By Regina Adaobi Aforgu
The Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Youth Reformation, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, has urged parents to take greater responsibility for raising disciplined, responsible and productive children, saying strong families are the foundation of a better society.
Omenugha made the call on Aug. 9, while addressing women of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area, during their August Meeting.
He said the engagement was part of efforts to take the Youth Reformation Agenda of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo administration to the grassroots and encourage families to play a central role in shaping the character of young people.
The Special Adviser, who was accompanied by some All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) stakeholders from Nnobi, said government policies and programmes could only achieve sustainable results when families complemented them by instilling good values in children.
According to him, the family remains the first school where children learn discipline, honesty, respect, hard work, compassion and other values that shape their conduct in society.
“Charity begins at home. That is why youth reformation cannot be left to government alone. The Church, family, schools and the community must work together to mentor our young people,” he said.
Omenugha described mothers as caregivers, first teachers and custodians of family values, urging them to be deliberate about the upbringing of their children.
He advised mothers to pay attention to what their children watch, the company they keep, the values they celebrate and the responsibilities they are given at home.
“We cannot demand responsible young people while raising children without responsibility,” he said.
He also urged the Church to use its moral and spiritual influence to promote mentorship, good values and responsible citizenship among young people.
Omenugha said building a greater Anambra required stronger communities, adding that stronger communities could only emerge from families committed to raising children with sound values and a sense of responsibility.
He called for concerted efforts by families, churches, schools and communities to strengthen the home and support the reformation of young people.
The women expressed appreciation for the engagement and pledged to promote positive family values and responsible upbringing among their children.
Regina Adaobi Aforgu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
