Good parenting is one of the major resources for national development and progress, and the most important factor for personal development that forms the foundation for successful marriage and the family.
This was the take home at Father’s Day celebration and a book Launch, Footprint; The Growing Challenges of Parenting, written by a journalist and seasoned educationist, Fola Adekeye and his wife, Bose.
The Olam Hall, Magboro Ogun State, stomached to the brim the seasoned educators, journalists, fathers of Champions International Schools and other dignitaries from all walks of life, on Saturday 16th of June.
Speaking at the double-barreled event, the guest speaker and the former Special Assistant on Media to late president Musa Yar’adua, Segun Adeniyi said children are the reflections of their parents.
Speaking on the theme: Raising Children for Greatness – Overcoming 21st Century Challenges, the frontline journalist revealed that the revolution of communication technology of recent years makes it more challenging for parents to train their children to become successful adults
Adeniyi who is also the chairman editorial board, of This Day newspaper encouraged parents to prepare their children and wards for more changes and challenges in the future.
“The first lesson to learn as a parent is never to compare one child to the other; otherwise we may destroy what we are trying to build
“Competition has always been the hallmark of many parents remarkably in today’s world, by measuring their children with their peers even when they pretend otherwise.
“We need to keep in mind that every child is an individual with their own peculiar strength and witnesses; we must build the confidence of our children to ensure they are capable of handling the challenge they will face in their space when we as parents are not there”, he preached.
Commenting on the book, the chief launcher, Martins Awofisayo described the book as more practical than theoritical.
He noted that, “readers will find it attractive to read the book from cover to cover because it depicts reality of life”.
“So in any challenging situation, the book can be read by anybody regardless of religious background and get ideas on how to mentor in 21st century”, he explained.
In his own comment, the author of the book, Fola Adekeye, recalled how he and his wife got inspired to write the book through a movie watched by the couple.
Reeling out what the book entails for the readers, he said they would find the proverbial lifestyle of eagle on good virtue, excellence and competence and how eagle raised its children to become the same eagle that people used to know from ages; and also find colourful example of biblical King David and his son Solomon.
According to him, “The readers will find the example of David, and how Solomon copied him when it was time for God to ask him what he wanted.
“Solomon did not ask for money but asked for wisdom, knowledge and understanding because his father was a virtue of those qualities.”`
The author who is also the Director of Studies, Champions International Schools, Magboro Ogun State, berates some notable Nigerian leaders that are enmeshed in certificate scandals.