By Rosemary Etim Bassey

How would you explain corruption to a teenager?

Corruption can be described as the abuse of a privileged position for personal gain. People often think corruption exists only in the public sector, but that is not true. It can happen in families, private organisations, or anywhere there is a position of trust. Whether you are a father, mother, child, teacher or public officer, if you abuse the power entrusted to you for your own benefit or for the benefit of others, you are engaging in corruption. For children, corruption basically involves dishonesty, lack of integrity and the absence of moral values.

At the teenage level, can corruption be seen in actions such as cheating in examinations, bribing for grades or lying about qualifications?

Absolutely. Those actions clearly describe corruption in real life. Once a person is dishonest, they can easily engage in cheating, lying and other forms of misconduct. The foundation of corruption is a lack of honesty, integrity and moral values. Cheating in examinations is a form of criminal behaviour, and it all begins with dishonesty.

Online scams and internet fraud are becoming increasingly common among teenagers and young people. What advice would you give teenagers to avoid getting involved in such activities?

We cannot ignore the fact that this is the digital age. The present generation was born into technology. Unlike my generation, which had to adapt to computers later in life, today’s children grow up surrounded by digital devices.

Unfortunately, while they were learning how to use technology, society’s moral values were declining. Many young people learned how to use technology without learning how to use it honestly.

That is why cybercrime has evolved from simple email scams to Yahoo, Yahoo Plus and even more dangerous forms involving ritual beliefs and organised crime.

Technology itself is not the problem. It is a useful tool that can greatly benefit society. The problem is using it dishonestly.

We need to teach children to use digital platforms responsibly. Social media, for example, has both positive and negative sides. Fake news is everywhere today, and sometimes it is difficult to know what to believe.

Government, parents and society must place greater emphasis on teaching children the positive use of technology so they embrace its benefits instead of its dangers.

Do you think giving children early access to social media, gadgets and money contributes to these problems? Should parents monitor them more closely, especially considering the flashy lifestyle often displayed online?

Yes, it can be a contributing factor, but access itself is not the real problem. Take Japan, for example. Children are introduced to technology from a very young age because there is a clear purpose behind it. They are taught how to use it productively.

In our own society, many parents buy expensive gadgets simply as status symbols. We should ask ourselves why we are giving our children these devices.

If I give my child an iPhone, am I simply buying it to take pictures, or am I guiding them on how to use it responsibly?

Parents must supervise what children do online. Many children are exposed to cybercrime and even the dark web at very young ages because nobody is guiding them. During one of our cybercrime sensitisation programmes, I discovered that many parents simply hand children devices without any supervision. Technology can be used positively or negatively. That is why children need guided access. If you do not introduce technology to them responsibly at home, they will learn about it elsewhere, possibly in unhealthy ways. It is better to introduce it yourself and guide them properly.

What values and habits should teenagers develop to become responsible and trustworthy adults?

This question brings me to one of the major things we do at the ICPC.

We realised that children are both our present and our future, so we deliberately focused on teaching values. Working with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and other stakeholders, we developed the National Values Curriculum.

The curriculum promotes twelve important values, including:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Contentment
• Discipline
• Self-control
• Respect
• Right attitude to work
• Citizenship
• National consciousness
• Courage
• Justice
• Responsibility

A contented child, for example, will not envy what others have or think of stealing.

These values were infused into subjects like English language, business studies, religious studies and civic education so that children would learn them naturally throughout their education.

We also established anti-corruption clubs in primary and secondary schools, the Student Anti-Corruption Vanguard (SAV) in tertiary institutions and similar programmes within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

What children learn today stays with them throughout life. As the Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he grows up, he will not depart from it.”

How can children participate in the fight against corruption even though they are not in positions of authority?

The fight against corruption belongs to everyone. Children can join anti-corruption clubs in primary and secondary schools. University students can join the Student Anti-Corruption Vanguard, while corps members can participate through Community Development Service groups.

As they grow older and begin working, they can also become involved through anti-corruption and transparency units in government institutions.

