King's Youths

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King's Youths A group of young people committed to equipping other youths to model Christlike character.

...sight and scene of grace

TEEN PREGNANCY
By Esther Benson

Teen pregnancy can be defined as a pregnancy in a pubertal human female under the age of 20, i.e. between the ages of 13-19. Or it can be defined as an unintended pregnancy during adolescence.

“Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are.’’ That is a saying that affects teens in our time. Pressurised by friends, who have started having affair s*xually with the other gender and telling them about their “boy-friends” as well as things they get from them, so they feel left out or uncivilised and give in—feeling they have needs to be met that their parent cannot fulfill. And this may lead to them being exploited by boys/older men through r**e/s*xual abuse that can lead to teenage pregnancy.

Lack of knowledge is another factor affecting teens. Our teens get themselves involve in acquiring information from videos, movies, books and the social media e.t.c. which teach them what they are not suppose to know, making them focus way too much on emotions, mode of dressing and their social acceptance among friends. Trying to go with the trends of “what is going on now” it leads them to dressing to kill, i.e. provocatively and seductively. We cannot say parents are not trying their best to tutor teens how to live rightly and not imitating people they see, read or hear about. But we all know that teens are not always with their parents, rather they spent the bulk of their time with friends and imbibe the fashion sense that shows off their busts, buttocks, thighs, tummies and what have you—causing undue arousal among men folks, and as such exposing themselves to r**e and other s*xual assaults.

Another cause of teen pregnancy is the lack of self-satisfaction. Female teens are often not satisfied with what they have or been given by their parents, because they want to be like their friends—using expensive clothes, phones, shoes, jewelry e.t.c. Meanwhile, unlike them, these friends may have parents who could afford these expensive clothes and accessories or have other means of getting money (e.g. from sugar-daddies or boy-friends). This lack of contentment makes teens dissatisfied with their simple belongings and desperate to get luxuries at any cost. Even to the extent of going out with men who will in turn take advantage of their vulnerability and exposed them to early pre-marital s*x.

What of lack of parental guidance and support? Nowadays, parents will always say they are too busy with their jobs and businesses and refuse to attend to their female teens at home. They leave home very early in the morning and return late at night and by so doing create communication gap between them and their teenage female children. Most times parents try to evade s*x education issues or in some cases wrongly inform their children and discourage them from participating in any godly informative discussions in that line. Teenagers are eager to know certain things about their make-up. And when their parents, especially mothers, are too busy for them, they go out to seek advice elsewhere, be it from friends, strangers or teachers who will end-up misleading, if not exploit them.

Parents further enhance teen pregnancy when they send their female children on nightly errands at ungodly hours exposing them to r**es and other vices. Others do this by sending teens hawking and opening them up at a very tender age to the luring of bad gangs, prostitutes, thieves and hooligans who sly lurk around enticing them with money, gifts and sugar-coated mouths all in the bid to disrupt their set goals and God-given dreams.

Unfortunately, teenage pregnancy affects lives by causing loss of integrity and value. It is also a sin against God and attracts curses; as such affairs are meant for married couples in the bound of holy matrimony and blessings. Giving birth out of wed-lock brings emotional crisis, fear, shame and inability to express oneself.

Conclusively, teens should be contented what they have and have set goals and objectives for themselves. Parents should also try to educate their children in the way of the Lord and how to work rightly in it; telling them that their body is the temple of God and should not be misused but rather to wait for the appropriate time. Also parents should educate their teenage children on s*x education and always ensure that they have time for them—giving them something to love and live for other than procreation. Teenagers should avoid having illicit relationships like boy-friends, girl-friends and sugar daddies relationships. They should cease from reading corrupt books and magazines, watching immoral movies, videos and walking around late at night in provocative or seductive dresses. Most of all I encourage all teenagers to draw closer to God and fear him in everything they do!!

To God be the glory!

