper

    Palm oil

    Seasoning (Knorr cube, salt etc.)

    Fish/meat

    Method

    Soak beans in water for 3-5 minutes and peel to remove skin

    Boil peeled beans with enough water until soft (You can use pressure pot)

    Boil assorted meat/fish till tender with seasoning and salt.

    Blend cooked beans in a blender for a smooth pure and set aside

    Place a cooking pan on a medium heat, add palm oil and heat for about 3 minutes (don’t bleach oil)

    Stir beans in palm oil

    Add water if needed to achieve desired thickness

    Add assorted meat/fish and pepper, stir properly

    Reduce the heat and leave to cook for about 10 minutes

    Check in between to avoid soup from burning

    Ingredients for making Ewedu Soup

    Ewedu leaves

    Ijabe (Traditional broom whisk) or blender

    Potash

    Locust beans

    Water

    Salt to taste

    Method

    Pluck the ewedu leaves from the stem

    Rinse the plucked leaves in clean water – Set Aside.

    In a small pot, add the water and potash and leave to heat up

    Once the water starts to boil, add the ewedu leaves and leave to cook for about 7 minutes

    Turn off the burner and mash with the broom. Alternatively, if you don’t have the broom, leave the boiled ewedu to cool a little then pour it into a blender and blend.

    Pour the ewedu back into the pot and turn the burner to the lowest.

    Add the salt, crayfish and locust beans.

    Leave it to simmer for 3-5 minutes.

    Ingredients for making Amala (Yam Flour)

    Yam flour

    Water

    Wooden stick (Omorogun)

    Method

    Heat water on fire to a boiling point

    When the water is boiled, gradually add the yam flour to the water and stir simultaneously and quickly with the turning stick (omorogun) so it doesn’t form lumps

    Add little water to it, cover and cook on low heat for about 7mins

    Turn the Amala again

    Bring it down from the fire and turn until a smooth lump is formed.

    Serve alongside Gbegiri and Ewedu. I am urging you to spice up your weekend with this delicious delicacy.

    Have a lovely weekend!!!

  • When Conflict Can be a Good Thing in Church

    When Conflict Can be a Good Thing in Church

    If you’ve been attending church for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed–or even been a part of–a conflict in the congregation. It could be over something as important as theology or something as trivial as what kind of carpeting should go in the fellowship hall. It’s often surprising how quickly disagreement can arise, especially when deeply held religious beliefs get involved.

    Since all churches are made up of sinners saved by God’s grace, it is likely that all churches will experience conflict at one time or another. This can lead church leaders to yearn for peace and unity–certainly a characteristic of a congregation that the New Testament frequently instructs churches to pursue.

    Sometimes, however, striving after peace and unity can become an idol and can actually lead to stifled spiritual growth in a congregation.

    In his article “Beware the Satisfied Church” for The Gospel Coalition, pastor and author Trevin Wax notes: “[I]t’s easy for Christians who have been through a season of conflict or discontentment to pursue peace and satisfaction as the goal. It’s easy for churches to imagine that it’s a sign of faithfulness when everyone is getting along and everyone is satisfied.”

    Pastors, church leaders, and members of a congregation can easily fall into thinking that their church is exactly where it should be as long as there are no complaints, everyone agrees on the type of worship music, and no one is made too uncomfortable by the pastor’s sermon.

    When this view is adopted, however, the church moves away from its true purpose and becomes more of a social club than a dynamic gathering of believers seeking to further the Gospel.

    In some cases, Wax notes, being too content at church may actually signal that something is wrong.

    “Yes, we are right to pursue unity and peace in the church. But we are wrong to assume that the absence of conflict or complaint indicates that things are going in the right direction,” he writes. “The satisfaction of church members may be a sign not of faithfulness, but of widespread complacency.”

    This can be a fine line. As with most things in life, we seem to seek to be comfortable with a new environment (work, school, church, etc.), and then once we reach that place of comfort and security, we are often tempted to plateau and not challenge ourselves or step outside our comfort zones.

    The purpose of gathering together with fellow believers in a church setting is to receive edification, fellowship with other Christians, and hear from God’s Word, but another purpose of attending church is for us to take our faith beyond that church building and into our communities where it may not feel as natural and comfortable.

    “But the reality holds true: the satisfied church that isn’t reaching people for Jesus is satisfied in the wrong things,” writes Wax. …”The satisfied church is not a holy congregation; it may just be a complacent one.”