Every Nigerian has three responsibilities:

• Reject corruption.
• Resist corruption.
• Report corruption.

If you see corruption and ignore it, then corruption continues unchecked.

Parents should also model these values because children learn from what they see.

Looking back at your own teenage years, what lesson about honesty or integrity has stayed with you throughout your career?

One lesson that stayed with me came from my parents. Whenever I was leaving home, especially when I went to university, they would always tell me, “Remember whose son you are. Don’t let anyone call us to a police station.” Those words guided my decisions.

At university, I was invited by some friends to become involved in counterfeiting Nigerian currency. They asked me to obtain mercury because my father worked at the mint. Instead of helping them, I told my father what had happened. He advised me to stay away from them. Eventually, those individuals were arrested. During investigations, my name came up because they had approached me, but I was cleared because I never became involved. Later, while at my former place of work, I also faced opportunities to engage in dishonest practices involving advertising commissions. I refused because I had been taught integrity from childhood. Those same values eventually led me to join the ICPC.

Parents must understand that the values they teach today shape the future of their children. Personally, I do not allow my son unrestricted access to the internet while he is still in secondary school. If he needs to use the internet for schoolwork, he does so under our supervision. Technology is essential, but children need guidance so they can use it responsibly without losing their values.

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Cooking is often seen as an art, a dash of this and a pinch of that, while mathematics is viewed as a subject of numbers and formulas. But the truth is, the kitchen is one of the best places to see maths in action. From measuring ingredients and setting timers to dividing portions and adjusting recipes, maths quietly shapes every meal we prepare.

Here are some ways maths makes cooking possible.

Ratios: The recipe for success

Every recipe is built on ratios. A simple vinaigrette, for example, is usually made with three parts oil to one part vinegar. Bread recipes rely on carefully balanced proportions of flour, water, yeast and salt. When you double or halve a recipe, you are using multiplication and division. However, not every ingredient should be increased at exactly the same rate. Ingredients such as yeast and baking powder often need slight adjustments to achieve the best results.

Geometry on your plate

Geometry appears in surprising places, even in the way food is cut and served. A pizza sliced into triangles is easy to hold and share, while square slices, common in Sicilian-style pizzas, create a different eating experience.The size and shape of cookies, cakes and pastries also affect how evenly they bake. A thicker cookie may remain soft in the middle, while a thinner one becomes crisp throughout.

Heat makes the difference

Cooking is also a science of heat. Heat moves from the outside of food to the inside, which is why meat continues to cook even after it is removed from the oven. Different ingredients react to heat in different ways. Butter, sugar and water each absorb heat differently, affecting the texture of cakes, pastries and other baked treats.

Timing is everything

Anyone who has burnt toast knows that timing matters. The browning of food happens through chemical reactions that speed up as temperature increases.

Just an extra minute in the oven can turn perfectly baked cookies into burnt ones. That’s why following cooking times closely is so important.

Smart shopping starts with maths

Maths begins long before you start cooking. Comparing prices, calculating cost per serving and deciding how much food to buy all require basic mathematical skills. For example, if three people each need a six-ounce serving of chicken, you’ll need at least 18 ounces in total. These simple calculations help reduce waste and save money.

Measuring for great flavour

Seasoning is all about balance. Too little salt can leave food tasting bland, while too much can overpower an entire dish. Careful measuring helps cooks achieve the right flavour every time. Even a “pinch” has an approximate measurement, about 1/16 of a teaspoon.

Maths gives creativity a strong foundation

Maths doesn’t take the fun out of cooking; it makes creativity possible. Once you understand measurements, timing and proportions, you can confidently experiment with new recipes and flavours. So the next time you bake a birthday cake, make pancakes or brew a cup of coffee, remember that you’re doing more than cooking. You’re using maths to create something delicious.

The post The secret ingredient: Why math is the flavour behind every bite appeared first on Teen Trust News.

