Presiding bishop of the Living Faith Church International aka Winners Chapel David Oyedepo has expressed support for social media regulation in Nigeria, saying it unconsciously robs the youth of their future.
Oyedepo said this on Friday at the seventh convocation of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State.
He had made similar remarks at an event at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State earlier this year.
Oyedepo’s comments came in the wake of the suspension placed on Twitter by the Federal Government which is reportedly plotting to regulate social media in the country.
Speaking further on the dangers of social media, the clergyman said, “It unconsciously robs people of their future by robbing them of their time — no time to think; no time to plan; no time to programme.
“This generation may lose her heroes to social media disaster. Here is one creeping serpent that is eating up the destinies of many individuals.
“We must wake up from our slumber to deal with this monster. Young people, beware! Addiction to social media is like addiction to drugs. It can render a whole destiny useless.
“This social media saga has eroded the substance of destiny of most youths today. What is supposed to be a plus has suddenly become a major minus because everything of value delivers through the investment of time.
“Suddenly, we are faced with a generation on the wrong side of history; the honour of this generation has been wiped off — chatting all day with no time left to think, plan, programme and engage productively in the pursuit of any task.
“Many youths spend less than 10 to 20 per cent of their time on their tasks per day. They can never match a generation that spends 70 per cent to 80 per cent of their time on their tasks.
“We must devise means to put a check on free access to social media, particularly those that are not adding values. Life is a race. Everyone should get on the track, ready for the run of their lives.”
