Ever since I joined Steemit, powering down has always been a regular feature. It didn't start with Nigerians. Hardly will there be a period of time when accounts powering down is zero. It has been there.

Most are known users and some are not known. Most are country representatives and others are not

Communities have also been powering down. It is not new. Most communities that I met in Steemit when I joined have left and new ones replaced them.

What do you think? Is powering down the problem?

To me, Steemit is a decentralized platform. So long as we all have our keys, we can choose to do whatever we want.

Neither can anyone force you not to power down. The truth is that the stakes for whales, dolphins, and most users are always higher than what is powered down at any point in time and that is what matters.

We are always encouraged and motivated to power up because it is for our own benefits. Assuming you have not been powering up over the periods you have been in Steemit, will you have any SP (Steem power) to power down? No!

The importance of powering up our earnings can never be overemphasized. We all understand the benefits except for a few newbies.

So, powering down is not the problem here nor the issue.

But what is?

Well, the motive for powering down needs to be considered. Some power down due to some reasons. These reasons might be but not limited to the following;

Depression
Frustration
Redirected attention
Lack of trust
Economic challenges
Misinformation
Follower’s syndrome

∆ Depression has made many known users to power down. This has to do with users life's challenges in terms of health, marital problems, and so on. One lacks concentration and thus lacks the strength to write or blog. There could be other underlying conditions but I choose to stop here.

∆ Frustration can also lead one to power down. It could be lack of support as a result of the high expectations one has about Steemit. One must have been told that he or she will earn big if he joins Steemit. Some who like watching other people's upvotes and wallets might be frustrated if they don't receive such upvotes or are not able to grow their SP like the ones they have seen. Thus, they can become frustrated and decide to power down.

It could also be that some are frustrated because they were previously receiving much support but are not currently receiving such.

There could be more to it that causes frustration, but I will stop here.

∆ Redirected attention. It could be that at the time of joining Steemit, one has nothing to do and as such puts in all time and efforts here on Steemit. It could also be that the person thinks he or she can handle both but along the lines, finds out that he can't. Some get new employment opportunities that are demanding.

Others get new projects at hand to take care of.

There could still be other underlying reasons.

∆ Lack of trust. Some lack trust in the present Steemit team. Some do not trust them and their projects. They simply cannot cope with what they think are stringent rules currently in place and as such, they choose to leave.

Others feel that some users are backbiting them, finding faults in whatever they do which could lead to a lack of support too.

When we intend to correct and not backbite, it will be seen in our tone of voice and choice of words. Some simply cannot cope with any slightest hint that they are being attacked by others which could ruin their reputation, and as such, they choose to leave.

∆ Economic challenges. Most users are being challenged economically. The adverse effects of COVID-19 are being felt by most users. It will be wrong that one has an asset but couldn't use it to solve their problems. One cannot continue begging for arms when you have something you can lay your hands on. So this has been at the root of most power downs lately, especially among Nigerians.

∆ Misinformation. It is not news that Steemit has enemies. Those who do not wish it any good. Those are just by the corner, looking for loopholes to attack.

They try hard to convince most users to leave Steemit and that nothing good will ever come from the platform.

They spread false information about Steemit daily. Some even are behind the fishing links that we see from time to time. Most users who have not built a strong faith in Steemit lack the information about Steemit and this has led a lot to leave.

∆ Follower’s syndrome. Those who introduced Steemit to us are indeed those that we look up to as our leaders. They are the ones who we should trust and follow. But should we follow them in all things?

Remember birds and other animals. When a mother bird gives birth, she nurses her young because they are helpless until they can grow feathers and wings to fly. As soon as they can fly, they make their own decisions.

In Steemit, it is true that when we join newly, we need directions and guidance from those old users, but soon after we learn, we are supposed to be masters over our own affairs, not having that follower’s syndrome. Not that we cannot follow other people's lead, but we need to follow wisely and not as if we are under some sort of spell.

Should you power down because your friend powered down? Or because the one who introduced you powered down? Don't you know that the person can be wrong?

Recently, most users powered down especially from my country. Well, Steemit is broad. Steemit is decentralized. Steemit earnings go into your wallet and not that of anyone else. There is more to Steemit than just earnings.

No one has left Facebook because of the person that invited him or her left. I have not heard of that. It is just silly to see these happening in Steemit.

My stand

I personally do not like people to follow me without reasoning on their own. I can make a mistake and so can everyone. Do not follow me to make my mistakes, learn to be strongly rooted on your own.

Learn to make your own decisions after due consultations. Learn to encourage yourself and others. Do not power down and encourage others to do the same. You can power down with good reasons and decide to come back as most users have done and still receive support from the curators. But do not close your doors and make it difficult for you to come back with your known usernames, only for you to start creating fake accounts in disguise.

I am still here in Steemit. Ready to keep doing my best. . Remain steadfast. Your vision and mission will still be accomplished even without me.

But Steemit has come to stay. We are still here. I am still here. Let's keep working hard.

What matters is what you can contribute to Steemit growth. Let's support the present Steemit team.

Nigerians are known for hardworking. They are not known for being followers but for surviving on their own.

Be an ambassador of Steemit in your locality.

Do not have high expectations but be moderate and modest.

Do not listen to fake news. Read and study more about Steemit and understand how it works. Have you read this?
You will benefit if you do. It will build your faith more in Steemit. Try to read all.

Stand out from the crowd, think well, be wise and make your own decisions.

Hence, I am not worried about the power downs but the panic in the minds and hearts of most Nigerians. Nothing is wrong with steemit. Let's keep doing our best. Let's keep moving, no stopping, no parking, always on the move!

It is time for action

Time to promote steem,

Time to have more meet up

Time to restratagise

Time to regroup

To encourage one another

Time to lead in the right way to success.

True leadership is such that allows it's subjects the freedom to explore options. Allow those under you to understand the real truth. Do not cramp them beyond movement. They have their lives to live just like you.

We will come off this period. We will tell the story in the future.

My Encouragement To All Nigerians

🌼 Follow club status and present yourself for support

🌼 Support burnsteem25 by setting 25% beneficiary to @null

🌼 Always power up to build your steempower and thus support others with your upvotes. Remember not to upvote yourself.

🌼 Take part in the engagement challenge as much as you can. You are in any competition with anyone. Remember that you are working for yourself. So do so diligently.

🌼 Support others by encouraging them. Engage with other via comments.

🌼 Be active and share quality contents to attract supports for yourself.
Can we move on? Yes we can, yes I can. What about you?

Expect some projects from me that will keep us all busy and make us enjoy our journey the more

See you then, cheers

By @ngoenyi,