₦airaland Forum

*Approval-Seeking vs. God-Given Calling*

Approval-seeking or fear-based hesitation happens when a person delays stepping into their calling because they are waiting for others to say,
“Yes, this is your calling.”

They’re not just seeking guidance, they’re seeking permission.
And this kind of delay is often rooted in fear of rejection, low self-esteem, or a need to be accepted before they move.

But here's the truth:
You are not called based on *public opinion*.
but based on His purpose for your life.



✅ Seeking Counsel is Different

Now, don’t confuse approval-seeking with wise counsel.
Seeking counsel is not weakness. It is wisdom.
It means you’re asking how to walk in your calling, not if you’re called.

In fact, seeking godly counsel can:

Strengthen your confidence

Provide strategy and structure

Help you overcome low self-esteem

Remind you that you’re not alone on the journey


But even after being affirmed, you may still not move
Why? Because affirmation alone doesn’t produce obedience.
At some point, you must choose courage over comfort.



Joseph Adetayo

Research conducted by Atoyebi and Atoyebi (2013), as cited in Joseph et al. (2019), established that a growing number of young people in Nigeria and around the world are increasingly involved in drug and substance abuse. According to Sumaina (2016), about 40% of young adults in Nigeria engage in drug and substance abuse across various parts of the country. Substances such as cocaine, heroin, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco have been identified as the most commonly abused among this population (Amosu, Ige & Ajala, 2010, as cited in Joseph et al., 2019).

Since this research was conducted in 2019—about six years ago—this percentage has drastically increased.

Even more worrisome is the rising consumption of alcohol and other substances such as Indian hemp, nicotine, ecstasy, and amphetamines among students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, a trend that appears to be gaining momentum daily (Adekeye, Adeusi, Chenube, Ahmadu, & Sholarin, 2015). Unfortunately, many of these substances are known gateways to more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine. Research has shown that these substances are harmful and capable of causing severe physical damage to the human body (Amosu, Ige & Ajala, 2010, in Joseph et al., 2019). For instance, smoking tobacco is responsible for 90% of lung cancers, 30% of all cancers, and 80% of chronic lung diseases. Despite health warnings, many individuals find it difficult to quit.

This is why one of our core responsibilities is to create awareness within communities.

We cannot allow this menace to continue.

#SayNoToDrugs
#StopDrugAbuse
#NoToDrugs
#DrugFreeGeneration
#FightDrugAbuse
#EndDrugAbuse
#BreakFreeFromDrugs
#DrugAbuseAwareness
#AddictionAwareness
#ChooseLifeNotDrugs
#TogetherAgainstDrugs
#YouthAgainstDrugs
#DrugFreeIsTheWay
#NoDrugsNoWorries
#HopeNotDope
#issup
#unodc

Research conducted by Atoyebi and Atoyebi (2013), as cited in Joseph et al. (2019), established that a growing number of young people in Nigeria and around the world are increasingly involved in drug and substance abuse. According to Sumaina (2016), about 40% of young adults in Nigeria engage in drug and substance abuse across various parts of the country. Substances such as cocaine, heroin, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco have been identified as the most commonly abused among this population (Amosu, Ige & Ajala, 2010, as cited in Joseph et al., 2019).

Since this research was conducted in 2019—about six years ago—this percentage has drastically increased.

Even more worrisome is the rising consumption of alcohol and other substances such as Indian hemp, nicotine, ecstasy, and amphetamines among students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, a trend that appears to be gaining momentum daily (Adekeye, Adeusi, Chenube, Ahmadu, & Sholarin, 2015). Unfortunately, many of these substances are known gateways to more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine. Research has shown that these substances are harmful and capable of causing severe physical damage to the human body (Amosu, Ige & Ajala, 2010, in Joseph et al., 2019). For instance, smoking tobacco is responsible for 90% of lung cancers, 30% of all cancers, and 80% of chronic lung diseases. Despite health warnings, many individuals find it difficult to quit.

This is why one of our core responsibilities is to create awareness within communities.

We cannot allow this menace to continue.

#SayNoToDrugs
#StopDrugAbuse
#NoToDrugs
#DrugFreeGeneration
#FightDrugAbuse
#EndDrugAbuse
#BreakFreeFromDrugs
#DrugAbuseAwareness
#AddictionAwareness
#ChooseLifeNotDrugs
#TogetherAgainstDrugs
#YouthAgainstDrugs
#DrugFreeIsTheWay
#NoDrugsNoWorries
#HopeNotDope
#issup
#unodc

Drug Abuse refers to the harmful use of mind-altering substances. The term generally applies to the misuse of illegal drugs, but it also includes the harmful use of legal or prescription drugs, especially in cases of self-medication.

Unfortunately, many Nigerian adolescents ignorantly rely on one form of drug or another for their daily activities—whether social, educational, political, or even moral. Commonly abused substances include tobacco, Indian hemp, cocaine, morphine, heroin, alcohol, ephedrine, Madras, caffeine, glue, barbiturates, and amphetamines (Oshikoya and Alli, 2016).

Adding to the crisis is the issue of fake drugs. Recently, someone shared online how her friend used a pregnancy care product and tragically lost her life. Whether it was due to self-medication or purchasing fake drugs, such incidents highlight the dangers we must confront.

We must raise our voices against drug abuse. It is a menace destroying lives, and together, we can fight it.

Joseph Adetayo

A call to volunteer!
I have been visiting schools to speak about career placements and attitudes. However, during one of the question-and-answer sessions, something shifted in me. A young boy raised his hand and asked, "Sir, can you help come talk to the youth in my environment? They are into drugs, and sometimes I’m sent to go buy it. It’s affecting me, sir."

I was broken. I know too well the psychological damage drug abuse can cause. That moment ignited a stronger vision in me to take a stand against drug abuse.

You can make a difference. By volunteering for this cause, you can help create awareness of the immoral acts that are destroying the potential of our youth. The World Health Organization (2016) defines drug or substance abuse as the harmful and risky use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol and illicit drugs. Several studies have revealed that students are among the highest-risk groups when it comes to drug abuse.

This is an invitation to volunteer with us or even start in your own home or community. Together, we can raise awareness, we can reach the youth, and we will win.

We may start small, but I believe we will be many—and united, we will overcome.
#Lagosstategovernment
#saynotodrugs
#nigerians
#StopDrugsAbuse
#ChooseFreeGeneration
#TogetherWecan
#BreakTheChain
#YouthAgainstDrugs
#Chooselife
#IssupNigeria

Drug abuse is becoming an increasing problem across the globe. Several studies carried out have shown that majority of the youths and teenagers have experimented on drugs. What causes concern is that a big proportion of these young people eventually get addicted which affects their health and safety, and at the same time affects their families and the society at large.

The issue of drug abuse is a major issue in every society in the whole world. Adolescents and youths, because of curiosity, are the most vulnerable in society with an increased risk of mental health problems and a risk of first exposure to substance use (WHO Mental Health Plan 2013-2020).
Join me as we campaign against drugs abuse

#StopDrugAbuse #ChooseLife #BreakTheChain #DrugFreeGeneration #YourLifeMatters #HopeOverAddiction #RiseAboveDrugs #YouthAgainstDrugs #TogetherWeCan