History was made last week as a number of vibrant young people participated at the maiden edition of Kingdom Advancement Youth Conference 2013—tagged MAXIMIZE—between Thursday may 23 and Saturday May 25 at the Club Hall of Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, Abeokuta—Ogun state. God indeed showed forth praise out the mouth of babes!

The conference saw in attendance over 60 people comprising of young school leavers, secondary and tertiary students as well as artisans. The camping programme featured speakers like Ade Dacosta (School of Virtue), Mrs. Jadesola Adepeju (Christian Missionary Fellowship), Mr. Adekoya Kolapo (CEO, Colaps Psych-Edu Consultancy Firm), Mr. Dara Akande (Co-founder--fortesms.com, IT Consultant, Web designer & developer) and a host of other facilitators.

Talks, Seminar, Workshop and Sporting activities equally characterized the programme.

We believe God has sown a good seed in the lives of every participant, and as we expect Him to multiply those fruits, we like all participants to kindly share their testimonies and experiences in the course of the programme as a way of maximizing the impact and extending the same to other young people.

Maximize your potentials and be all that God wants you to be in the maiden Edition of KingzYOUTHS Conference...

May 23-25, 2013
Registration: NGN1,200
First 10 Registration pays NGN1,000

God has given to our generation as a gift and He says, "Let nothing be wasted" John 6:12

Ready or Not? Find out where you on the checklist of life and fulfilment in the coming edition of Kingdom Singles' Forum on November 7th, 2012.

Why bore headlong through the forest in search for a path when you can ask those who’s been there? Attend the Platform!
Register on http://www.theplatformnigeria.com/register

The Platform This is the Official Page of The Platform Nigeria. The Platform Nigeria is a Non-Profit initiative of Covenant Christian Centre which is geared primarily to improving the individuals of Nigeria and the world.

THE ADMIRER'S ORDEAL

Never has enthusiasm got exciting as it did while I was preparing for my West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). I still can't explain where the sudden confidence came from. I was filled with great optimism and a determination to excel, so much so that I got a sheet of paper to write down my desired results—5 As (Mathematics inclusive) and 3 Credits. This optimism didn't just stop at day dreaming; it was followed with practical steps. I purchased Past Questions & Answers Booklet for as many subjects as I could lay my hands on and embarked on a daily practise.

As the day of the examination drew near, it was the more exciting as my daily practise had translated into an improved performance average of 70% in key subjects, especially in Mathematics. I was determining to break the jinx. “Why wouldn’t an A1 be possibly in mathematics,” I asked. I practised all the “Distance Bearing” there was with particular attention to the classic piece of the year before. “Bring it on!” I repeatedly exclaimed. I was set. I didn’t just hope for the best; I was prepared for the very best.

A week to the exam, while preparing for the final round of revision, something cropped up. Something unexpected, I must confess. It threatened to kill my joy and ruin my excitement of victory. It was my cousin, my distant cousin. After failing to have me inform my parents of the ‘Complementary Packager that would see students being helped through the exams by School officials at a price, decided to visit my home to do it herself. My mum was furious I didn't ask her to enroll me for it, but I denied ever learning of it, and equally sworn not to be a part to such dirty scheme. But why would I refuse so ‘legal’ an offer? This was WASSCE we are talking about here; the almighty ‘Baba Yaba’ as it is popularly dreaded among students. One’s hope of tertiary education could as well halt at this point. ‘Wasn’t everyone doing it?” “Wasn’t it the School Management idea of aiding their students who have been placed at a disadvantage by series of strike and frequent changes of key subject teachers?” “Or was I a believer?”

