Lagos Moves Against Decline In Family Values

In recent times, there has been a sharp decline in moral values in families in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria. There is a rise in divorce, abuses and several other social vices among youths.

In a bid to arrest this decline in moral values in the family unit, the Office of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development held the first Family Town Hall Meeting at the weekend with the theme: Promoting Ideal Family Values in Lagos State.

The event, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by stakeholders in child development and parenting.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Kamol Junaid said the event was a deliberate effort to create an avenue for families to discuss and voice their opinions on ways to strengthen the family as a social unit and create more awareness about the services of the office to Lagosians.

“Needless to say that the increasing decline in moral values have had a negative impact on our society through the high rate of abuses, divorce and incest, among others vices recorded in recent times.

“From time immemorial, the family unit has always been an agent of socialisation and civilisation. These unique roles must be maintained if we are to ensure the development of healthy individuals and a united nation. Proper family values must be inculcated in our children from birth,” he said.

Junaid stated that the theme of the event aptly captured the need for the family unit to reposition itself as the conscience of the nation through exemplary ways in which it would promote “our values and motivates the young ones to emulate good morals and spiritual values of our land.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru said “children of stable families are less precipitated to crime, less divorce and less emotional problems. This, we all have to work towards in order to leave a lasting legacy for our children and generation yet unborn.

“The teaching of family values in this respect will help create a foundation which allows children to make healthy choices of their own.

The values we espouse become our children’s moral guide and form the cornerstone of their conscience.”