From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
A veteran musician and renowned Nigerian gospel Singer, Dr. Panam Percy Paul, has called on youths to shun Internet fraudulent practices otherwise known as ‘Yahoo yahoo’, saying it is the quickest way to ruin their destinies.
The gospel artiste who urged the youths to be focused and be self disciplined said a lot of youths in a bid to get rich quick through internet frauds and many ungodly practices have ruined their lives .
He said the youths should always cultivate the habit of hard work, resilience and the fear of God to achieve their dreams in life, adding that shortcuts to riches and fame are shortcuts to death.
He also said parents have greater roles to play in managing various stages of realising their children’s destinies
Dr. Paul stated this in his lecture titled tled, “Destiny: the 10 Phases of Life and the Human Development” delivered at the 16th Distinguished Lecture series of the Federal University, Lokoja, on Wednesday.
The Veteran Musician who was of the view that Destiny is a source of inspiration in human development, maintained that the teenagers face almost endless obstacles in their everyday life that block them out and make them feel confused and frustrated.
He specifically emphasized that the most critical stage of parents role in moulding their children’s destiny is at teenage age.
“This stage is, sincerely, a sensible period of life, where the teenager builds his or her personality, and every action and inaction, especially by parents, have a big influence on teens positively or negatively.
“Teenagers have their own dreams, objectives and ambitions. For the teenage season, both dreams and visions are creative, as well as divine.
“This season of dreams and visions opens up a completely new world to a person whose consciousness was never about himself but his environment. In this phase of life, the teenager would appear to be the most selfish and needs to be guided by parents
“The teenager is in the state of absolute independence. Dreams of the future are formed at this age, almost as though that were the present reality”
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, described Dr. Panam’s lecture as very significant because it bridges two vital dimensions of human experience—spirituality and scholarship.
“Dr. Panam, we deeply appreciate your kind acceptance of our invitation to deliver this lecture, despite your very busy schedule.
“Your willingness to share with us today is a testament to your love for humanity and your commitment to shaping lives beyond the pulpit and the concert stage. Thank you for honouring our invitation.
“This lecture is coming at a time when young people, particularly our students, are seeking meaning, purpose, and clarity in the face of uncertainty.
“It is our hope that today’s message will awaken something deeper in all of us—that it will inspire, challenge, and help us navigate the different seasons of life with renewed faith and courage.”