A youth pastor on Friday expressed worry at increasing sex escapades including those involving the youth, urging men and women to control their sexual appetite.

The cleric, Martins Ezesebor, said in Lagos that lack of self-control would bring retrogression and hinder fulfilment of purpose.

He spoke at a quarterly seminar of the Nigeria Youth Council, Ojo, Lagos State chapter.

The seminar had the theme: “Inward reform, better projection.”

The event held at Igbede Town Hall at Ojo.

Mr Ezesebor, a youth pastor with the Spoken Word Ministry, Ojo, appealed to youths to avoid premarital sex to position themselves better to fulfill purpose.

According to him, sexual immorality can hinder prayers and result in sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and other problems.

He said, “As youths, your abstinence from premarital sex will make your prayers potent and answered by God. It will endear you to Him and project you well in society. Do not get entangled with lust.’’

He charged the youth to protect their names and reputation by avoiding all forms of disobedience.

A social worker with the Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Akin Odumosu, said that lack of self-control could lead to misery, despair and rejection.

Mr Odumosu said, “As you climb in fame and wealth, you need to understand that every woman’s body is not a reward and every woman who looks soft or harmless is not safe. You can gain influence, status and wealth but end up in shame because you danced with the wrong woman. History is loud with the groans of great men who lost it all to the wrong women.”

He advised the ladies to be satisfied with what their parents could provide for them to avoid being exploited and abused.

Mr Odumosu regretted that many young women had lost their lives in the hands of ritualists who lured them with money.

(NAN)