Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has cautioned young Nigerians against engaging in internet fraud, sports betting, and drug-related activities, stressing that such paths do not lead to lasting success.
Delivering a sermon titled “Understanding the Demands of Success” at Faith Tabernacle in Canaanland, Ota, on March 22, the cleric urged youths to embrace hard work, discipline, and legitimate means of livelihood.
“Young people! Computer scams, 9jabet and drug connections don’t create a future. You have no business with peddling drugs,” he said.
Oyedepo expressed concern over what he described as a rising culture of idleness and the pursuit of quick money, particularly among graduates. He warned that relying on parents for too long and refusing to take up productive work could negatively shape one’s future.
“Life only answers to workers. Don’t watch your life decay before your very eyes. Wake up and take responsibility,” he added.
Referencing biblical teachings such as Proverbs 14:23 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10, he emphasised that diligence is key to sustainable success, noting that “no one will ever taste success without putting his hands to work.”
To drive home his message, Oyedepo shared real-life examples, including a student who turned to fish farming after losing his father and later supported others, as well as a young Liberian who built a successful business starting as a shoe shiner.
He noted that engaging in productive work not only ensures financial stability but also supports mental and physical well-being.
“Working enhances man’s worth. There is dignity in labour. Work is not a curse,” he said, adding that “living without working is dying without knowing.”
The bishop also warned that academic qualifications can quickly lose value without continuous personal development, encouraging young people to acquire skills and remain actively engaged.
“Success does not belong to non-workers. It belongs to those engaging in productive labour,” he stated.
