It’s weekend again, and we’ll be treated to a myriad of exciting football matches across different top leagues. But beyond the thrills and excitement of these matches, you’d desire specific outcomes.

The reason is simple – you’ve played them in your bet tickets, and your winning depends on their performances within 90 minutes. There’s no crime in this, especially since you’re just trying to cash in on your passion.

But at what point does it become a worrying addiction because it’s now looking like you can’t go a day without betting?

Well, there’s something known as compulsive gambling addiction, and many people are unaware that this is a psychological problem that demands urgent solutions.

Gambling becomes a problem when you have trouble stopping when you spend more than you can afford. And when it begins to negatively impact other areas of your life like school, work, and family.

Well, let’s start from the very beginning because many people do not even realise they have a gambling problem.

How to Tell You Have a Problem

There’s no bigger warning sign than the anxiety and frustration you feel when you think about betting. Yes, the hope and adrenaline pump push you to gamble, but there’s also a deep-seated unhappiness that you’re gambling away your money again.

ALSO READ: Suspect confesses to traffic robbery, says he spends proceeds on drugs and gambling

People often choose to ignore this feeling, even though it only worsens the situation.

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On the other hand, paying attention to how gambling makes you feel and knowing the warning signs can be what saves you from your addiction. If you’re still unsure whether you or someone around you has a gambling problem, take the self-assessment quiz below.

• Are you feeling guilty, frustrated, worried or anxious about gambling?

• Do you think or talk about gambling a little more than you’re supposed to?

• Are you gambling to pursue your losses or hoping there’s a big win around the corner?

• Do you feel a sense of emptiness when you don’t bet?

• Do you have an increased debt or any other financial problems because you’re always gambling?

• Are you gambling to escape anxiety, anger, depression, or any other negative feelings?

Wrapping Up

So, you see, excessive gambling is always a problem, especially when it begins to put you under unnecessary financial stress. The economic costs of a gambling problem are continually significant.

They include financial instability, job loss, less disposable income, home loss, business loss, increased debt, and potential bankruptcy. You don’t want to get to the stage of bankruptcy, and that’s why you must begin to fight your gambling addiction as soon as possible.

Fortunately, it’s possible to get over it if you’re willing to do the right thing. We’ll post steps to help you deal with this addiction very soon. So keep checking this page for it.

The internet has revolutionised how we communicate, shop, and work. But while it boasts so many exciting benefits, it has also become a hunting ground for scammers.

Online fraud is rising, with cybercriminals using sophisticated tactics to deceive unsuspecting users.

Protecting yourself from scams requires awareness, vigilance, and a few practical precautions.

Here are some essential tips to help you avoid falling into the trap of online scammers.

1. Be Cautious with Personal Information

ALSO READ: Fake midwife scams man of ₦1.6 million in fraudulent child adoption scheme

We’ve seen the script before – where scammers pose as legitimate companies or individuals to trick unsuspecting individuals.

Their main goal is often to trick you into revealing personal details like passwords and banking information.

Revealing any of these can get you in trouble, so you must always verify the authenticity of a website or contact before sharing any sensitive data.

Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or messages, as they may lead to phishing sites designed to steal your information.

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2. Verify the Legitimacy of Websites

Before making any online purchases or entering your details on a website, check its authenticity. Look for ” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar, indicating a secure connection.

Be wary of websites that have misspelt domain names or appear poorly designed, as these could be fake.

3. Recognise Common Scams

ALSO READ: Police reject ₦66m bribe to arrest fraudsters

Online scams come in many forms, including fake job offers, lottery winnings, romance scams, and investment fraud.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Research any company or person offering suspicious deals before engaging with them.

4. Use Strong Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

A strong password is your first line of defence against cybercriminals. Use unique, complex passwords for each online account and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This extra security step can prevent unauthorised access even if your password is compromised.

5. Stay Informed and Educate Others

Cybercriminals continuously evolve their tactics, so staying informed about the latest scams is crucial. Follow cybersecurity news and educate family members, especially older adults, who are often targeted. The more people know about online scams, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

ALSO READ: American woman duped by ‘yahoo boys’ praises Nigerian men as ‘sexiest on earth’

Have you been scammed online before? We’d like to hear your story to know how we can help others from falling into the same trap.

Okay, here’s the truth – the Nigerian job market is currently overpopulated, with many qualified graduates jostling to fill the little available employment opportunities.

Of course, only a tiny percentage of job seekers eventually land their dream jobs every year. But you could be among this tiny percentage.

All you need to do is to make yourself indispensable to employers. Don’t worry, I’ve worked in the human resource sector for so long that I now understand the Nigerian employment market.

With my experience, I can teach you how to set yourself apart in the employment market, so employers will have no other option than to employ you. Let’s just dive straight into useful tips that work all the time.

Be an expert in your chosen field

ALSO READ: 5 Nigerians share their crazy experiences job-hunting after school

You probably already know by now that the Nigerian labour market is so competitive. This means hundreds of qualified people could apply for the same role you’re applying to.

To make it worse, some are even ready to work for less pay, making them cheap labour for the company. But here’s the solution – you have to make yourself an indispensable asset.

There’s no better way to do this than upgrading yourself. The more you set yourself aside in skills and experience, the more companies won’t want to let you go.

Being good is not enough to get you noticed these days, you must be excellent. Trust me, employers know what you bring to the table and if you bring enough, they’ll surely hire you.

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Acquire real-world experience

We know, telling you to acquire real world experience is telling you to look for the already scarce jobs. But there are ways to go about this.

ALSO READ: 5 ways to get a good job placement during your NYSC

There are many volunteer and intern opportunities in small firms and NGOs. And since these roles do not attract adequate compensation, people shy away from them, making it easy to land them.

You can always leverage such opportunities to build your professional experience. Intern for one or two years before applying to your dream job. You’d be surprised by how far this small experience will go in opening doors for you.

Polish your professional presentation: craft an outstanding resume/LinkedIn profile

Most times, your résumé and LinkedIn profile serves as your first impression. And since you don’t want your employer having a wrong impression about you, you must tailor your résumé to fit the job you’re applying for.

Emphasise your relevant skills and accomplishments so the employer can see what you’re bringing to the organisation. Don’t shy off from showing off your professional journey.

Most organisations will prioritize employing people who don’t need serious onboarding, so they’ll check your journey so far.

Develop your negotiating skills

Here’s one point that people don’t talk about enough. Remember, products must be advertised, marketed before they get sold out. Well, consider your skill as the product in this case. You must sell your skill and need some negotiation ability to do it properly.

You should be able to negotiate your wages, because all the points above already make you a priceless asset. No employer would offer you a favourable wage unless you ask for it.

So if you’re sure you’ve made yourself indispensable, demand a wage that’s commensurate with what you bring to the company. Trust me, they’ll pay.

Now’s the time to take your chance. Master the tips above to put yourself in a strong position for opportunities that will come your way.