IMO DEPUTY GOVERNOR BLAMES SOCIAL ILLS ON POOR UPBRINGING

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has called on parents to rally round their children to ensure they have good moral standing and cultural background in the society.

The Deputy Governor made the call yesterday while addressing the congregation in the Chapel of Praise of Anglican Communion at his country home, Achi-Mbieri, Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State.

He decried the continual rise in moral decadence and other social vices, which he blamed on poor upbringing.

The number two citizen of Imo State also linked vexed issue of erosion of Igbo language, culture and perpetual hunger to migrate to other western countries without any recourse to the happenings at home to poor parenting. He therefore called on parents to spend time with their children, teach them the sweet history of their background and the patriotic need for them to join hands to develop their home wherever they may be. He added that there is no place like home for those who wish not to lose their identity.

His words: "I have had to challenge our people who keep complaining about our children's negative attitudes, engagement in crime and other social vices. The truth is that we cannot give what we do not have. If you choose not to pay attention to your children's attitude and ways of life, then you are waiting to reap ruin. This has also affected our children who are sent abroad and refused to return home. This is the case because; we have refused to give our children the needed orientation to always remember home. Most parents feel that making money alone is all that is needed for proper upbringing. We must change from this retarding attitude."

Prince Madumere also admonished the people to be content with whatever they have and be ready to share with the have-nots. Reacting to the sermon of the day, he reminded the congregation that followers of Christ should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and be rest assured of a lifting up.

Earlier, Venerable Sunday Iheruo, the Vicar of the Chapel of Praise in his sermon with the theme; "What do you live for", had called on Christians to lead a life of sacrifice like Jesus Christ did while on earth.

He decried the spate of greed in the society, which has led many people into various degrees of crimes. He called for content and investment in the lives of the down-trodden, since it is only such deed that they would be remembered for after they would have gone the way of all mortals.

Uche Onwuchekwa