    Satisfaction is not a negative thing. It’s a very good thing if it’s placed in Christ! The Bible encourages us to find our satisfaction in God and not in worldly things–which can include idolized pursuit of our personal preferences and comfort.
    “This paradox is important,” Wax continues. “Churches most satisfied in God will be the most dissatisfied with their own spiritual state. They want to see God’s name magnified throughout their city and around the world. They will be dissatisfied–filled with holy discontent over the current state of their church, and they’ll be yearning to reach more for Christ, to do more for others, to serve more in his name.”

    Next time you attend church, praise God for the ways the congregation is functioning peacefully and in unity. But also, if there is conflict on certain issues, instead of being tempted to become frustrated, argumentative, or defensive, seek out ways in which these challenges can be opportunities for your growth and the growth of your fellow believers. You never know how God may be using our human imperfection to draw others to Himself and to glorify His name.

    First Published by Crosswalk

  • Let’s talk single parenting

    Let’s talk single parenting

    Single parenting is one that involves either a man or a woman independently raising his or her child (children) without the financial, emotional or moral contribution or assistance of the other party.

    An individual can become a single parent as a result of the following: death, artificial insemination, divorce, abandonment etc.

    From statistics, single parents are more susceptible to psychological breakdown like clinical depression and other emotional traumas.

    A typical family is one that comprises of man (husband), the woman (wife) and their children; however, due to the increasing rate of divorce, death etc., there are more single parents than what existed in the days of yore.

    Usually, parenting goes beyond emotional availability but also involves financial responsibility. This can sometimes become a burden; especially for the single parents who have no other person to support financially.

    Single parenting affects a lot of children in many ways. They sometimes fall victim of emotional instability if parent do not create enough time to bond with them properly. The lack of proper parent-child bonding could lead to frequent feuds and misunderstandings between them.

    Most single parents can go the extra mile for their children regardless of the what  it would cost them physically, emotionally and financially; even though things don’t always go the way they want.

    It is very easy for children to fall into states of loneliness and depression, especially when they don’t get the kind of premium attention they deserve from their parent.

    They also suffer emotionally from abandonment and neglect; they in turn find it very difficult to connect with other individuals as a result of lack of confidence.

    It is advisable that couples try as much as they can to ensure that other causes of single parenthood asides death (which is unpredictable and uncontrollable) are avoided because the sundry roles of the other parent cannot be over-emphasised.

    “If a thing is broken, you do not throw it away, instead you fix it”. This is a mindset that can help couples stay together for decades and still retain the tensile strength that existed like the first time they met.

  • As we commemorate the International day for the eradication of poverty

    As we commemorate the International day for the eradication of poverty

    Today, the International day for the eradication of poverty, is an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty and also give them a chance to make their concerns heard.

    No one expects to perpetuate in poverty, however, we will always have the poor around us. The onus now resides with the comfortable, affluent and the government to see that this scourge is totally obliterated.

    The observance of today, can be traced back to 17 October, 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadero in Paris, where the universal declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger.

    They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. These convictions are inscribed in a commemorative stone unveiled on this day.

    Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17th to renew their commitment and show solidarity towards the course.

    Participation of the poor themselves has been at the epi-centre of today’s celebration since its inception. The commemoration of this day also reflects the willingness of people living in poverty to actively see to its eradication.

    Dear readers, we share a collective destiny; there is more binding us together than what separates us. It is high time we started to show empathy for those living below the breadline. They do not always need our pity or periodic pittance, but that we consciously join the campaign to see its extrication in our nation.

    Building a sustainable future requires us to intensify our efforts towards eradicating extreme poverty and discrimination, and ensure that everyone can fully exercise their human rights.

    The full participation of people living in poverty, particularly in the decisions that affect their lives and communities, must be at the centre of policies and strategies to build a sustainable future. This way, we can guarantee that our planet and our societies can fulfill the needs and aspirations of everyone.

  • STOP domestic violence against women

    STOP domestic violence against women

    In recent times, Nigeria has experienced a growing and disturbing trend of domestic violence against women.

    In simple terms, domestic violence can be described as the misuse of power by one adult in a relationship to control another. It is also the establishment of fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse.

    This violence can take the form of physical assault, psychological, social and financial abuse; it could also be in the form of sexual assault.

    Research reveals that there is a preponderance of domestic violence cases especially in underdeveloped countries. This is shallow and bestial mentality of abusing the rights of women have been a major concern to the international community.

