Our society unlike before is faced with all kinds of existential threats in addition to hunger and insecurity and most recently, floods that have left sorrows and misery in its wake in so many states across the country. The popular saying in our local parlance, “it is naija way” expression, unfortunately is taking its toll on the lives of the younger generation whose life styles appear alien, cosmetic and nothing to write home about compared to what the society was, in the past. The attendant consequence therefore is that, the core value of the society, unknowingly is fast eroding away based on the choices we make as a people. For example, the emergence of what is known today as “Yahoo,Yahoo boys’ that has stigmatized the society in many fronts may be blamed on the family and the society at large, for failing on their duties in child nurturing. Story was told when a boy was asked what he wants to become in life; He simply said, I want to be a yahoo boy! That shows where we are and how badly the society has degenerated, morally. The dressing pattern of the young ones who go about sagging, gambling in all games betting outlets almost in every street and corner in Lagos, and in other states of the federation calls for serious concern. We are in the era where most parents are complacent and those who try to discipline their wards on account of wrong doings are viewed with contempt owing to perceived norms that are in support of child’s right and freedom.
The social media is awash with stories mostly about the conduct of minors and the underage in the society. Suffice to say here that parents have abdicated their role. Most parents look the other way in their families, especially when the issue concerns the black sheep in the family who probably carries the family financial burden. So also stories are told of most rich parents who on account of punishment meted on their ward in school by the teacher, also go about to misbehave by making sure that such a teacher is relieved of his/her duty. The enormity of problems confronting today’s society are legion. That the core value of the society is fading away on account of absentee parents who are not there always to give the necessary guide to their children, indeed is not for the interest of the society. The government too has not fared well in terms of child care protection and nurturing in the society. In Nigeria today, underage girls and boys are seen everywhere in our city centres selling pure water and other articles in traffic jams. This is not how the Nigerian child should be raised in the 21st Century, when their counterparts in other climes are pampered and catered for right from birth. Turning a blind eye to the happenings in the society, especially now young people are on the fast lane to make money without recourse if such money is genuine or not is a serious matter that calls for soul searching. While we call on parents to wake up to their responsibilities in the upbringing of their children who are the future of tomorrow, we equally charge the government to ensure that child’s right and welfare in our country are given a dose of attention to stem the tide of moral decadence, going forward.
