Wife of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and President of the Mothers Union/Women’s Guild of the Church of Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Eberechukwu Ndukuba has advised parents to take seriously their children’s upbringing, stressing that a child’s training should not be relegated to house helps and technology.
In an interview, Mrs. Ndukuba advised parents to train their wards in the way of the Lord and teach them proper cultural and Christian values. She explained that it is parents’ duty to raise a child, take that child to Church and monitor what he or she is doing, while in Church. She said parents should be good examples to their children, because many children imitate their parents’ lifestyle.
She debunked some parents’ misconception that training a child means giving that child whatever he or she wants; explaining that raising a child involves being attentive, patient and discipline. She said: “No matter how busy parents are, they should have time for their child and be aware of what he or she is doing.”
Stressing that parents should have the number of children they can conveniently cater for, as proper parental upbringing is necessary in a child’s life, she expressed support for the proposed abolition of the Almajiri system.
Ndukuba also warned that anyone who refuses to raise his or her child properly should be prepared for the consequences, as according to her, a child that is not well-trained would bring shame to his or her parents.
Ndukuba, who is also the President, Girls Guild of the Church of Nigeria, added her voice to the national outrage against sexual violence, especially as it affects the girl child, owing to the rising cases of rape in Nigeria.
She described rape as sheer wickedness and urged parents, especially mothers, not to leave their girl child with any man, no matter his relationship with the family.
She advised victims of rape not to be silent, but to receive help and prevent future re-occurrence.