    Women are at the receiving end of the major cases of abuse in Nigeria. Amongst all the forms of abuse, physical and sexual abuse seems to top the chart in our dear country.

    According to World Health Organisation ( WHO ), there is an alarming population of women who had or are experiencing physical or sexual violence or both by an intimate partner. This shows how much women are being abused in a relationship by their male counterparts.

    In a patriarchal society like ours, domestic abuses and sufferings are sometimes tolerated and pandered as being part of the things to expect in a marriage.

    Truth be told, women are vulnerable, soft, fragile and in most cases not as strong as the man (physically); this puts them in a position to be exploited.

    Husbands who batter their wives are obviously sick and should either get a temporary or permanent accommodation in a psychiatric centre. They sometimes feel that they are exercising their manly rights, maintaining good order in the family and punishing their wives…phew! Such an overrated sense of masculinity!

    Domestic violence does not only cause physical injuries but also leaves its victim(s) with imprints of enduring emotional torture.  Although physical injuries can be seen and maybe treated, however, the extent of emotional wounds can only be imagined.

    Recently, the rate of depression and tendencies for suicide has been on the increase among youths and teenagers, especially of the female gender. Domestic abuse affects them academically, physically, psychologically and emotionally.

    Children who fall victim of domestic violence may develop serious emotional, behavioural, or academic problems. They are more likely to use violence in response to threats; they attempt suicide, abuse drugs, prone to committing crimes etc. Eventually, if they are not helped, they might turn out to be abusers in the future.

    Women are not just another item in the kitchen or the “other room”. They have as much right to education and ambition as much as their male counterparts.  The common labeling and tagging of the girl-child as a weaker vessel must be eschewed for us as a people to make significant progress.

    Around the world, women have begun to awaking to their full potentials. We now see women presidents and heads of parastatals and organisations.

  • A nugget as we commemorate the world students day

    A nugget as we commemorate the world students day

    There is a popular saying that “the moment you stop learning, you start dying”. Therefore, the subject of learning is a never-ending journey; one that is embarked on regardless of status, age or skin colour. Who is a student? By definition, a student is anyone who studies a particular academic subject or a student is one who is seriously devoted to some subject whether academically or not.

    From the writer’s point of view, a student is anyone with an open mind to acquire knowledge for things they do not know; especially of novel tasks and experiences.

    Taking a cursory look at the learning processes in our institutions of higher learning, we would readily recognise the banal and mechanical way of teaching and learning between lecturers and students. It is as if the students in the classroom are some robots that operate by “garbage-in, garbage-out”.

    Students are not machines that can be easily programmed and then expected to work accordingly. They’ve got flesh and blood; minds and hearts. Like Albert Einstein said, “if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will feel stupid for the rest of its life”. So, it is important that our curriculum and teaching methods be adapted to the students, and not just one-size-fits-all.

    According to A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM, “Every child is shaped by the mind of the teachers”. Therefore, teachers should learn to encourage, speak positivity to their students and make them realize nothing is impossible to assimilate.

    More also, the use of foul languages on students, give them reasons to think ill of themselves. You should understand that there are two (2) types of students seated in the class room.

    One of which are the fast learners; they are quick to learn, understand and even assimilate before the teacher hits the nail on the head. The other categories are the slow learners; they find it difficult to assimilate quickly like former. They need things to be broken down in smaller pieces before they can assimilate.

    Interaction and communication play a vital role in the teaching process; therefore, teachers should ensure that everyone is following and not face the “brilliant” ones in the class.

    An advice to parents and guardians, please avoid comparing the skills and abilities of your children; doing that makes them feel down casted and begin to doubt their abilities.

    How many times do you as a parent assist your child when he or she needs to do his or her assignment? How many even create time for their children to talk about issues bothering them? How many as much as notice or pay attention to the emotional needs of their children, especially when they get unnecessarily silent?

    Encouragement, love and care are the things that a child needs. Children need you around whenever and wherever the need arises; they want to turn around and see you behind them, giving them words and reasons to press forward. Let them know that with hard work, consistency and perseverance, success will definitely come.

    Students! You need to realize that nothing comes easy and that hard work pays! A.P.J. Abdul Kalam whose birthday, the United Nations declared as world students day says “man needs difficulties in life to enjoy the success”.

    Also, our very own Tai Solarin (of blessed memory) said, “may your road be rough”. Please don’t get it twisted, that was not a curse, but a silent reminder of the vicissitudes of life, and the ubiquitous benefits it has.

