Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has admonished the church to continue engaging families periodicaly, as the custodian of divinity and morality, in order to build a better society.
Abiodun made the call while declaring open the 3rd Session of the Sixteenth Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Egba Diocese, held at the Silver Jubilee Multipurpose Hall, Bishop’s Court, Onikolobo, Abeokuta.
Represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, the Governor said the failure of families in any nation spells doom for the entire population, threatens its continuity as well as survival and makes Godly parenting an essential social norm of political stability and egalitarian society.
He said the theme of the Synod; “Godly Parenting: The Panacea for Rescuing a Degenerated Society from Gloom and Doom,” is apt as every home needs spiritual guidance to succeed, therefore, all hands must be on deck to redeem the society through the church in order to build a better society where peace and justice reign.
“Analysis of political sociologists indicates that the family is the smallest political unit in any setting, and concluded that political mobilisation starts with the family as the determinant of peace and stability in any nation. Unfortunately, our society is facing this serious challenge regarding the management of poor parenting as a result of a lackadaisical disposition and the absence of divine guidance on the part of parents in the course of building a home.
“All hands must be on deck to redeem the society through the church in aspiration of building a better society where peace and justice reign,” the Governor said.
The governor reeled out interventions targeted at keeping families intact and reducing threatening challenges at the home to include the empowerment of women across the State through Okoowo Dapo to make their businesses grow in order to fulfill responsibilities.
“Our vision for the State is clear and well thought out in the strict directive by God. We considered deliberate policies with human face a critical and pragmatic solution to some social challenges we are facing across the country, especially by our womenfolk, who are the bedrock of our homes.
“Our government, therefore, rolled out initiatives to empower our women across the state through what is called OKOOWO DAPO, considering the effect of poverty on keeping homes and fulfilling responsibilities as parents,” Abiodun averred.
He also revealed that intervention to cushion the effects of certain policies of the Federal Government at repositioning Nigeria’s battered economy, most especially the removal of fuel subsidy is in place where billions of naira has been earmarked.
Such interventions included the N10,000 given to indigent students in all secondary and primary schools, and N50,000 given to Ogun State students
in all tertiary institutions nationwide.
In his goodwill message, the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, advised parents to train their children in the way of God, by giving them good education as well as vocational skills.
He further enjoined youths to obey the instructions of their parents, embrace good mentorship and shun all forms of social vices for the betterment of the society.
Giving his Royal blessings, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Dr. Adedotun Gbadebo said the theme was loaded as parents must make concerted efforts to train their children properly in order not to be put to shame as exemplified in the Holy Bible by Prophet Eli, whose children brought shame and dishonour to him.
Also speaking, the Diocesan Bishop of Egba and President of the Synod, Rt. Revd. Emmanuel Oludaisi Adekunle, appreciated Prince Abiodun for being a governor with high acumen, who has stood tall to tackle the hardship being faced by the people through provision of palliatives.
Earlier in her address, the Diocesan Mother, Chief Mrs. Abosede Osunkeye, advised parents to treasure their children, who are gifts from God and submitted that any child built on Godly foundation can never sway when life’s challenges arise.
In the government’s entourage were the Special Adviser on Information and Communication, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, and scores of permanent secretaries
