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Steer Clear Of Gambling, Motivational Speaker Advises Youths
A motivational speaker, ThankGod Wanyanwu has advised the 21st century youths to shun gambling, describing it as a destructive lifestyle.
Wanyanwu, who gave his advice while sharing his experiences in gambling in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the youths should embrace the positive aspects of information and digital knowledge as opposed to meddling on the wrong information, which he said had devastating consequences on their future.
He warned on the dangers of amassing wealth at all cost by killing somebody or spilling blood to make money, stressing that if the youths worked hard, stay consistent and patient, their efforts would be crowned with success.
“The 21st century is information and digital knowledge era. But sadly, some youth dwell and meddle more on the wrong information which has devastating consequences on their future. Many youths in this century are only interested in getting result without examination, amassing wealth at any cost whether it means killing somebody or spilling blood to make money, they don’t care. They are easily influenced negatively by peer pressure.You hear them saying: my mates are married, my mate has this car or house, and therefore, I must get my own, but refuse to acknowledge that some of their mates are also lying six feet in the graveyard as a result of one thing or the other.
“Life is not a competition but an expressway and overtaking is allowed. A wise man once said and I quote ‘Results happen overtime, not overnight. Work hard, stay consistent and be patient for your time will surely come’,” the young author admonished.
Stating that over 60million Nigerians within the ages of 18 to 60 were into gambling, the Rukpokwu-born motivational speaker and role model, described gambling as a chronic cancer, which spreads its roots deep and wide and ruins the gambler’s complete life, including mental health, peace, financial state and family life.
To impress upon youths the dangers of gambling, Wanyanwu narrated his experience of gambling while in college at an Indian university.
He said, “I grew up not liking soccer until the year 2014 when I was in college at Mahatma Gandhi University, India.
I thought I had discovered my true potential immediately I developed interest in soccer, because I was able to predict score lines (CS), and they turned out exactly as I had predicted. I always send weekend predictions to my fan-base group on social media and the results were amazingly true for them. It made me full of myself and I thought it is my true talent.Then, I started gambling in naïveté with my pocket money and feeding money that would have been used for other meaningful ventures. Soon, I became addicted to gambling and daily football betting. I lost interest in my spiritual activities because I was focused on this evil scheme that almost took my life but for the grace of God.”
The information technology expert stressed that gambling had taken the lives of many youths, giving an example with the recent case of a young graduate (name withheld) who set himself ablaze with fuel after wasting so much money in gambling and could not stand the pressure and consequences of his lifestyle, according to his suicide note.
“His death shattered the hopes of his parents,” he lamented, stressing that this was one among many cases in the society due to gambling addiction.
Wanyanwu disclosed that he made a U-turn from gambling when he encountered Jesus Christ in 2016, who opened his eyes to the dangers of the trade.
He stressed that gambling was not handiwork, nor talent or skill, describing it as fake potential that was unchristian.
He urged the 21st century youths to embrace a lifestyle that pleased God, that bears good fruits and dedicate their lives to knowing God.
He also advised youths to make good living by becoming lesson teacher, selling artistic work, being a service provider (freelancer) being digital producer, a blogger, being a shareholder in a company, becoming a forex trader and investor, and becoming talent hunter by learning handiwork.
By: Lily Igoniwari
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.