    Therefore, expect difficulties because after that comes success. Those “unpleasant words” we get from both our parents and teachers are for the betterment of our lives.

    Their intention is to push you to strive harder to become someone great in life. If you don’t seem to be getting the encouragement that you expect, don’t get discouraged…encourage yourself by doing those things that secures your future.

    You start by planning your future from now because excellence is a continuous process not an accident. Start now to create a better future for yourself and put on the “I can do it” attitude…truth be told – YES YOU CAN!

  • Google celebrates 272th birthday of Nigerian slave

    Google celebrates 272th birthday of Nigerian slave

    Today, Google celebrates the 272nd birthday of Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave of Igbo extraction in Nigeria, who supported the British movement to end the slave trade

    Popularly known in his lifetime as Gustavus Vassa, Olaudah was enslaved as a child.

    After his freedom, his autobiography, which was published in 1789, helped in the creation of the Slave Trade Act 1807 which ended the African slave trade for Britain and its colonies

    Equiano was a prominent Nigerian Writer, Activist and a trader who died on 31 March 1979. Although his gravesite is unknown till today. Equiano’s death was recognized in American as well as British newspapers.

    Google celebrates Slave Equiano
    Nigerian Slave Equiano

    He gave the world one of its first accounts of the trade from a victim’s perspective.

    Equiano formed an Anti-slave movement in 1780s that shed light on the tragic life of slaves, he settled in London, where in the 1780s he became involved in the abolitionist movement.

    The movement to end the slave trade had been particularly strong among Quakers, but the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade was founded in 1787 as a non-denominational group, with Anglican members, in order to directly influence the.

    At the time, Quakers were prohibited from being elected as MPs. Equiano had become a Methodist, having been influenced by George Whitefield’s evangelism in the New World.

    Equiano had a stressful life; he had suffered suicidal thoughts before he became a Protestant Christian and found peace in his faith.

    After settling in London, Equiano married an English woman named Susannah Cullen in 1792 and they had two daughters.

    Plaques commemorating his life have been placed at buildings where he lived in London. Since the late 20th century, when his autobiography was published in a new edition, he has been increasingly studied by a range of scholars, including many from his homeland.

  • The other side of social media

    The other side of social media

    Social media is one of the best things to have happened to this generation since sliced bread. Come to think of it, it has made communication and interaction easier and more convenient.

    By definition, social media is a computer mediated technology that facilitates the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career, interest and other forms of expression.

    It is growing rapidly and becoming a vital part of our everyday life.

    Our culture, norms and values are integral parts of who we are (our identity), what we feel connected to and how we behave.

    Social media plays a big role in our social interactions. We no longer need to be with our important others physically before we know what they are doing; all we need to do is connect to them on twitter or Facebook.

    Social media has become a prominent feature of life, especially among young people today.

    There is an undue pressure on young people financially, socially, psychologically and otherwise when they consistently compare themselves to others on social media platforms.

    This creates a feeling of inferiority complex among them. It is a major distraction to achieving their sets goals because it most times competes for their time and resources.

    Social media sometimes exposes us to avoidable threats and vices like addiction (drugs), violence, abuse, kidnap, assassination etc.

    Have you consciously sat down to analyse and estimate the total time you spend on social media?

    Social media affects our habits and decisions; to a reasonable extent, it operates on our subconscious because our minds have been filled with images of other people and we begin to feel pressure to outdo or be like them.

    Also, it has almost eroded our educational culture of spelling right and correctly because abbreviations have taken centre stage. Students can hardly make simple phrases like “…You’re welcome”, “…talk to you later”, “…happy birthday”, instead they would rather use these: “Ywc or U wlc”, “ttyl”, and “hbd” respectively.

    Young people have literally embraced bestial and decadent tendencies when they post photo of themselves or others under the influence of alcohol, wearing something revealing  body or even naked in other to get more ‘likes’ and flirty ‘comment’ calling themselves different names like *BITCH*

    A lot of relationships have hit the brick wall as a result of being seen in a compromising situation on social media.

    If you are not very disciplined, social media will distract you from the very important things in life – family, religion, school etc.

    In conclusion, people can only be affected by a thing if they allow it to affect them. Social media can influence our lives either for better or worse. It all comes down to the type of person you are.

    If you are a person who is easily swayed by all tom, dick and harry, then keep off.  We need to pay attention to our own life, we need not to be competitive and just enjoy the moment instead of showing off. We shouldn’t turn ourselves to social media ADDICT.