Well, my refusal wasn’t religious, as I wasn’t a Christian at this time. Neither was I financially restrained, my parents could comfortably afford the bill. But my philosophy on cheating started about a year before, when I met my Physics Teacher in SSS 2. He did more than mere class-work, he taught us morals. He trained us to believe in ourselves and to be independent. He taught us the dignity of labour and the joy of self-sufficiency. The end of each Physics topics were followed by a Test that he would organise as early as 7:00am, well ahead the General Student Assembly for 8:00am. This would allow us have the entire block to ourselves, and a desk (originally meant for four) per student. Under this condition, cheating became practically impossible, leaving us with just one route of escape—Hard work. My parents could not but note my sudden late night candles and my rising early for school. It would still pay-off. Like the writer of Ecclesiastics, we were soon to “found great pleasure in hard work.” We were all surprised at our sudden improvement with every test, and it encouraged us to put in even more. The line between the best brains and the one-time average in the class was practically fading away. The class became more competitive, and we loved it—we loved him even more. Come to think of it, our newly found lifestyle didn’t just end at Physics classes, it caught across other subjects. Be it Chemistry or Mathematics, our approach was the same. We were hot! So much hot that even without invigilation we still would hardly cheat. He trained us well; he was our hero.

So when my mother eventually dragged me to school later that evening, I was left with one other option, or better still, a single hope—my hero. After all, if he could change the mindset of over 70 young adults, he should have no problem making my mum adopt our ‘No Cheating’ philosophy. More so, he has the testimony of our improved performance as proof of his argument. As we entered the school premises, I quickly scan out for him before my mother could make any enquiry. But that was not to be, I couldn’t find him. “My hope is sleeping away,” I thought. No, it wasn’t; my mum has just been directed towards his office. That’s all I needed. It’s looking better than I thought. But that was also the office of the vice-principal. Could we have been directed to the vice-principal? “It’s really not getting better,” I thought again.

On entering the office, he was on seat—my hero was seated. You only need to imagine the excitement I felt and the look on my face. It was as if I’ve seen an angel. But what could be more, he was an angel—my angel. He made me see what no-one else has been able to—strength and faith in myself. That's not mean; it's a fundamental discovery for human existence and good self-esteem. So when my mother asked him if he was the one in charge of the ‘Complementary Package,’ I had no problem predicting his response. But I have never been wrong, I have never been this wrong. “Madam, your son is one of my students. If there's anyone that needs the complementary package, your son needs it more.” With those words coming out of my hero's mouth, I was dumbfounded. My heart jump into my mouth, my ‘glo-pride’ vanished. I didn't know whether to smile or frown, to stand or run; I was in total disarray. Worst still is the stand to take. The man that taught me all I was standing and vehemently opposing my mum for was defiling this hard earn integrity right in front of me. I was hoping to do him proud, but he would prefer pounds, naira, in exchange for the morals he taught. I no longer know who I am or what I stand for. I don't know what choice to make.

HAVE YOU LEARNT ANYTHING FROM THIS ORDEAL OF MINE? WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER DO, IF YOU WERE TO BE IN MY SHOE?

A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL HAD HER DAD AND PASTOR ARRESTED FOR PREVENTING HER FROM ATTENDING PARTY:

Founder and senior Pastor of World Changers Church in the United States, Rev. Creflo Dollar, was arrested early last Friday after authorities say he slightly hurt his 15-year-old daughter at his home.

Reports have it that the pastor and his daughter were arguing over whether she could go to a party when, according to the pastor, “the daughter [started] being very disrespectful...[and hit his Dad who happens to be his pastor]”
CNN reports that the pastor slammed the girl to the ground...and beat her with his shoe. The girl was eventually able to break free and call 911 (the Police).

Does this sound strange? I won’t be surprise if this news sounds strange, because, in Nigeria, a child would not have his parents arrested for having disciplined him. But are there certain times (or particular incidents) where we (or someone we know) felt our parents have disciplined us wrongly and wished we could get back at them for revenge? If yes, could you please share with us? What was the most painful part of the incident? And as at the time of your anger then, what came to your mind to do in revenge to your parents? How best would you prefer your parents to discipline you?

It’s the youth thing and we’ll appreciate if you’re very sincere, honest and direct. Please endeavour to attempt the five (5) questions. We’ll draw our conclusions after we must have received your various comments. Start commenting NOW.

You’re loved!

KACY...together, making progress!