A mobile phone is a portable device primarily used for communication, internet access and entertainment. In today’s digital age, it has evolved from being a luxury to becoming an everyday necessity. For many teenagers, smartphones are the main gateway to social interaction, learning and entertainment. However, beneath this convenience lies a growing concern. Excessive smartphone use can harm teenagers by affecting their mental health, distracting them from their studies and encouraging unhealthy habits.

One of the most alarming effects of excessive smartphone use is its impact on young people’s mental health. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to the pressures of social media, where they often compare their everyday lives with the carefully edited highlights of others. This constant comparison can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety and body image issues. In addition, many social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged through features such as endless scrolling and constant notifications, making it difficult for teenagers to disconnect. Cyberbullying also exposes many young people to emotional distress that can follow them wherever they go.

Smartphones can also interfere with learning and academic performance. Frequent notifications and the temptation to check messages or social media make it difficult for students to concentrate for long periods. As a result, their attention spans may become shorter, making it harder to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Even when a smartphone is not in use, its presence nearby can distract students, reducing their focus and affecting their ability to retain information.

Excessive smartphone use may also encourage a sedentary lifestyle. Instead of engaging in outdoor activities, reading or spending time with family and friends, many teenagers spend hours on their devices. Over time, this can reduce productivity and limit opportunities for physical activity and personal development.

In conclusion, while smartphones provide valuable benefits such as communication, access to information and improved safety, their excessive use can have serious consequences for teenagers. Parents, teachers and carers should encourage healthy screen habits and set reasonable limits to help young people enjoy the benefits of technology without compromising their well-being, education or personal growth.

The post The digital toll: Why smartphones harm more than they help teenagers appeared first on Teen Trust News.

Teachers play an important role in our lives. They help us gain knowledge, develop good character and build confidence. A teacher does much more than teach lessons in the classroom; they guide, encourage and inspire students to become better people.

Every day, teachers work hard to make learning enjoyable and meaningful. They help us understand difficult subjects and support us whenever we face challenges. Because of their dedication, students are able to learn, grow and prepare for a brighter future.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my teacher for helping me learn and grow. Thank you for your patience, kindness and dedication. You always take the time to explain lessons clearly and encourage me to do my best. Your guidance has helped me improve my knowledge, skills and confidence.

I truly appreciate the care and effort you put into teaching me every day. Your support, advice and encouragement mean so much to me, and I am grateful for everything you do to help me succeed.

Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher. Your hard work and commitment to your students do not go unnoticed. You have made a positive impact on my life and helped shape my future. I am thankful for the lessons you have taught me, both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for believing in me, supporting me and inspiring me to achieve my goals. I pray that you continue to enjoy good health, happiness and success in all that you do.

The post A tribute to my teacher appeared first on Teen Trust News.

Think of nature as one big team. Just like a football team needs goalkeepers, defenders, and strikers, nature needs different plants and animals to do different jobs. If one member of the team disappears, the whole system can be affected.

Take bees, for example. Their job is to collect nectar from flowers. While doing this, they also carry pollen from one flower to another. This process, called pollination, helps many plants produce fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Without bees, many of the foods we eat would become much harder to grow.

Earthworms may not look exciting, but they are excellent gardeners. They dig through the soil, making it loose so that air and water can reach plant roots. Their work helps plants grow stronger and healthier.

Birds also play many important roles. Some birds eat insects that damage crops, helping farmers protect their farms. Others spread seeds by dropping them in different places after eating fruits. This helps new trees and plants grow in many areas.

Even spiders are helpful. Although some people are afraid of them, spiders catch flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. This helps reduce pests that can spread diseases or damage plants.

Larger animals also have important responsibilities. Elephants create paths through forests, making it easier for other animals to move around. Hippos help keep rivers healthy, while fish help maintain balance in lakes and oceans.

Tiny creatures like ants are hard-working cleaners. They help break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil. This process keeps the environment clean and supports new plant life.

Even animals that hunt other animals have an important purpose. Predators help control the number of certain animals so that no single species becomes too many. This keeps nature balanced.

