Women’s Fellowship President warns against posting newborn babies, travel plans on Social Media

L-R: Lay President, Lagos North Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, Sir Dotun Somoye; Bishop of Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Job Gboyega Ohu; President, Diocesan Women’s Fellowship, Susan Ruth Kikelomo Ohu and Diocesan Synod Secretary, Very Rev’d Ademilua Ademiyi, at Diocese of Lagos North Women’s Fellowship 15th Annual Conference at Methodist Church Nigeria, Oshodi, Lagos State

Stanley Ihedigbo

President, Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos North Women Fellowship, Susan Ruth Kikelomo Ohu, has cautioned women against indiscriminately sharing sensitive personal and family information on social media, particularly photographs of newborn babies and details of travel plans, warning that such posts could expose families to avoidable security and privacy risks.

Speaking at the 15th Annual Women’s Fellowship Conference, with the theme, “Spirit-filled women, be at peace, the Lord will fight for you,” taken from Exodus 14:14, held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Oshodi Circuit, Mrs. Ohu gave the warning while addressing the women on the responsible use of social media.

She stressed the need for greater awareness of the potential security, privacy and safety risks associated with sharing personal information online.

According to her, social media platforms have become important means of communication, networking and information sharing, but careless use could expose individuals and their families to unnecessary risks.

She particularly advised women to exercise caution before posting photographs and other details concerning newborn babies, noting that information shared online could reach people whose intentions were unknown.

She also urged mothers and other family members to avoid making excessive details about their children publicly available, including information that could reveal their locations, daily routines, schools, hospitals or other personal details.

The Women’s Fellowship President further cautioned women against announcing their travel plans publicly before or during their journeys.

The Diocesan Bishop’s wife explained that informing the public that a family was travelling or that a home would be unoccupied could inadvertently provide information that could be exploited by criminals.

She therefore encouraged women to consider the possible consequences of every post before publishing it, especially when the information concerns their homes, children, movements or other private family matters.

She stressed that the number of followers, likes, or comments on a social media post should not be the priority, adding that the safety and privacy of families should come first.

She urged women to educate their children and other members of their households about responsible social media use, particularly the dangers of revealing personal information to strangers online.

She noted that while social media had several positive benefits, responsible use required discipline, wisdom and awareness.

She said photographs taken at home, places of worship, schools, hospitals and other locations should be shared with discretion, particularly where such images reveal sensitive information about individuals.

She also encouraged women to avoid posting their exact locations in real time and, where appropriate, to share photographs and details after leaving a particular location.

According to her, responsible social media use should be seen as part of modern family security, adding that a little caution could prevent avoidable problems.

She urged women to share the message with other members of their families and communities, stressing that online safety was a collective responsibility.

The Women Fellowship President concluded by encouraging women to use social media positively for education, evangelism, business, networking and community development, while ensuring that personal safety and family privacy remained paramount.

In her remarks, the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Job Gboyega Ohu said, “A Spirit-filled woman does not react; she responds. She does not panic; she praises. She does not gossip; she prays. An empty woman is a vulnerable woman. Let us fill ourselves with the Word, prayer and the Holy Ghost. ‘Be at peace’ is a command, not a feeling. The enemy wants to trouble you because a troubled woman makes wrong decisions.”

He added, “We should not let the battles of life steal our peace. We should not let what we are going through make us forget what God has done. The Lord will fight your battles. When you are filled and at peace, God takes over the battle. Like in the case of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, he praised, prayed and fought. They did not shoot one arrow, and God fought for them.”

He further assured the women that, as a fellowship, they should lay down every burden and lift holy hands, because the battle was not theirs.

“I enjoin you all to prepare your hearts to meet God in a new way during the conference. God is ready to bless you all during this period as you seek His face reverently and in soberness of heart. Make your praise and prayer known to Him,” the Bishop admonished.

The Diocesan Lay President, Sir Dotun Somoye, urged the Women Fellowship members to remain steadfast in prayer, unwavering in faith and confident that God was still fighting the battles of His people.

“When God fights, victory is certain, and His peace guards our hearts even before the answers arrive. As mothers in Israel, continue to mentor the younger generation, strengthen Christian homes, uphold godly values, and remain pillars of prayer and service in the Church,” he said.