LAGOS – The Director of the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, Mr Ronald Kayanja, on Monday, urged Nigerians to always live up to their responsibilities as parents.
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Kayanja made the call at an occasion in Lagos to mark this year’s Global Day of Parents.
He said it was the responsibility of parents to inculcate good moral values in their children.
According to him, building peace in communities goes with teaching children values of tolerance, respect, hard work and integrity.
“These values are learnt from home. Parents are the first line of educators of tomorrow’s citizens.
“In addition, parents should know that they are the first line of human rights defenders for children.
“Parents should ensure that children have rights to food, clothing, education, a secured environment, good health and opportunities to know their cultures,’’ he said.
The UN official said the world body declared in September 2012 that every June 1 be set aside to honour parents around the world.
Dr Ebun Sonaiya, the Executive Director of Total Health Trust Ltd, Lagos, said children were being faced with the challenges of peer pressure, excessive use of techonologies, bullying and high sense of entitlement.
Sonaiya said there were growing trends of drug abuse and sexual experimentation among young men and women.
The medical expert, therefore, urged parents to urgently develop skill in creating healthy attachment with their children, as well as be able to cope with stress of parenting.
She also advised parents to develop and implement positive disciplinary practices for their children, noting that “parents need practical advice and support that will help them to navigate the very challenging job of parenting.
“We need mentoring that will equip us with the social and emotional competencies to handle the weighty task of raising children.’’ (NAN)
AVU/IKU/HA
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