Humans also have a special job. We must protect nature by planting trees, keeping our surroundings clean, saving water, and caring for animals. When we pollute the environment or destroy forests, we make it harder for many creatures to do their jobs.

Every animal, bird, insect, and plant has a purpose, no matter how big or small. Nature works best when every living thing can play its part.

The next time you see a butterfly on a flower, an ant carrying food, or a bird building its nest, remember that it is doing an important job. Nature is like a giant puzzle, and every creature is a valuable piece. By protecting them, we help protect our beautiful world for ourselves and for future generations.

The post Why every creature has a job in nature appeared first on Teen Trust News.

Self-confidence means believing in yourself and your abilities. It does not mean thinking you are better than everyone else. Instead, it means believing that you can learn, improve, and overcome challenges, even if you make mistakes along the way.

One of the best ways to build confidence is by trying new things. You may not be good at something the first time you do it, and that’s perfectly okay. Every expert was once a beginner. Whether it is swimming, dancing, painting, or solving maths problems, practice helps you improve. The more you try, the more confident you become.

Another way to grow your confidence is by celebrating small achievements. You don’t have to win a trophy to feel proud. Finishing your homework on time, reading a new book, learning a new word, or helping someone are all achievements worth celebrating. Every small success reminds you that you are capable.

It is also important to believe in positive words. Sometimes people are too hard on themselves. Instead of saying, “I can’t do it,” try saying, “I will keep trying.” Positive words help your brain believe that success is possible. They give you courage to keep going even when things are difficult.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are not failures—they are lessons. If you fall while learning to ride a bicycle, you get up and try again. Every mistake teaches you something new and helps you become stronger and wiser.

Surround yourself with kind and encouraging people. Friends, parents, teachers, and family members who believe in you can help you believe in yourself too. They remind you of your strengths and encourage you when you feel discouraged.

Taking care of your body also helps build confidence. Eating healthy food, exercising, getting enough sleep, and keeping yourself clean can make you feel energetic and ready to face each day.

Remember that everyone is unique. You do not need to compare yourself with others. Some children are good at sports; others are great at music, art, science, or storytelling. Your talents are special because they belong to you.

Most importantly, believe that you are always growing. Confidence is like a plant, it grows little by little with care, patience, and practice.

Every day is a new chance to learn something, try something, and believe in yourself a little more. When you choose courage over fear and effort over giving up, you become stronger from the inside out. True confidence begins with believing that you are enough and that you can always keep improving.

The post How to build self-confidence appeared first on Teen Trust News.

Let’s be real.  

Everyone wants to “blow.” Everyone wants likes, admission, money, and respect.  

But here’s the truth no one posts: Talent gets you in the room. Values keep you there.

So what are values?

Values are your personal rules. Your “this is me” code.  

It’s what you do when no teacher, parent, or camera is watching.  

Examples: Honesty, Respect, Hard work, Discipline, Integrity, Kindness.

Think of values like GPS. Without it, you’ll follow any crowd, any trend, any “fast way” and end up lost.

Why should you care now?

You’re in secondary school, JSS, SS1, SS2, SS3. WAEC, NECO, JAMB are coming.  

Social media is loud. “Cruise” is calling. “Expo” is whispering. “Everyone is doing it” is shouting.

Without values, you’ll:  

1. Cheat to pass, then struggle in 100 level
2. Post anything for clout, then regret it later  
3. Betray friends just to “belong”

With values, you’ll:  

1. Sleep well because your conscience is clear
2. Build trust with teachers, parents, and future bosses  
3. Become the kind of person people want to work with

Story Time: Two Texts, Two Futures

Day before WAEC. Two DMs land.

Text 1: “Bro, expo is 5k. Just copy and chill.”

Text 2: “Bro, let’s do 2hrs past questions tonight. I believe in us.”

Friend A chose Text 1. His result was cancelled.  

Friend B chose Text 2. He passed and got a scholarship.

Same pressure. Different values. Different future.

