The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmed Pategi University, Kwara State, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji has attributed some of the causes of learning difficulties among children to harmful effect of technology and phones, urging parents and guardians to guide their wards towards proper learning, inculcate in them religious values and good social etiquette.
Prof. Adedimeji stated this during the 18th Annual Ramadan Lecture titled “The Muslim Family in the Digital Age”, organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Community, held at the UNILA Islamic center, Akoka.
The scholar said the harmful effects of technology are the bane of impulsivity, poor short-term memory, inattention and other learning difficulties among the younger ones.
He said: “Our true Islamic religion emphasizes the importance of family and its role in educating young people and promoting values because the nucleus of mankind is premised on family.”
“Our children are quite sensitive, even a one-year-old today grabs a phone and vocalises the word ‘hello’. They passively absorb content that is updated every minute which in most cases disengages the brain from the mechanism of learning”.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, who was represented by the Registrar, Oladejo Azeez, implored parents to take advantage of the season to fervently seek Allah’s mercy and blessing.
The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Hashim Oyekan, a former Commissioner for Environment and Physical Planning, highlighted the important role of a Muslim family, adding that every member of the family should play his role by guiding the younger ones towards the path of seeking beneficial knowledge.
Other dignitaries at the event include former Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Rahaman Bello, House of Representatives Member-elect for Kosofe Federal Constituency, Alhaja Kafilat Ogbara, former Imam of UNILAG Muslim Community, Prof. Murtado Bidmos and Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Dr. Abdulwahab Azeez among others.