Family values central to national stability – Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has cautioned parents against excessive indulgence in raising their children, warning that over-pampering without proper discipline and guidance could have negative consequences for families and society.

Speaking on Sunday at the 6th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Special Prayers organized in honour of the late Oba Olatunji Mufutau Hamzat, with the theme, “Building a Pristine Home as the Foundation of an Ideal Society,” held at Ogba, Lagos, Hamzat noted that children should be loved, supported, and encouraged to thrive; such care must be balanced with responsibility, discipline, and value-based upbringing.

According to him, the growing trend of overindulgence is contributing to behavioural challenges among young people and reflects a broader concern in today’s society, emphasizing the need for parents to be intentional about raising their children the right way.

“Proper moral training and character development are essential to ensure that our children grow into responsible adults and do not become a burden to the families or the society in later life,” he said.

The Deputy Governor reiterated that responsible parenting remains critical to building stable homes and a secure future, reaffirming that the stability and progress of society largely depend on the strength of the family.

Hamzat observed that the growing social challenges in the country are closely linked to the failure of parents to provide proper guidance, supervision, and value-based upbringing for their children.

He therefore called on religious leaders to reinforce the message of responsible parenting, urging them to continually emphasise the need for parents to prioritise the care, discipline, and moral development of their children, in line with the teachings and values being preached in places of worship. He noted that restoring family values remains critical to building a more stable and prosperous society.

Earlier in his welcome address, President of the Ifako-Ijaiye Muslim Community, Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Ayodeji Sunmonu, emphasized the need for unity, gratitude, and unwavering trust in Allah among Muslims, urging Muslims, particularly the Ifako-Ijaiye Muslim Community, to remain steadfast in their commitment to building a spiritually vibrant and prosperous Muslim community.

He therefore reaffirmed the enduring legacy of the late monarch, describing him as a patriarch whose life of service continues to inspire religious, political, and social development within and beyond the community.

In his lecture titled “Building a Pristine Home as the Foundation of an Ideal Society,” a Professor of Law, Shariah, in University of Ilorin, Prof. (Sheikh) Abdul-Razaq Abdul-Majeed Alaro emphasized that creating a pristine home as the bedrock of an ideal society rests largely on parents faithfully carrying out their responsibilities, adding that stakeholders within the community also have a crucial role to play in ensuring that strong family values are upheld and sustained.

The Professor decried the growing trend of parents shifting their core responsibilities to schools, stressing that such neglect undermines the foundation of society.

According to him, “If parents continue to abdicate their duties at home, the vision of an ideal society will remain unattainable. Building a pristine home is essential, as it serves as the bedrock upon which a stable and prosperous society is established. You, as a stakeholder within the community, also share in this responsibility. You need to play an active role in guiding and mentoring not only your children but also others within your environment. Failure to properly nurture and train young people could result in future social challenges, as neglected children may grow into adults who pose threats to the peace and stability of the community.”