Your 3 Non-Negotiables This Term

1. INTEGRITY: If you can’t tell your principal, don’t do it.
2. DISCIPLINE: Scroll later. Read now. Future you is begging you.
3. RESPECT: For yourself, your books, your time, and people.

This week’s task: The Value Check

Write down 3 values you refuse to compromise on this term.  

Put it on your wall, locker, or phone wallpaper.  

Every night, ask: “Did I live by them today?

Quick quiz: what’s your value score

1. Your friend offers to copy in exam. You:  
2. a) Say yes  b) Say “No, let’s read together”  c) Ignore and keep quiet  
3. You see money on the ground in class. You:  
4. a) Keep it  b) Ask teacher to announce it  c) Use it and pray no one saw  
5. You’re tired but have JAMB practice. You:  
6. a) Sleep  b) Do 25 mins then rest  c) Scroll “just 5 mins”

Mostly B’s = Value Champion. Mostly A/C = Time to reset.

Final word

The world will test you. Trends will tempt you.  

But don’t trade your character for a moment.  

Because when the noise dies down, only your values will speak for you. 

What value will YOU stand for this week?

The post Values: Your invisible superpower  appeared first on Teen Trust News.

After dismantling all before them at this World Cup, France had to find a new way to win to keep alive their dream of regaining the trophy they last lifted in 2018. Their 1-0 victory over Paraguay was hard earned.

Paraguay had won over neutrals by causing a major shock in the last 32, knocking out Germany on penalties.

But, in a bad-tempered match in the punishing Philadelphia heat, they showed their ugly side.

Andres Cubas escaped a booking after clattering into Adrien Rabiot. Juan Jose Caceres kicked out at Kylian Mbappe, and that went unpunished too.

Astonishingly, while Les Bleus players Manu Kone, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise were all cautioned, not one Paraguay player was booked. Not even when Gabriel Avalos dropped his elbow into the stomach of Dayot Upamecano when Paraguay were chasing the game.

“It was embarrassing to see,” former England defender Micah Richards told BBC One.

“Paraguay are better than that. Defensively they were so good and they didn’t need to get into these antics.”

France’s victory secured a quarter-final date with Morocco at Boston Stadium on Thursday (21:00 BST kick-off).

The decisive moment came with 20 minutes left when Diego Gomez stuck out his leg to bring down Desire Doue. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev – whose overall performance was widely criticised for being too weak – reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor, and awarded a penalty.

Even then, Paraguay’s players crowded the Uzbek official in an attempt to delay the penalty kick, while Gustavo Velazquez tried to scuff the penalty spot before Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the tournament to go level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

“There were some insults from the other bench we could have done without,” said France boss Didier Deschamps in his news conference afterwards.

Even after the full-time whistle, there was a scuffle as Velazquez attempted to confront France players.

“Paraguay tried to wind up the France players, little shoves and nudges but not enough to get a yellow card,” former Scotland winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Every single dark art you can use.”

What were Paraguay’s ‘dirty tricks’?

Gustavo Velazquez kicked the penalty spot to try to scuff it up before Kylian Mbappe’s penalty

Dayot Upamecano received an elbow in the ribs

Matias Galarza put his hand in Jules Kounde’s face

Galarza went down when Michael Olise grabbed his shirt to get him booked

Andres Cubas went through Adrien Rabiot with a poor tackle.

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Former African champions, D’Tigers finished the latest qualifying window on Sunday, July 5, without defeat after walloping Rwanda 106-62 points to secure a spot in the Second Round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African qualifiers.

Group C matches of the qualifiers featuring Nigeria, Guinea, Tunisia and Rwanda were hosted in Luanda, Angola.

In the Angolan capital, Nigeria caused an upset by beating high-flying group leaders Guinea 80-79 and Tunisia 84-81.

The D’Tigers’ dominant performance over Rwanda yesterday was the largest winning margin at that stage of the 2027 World Cup African Qualifiers campaign.

They overcame their 1–2 win–loss record from the first round of Group C, played in November, to advance to the second round of the qualifiers for the 12 teams with an encouraging 4–2 record.

More importantly, Nigeria went into the clash against Rwanda with a point differential of -14, but left with +30.

Teams moving on to the second round carry their points from the group stages, and each team will play six games in August and March 2027.

Caleb Agada and Ike Iroegbu sank three three-pointers in the first minute of the game, and Nigeria went on to lead by as many as 46 points.

 “We spoke about it the day before the game. The point differential matters for the next round and coaches emphasised it a lot,” said Stan Okoye who contributed 13 points off the bench.

“We came out with a few different schematics defensively. Our guys did an incredible job limiting some of their better players from getting the type of looks that they normally get,” said Nigeria coach David Vanterpool.

Okoye was delighted with Nigeria’s campaign in Luanda. “Going home 3-0 feels amazing, but the job is not done,” said the 35-year-old forward who first donned the Nigeria jersey at the 2013 AfroBasket in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

The MoraBanc Andorra star was one of the few players in the current roster who featured in the first three games in Tunisia in November when D’Tigers suffered two consecutive losses to Tunisia and Guinea, before barely scraping a single win against Rwanda.

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With Casemiro leaving after his contract expired on 30 June and Manuel Ugarte expected to be sold, United went into the summer with England’s Kobbie Mainoo as their only recognised central midfielder and with the stated aim of addressing the situation as a matter of priority.

Since then, events have taken a turn.

Ugarte sustained what the 25-year-old described as “the most serious injury a footballer can face” on World Cup duty for Uruguay against Spain.

United are yet to confirm the extent of Ugarte’s knee ligament damage. However, it is thought Ugarte suffered cruciate damage that would sideline him for the rest of 2026 at least and rule out any chance of him being sold.

In the transfer market, United have encountered more issues.

On 25 June, Manchester City agreed a club record £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for England international Elliot Anderson. He had been United’s number one midfield target.

Then, on 2 July, Tottenham paid a club record £85m for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. United had pushed hard to sign the Portuguese and genuinely thought he was a player they could attain. However, once Spurs made their interest in Fernandes known, West Ham, under new direction through co-chair Daniel Kretinsky, were able to stick to a valuation in excess of £80m.

United would have been willing to pay £85m – albeit including add-ons – but ultimately felt if they had offered that sum, Spurs would have immediately gone to £90m. It is this kind of situation they are keen to avoid.

United have agreed a £35m deal with Serie A outfit Atalanta for Ederson but his late call-up to the Brazil squad means his medical will not happen until Carlo Ancelotti’s side are out of the competition. As with all United’s World Cup players, he will then get a minimum of three weeks off.

It means, unless the position changes, the only midfielder among boss Michael Carrick’s senior group when they return for testing and the pre-season training on 9 July will be Mason Mount, who is viewed as more of an offensive player.

On 18 July, the day before the World Cup final, United play their first friendly fixture, against Wrexham in Helsinki. (BBCSport)

Of the eight first-team midfielders listed on United’s website, in addition to Mount, Carrick’s options will be Toby Collyer – who is wanted by Hull – Dan Gore, who spent last season on loan at Rotherham, who were relegated from League One, and twins Jack and Tyler Fletcher. The rest are all still on World Cup duty. Tyler Fletcher was a surprise call-up to Scotland’s squad after impressing in the build-up, but did not play.

United’s Premier League 2 skipper Jacob Devaney impressed in a central midfield role for Scottish Premiership outfit St Mirren in the second half of last season. Jack Moorhouse, who made 14 appearances on loan for Leyton Orient in the first half of the campaign, Jayce Fitzgerald, Sekou Kone and Jim Thwaites are other central midfielders in United’s academy.

With a match against Norwegian side Rosenborg to follow on 24 July, United’s younger players have a chance to impress Carrick.

But it is fair to assume once United hit a run of high-profile pre-season matches, starting with Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on 1 August, Carrick will expect to have had the midfield situation addressed.

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