. . . IGP, NAWOJ President, others grace book launch

The Nigerian Government has been urged to adopt the recommendations of a book titled “Flying Five Flags” to tackle the moral decadence in the country which is fueling the increasing social crimes perpetrated by citizens.

Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Chapter, wants the Federal Ministry of Education to adopt the book in secondary school schools across the country, explaining that the book contains a moral guide that would help instill positive values in children as well as guide parenting to effect the desired change in Nigeria.

Ogbeche made this recommendation during the official launch of the book “Flying Five Flags: A journey of life circles”, written by late Dr. Onokhogie Adamu and his daughter, Ms. Lois Otse Adams, in Abuja.

He decried that Nigeria today suffers from bad governance, internet fraud, which all stems from moral decay, poor parenting, among others.

Ogbeche said: “There is a need for us to get a guide to parenting so we can help children navigate through the course of life. The recommendation is that the Federal Ministry of Education adopts this book into our secondary school because it is at that stage we catch them young; so children can imbibe values that would sustain the society from decadence.”

While giving a review of the book, Ogbeche said the book is written in five chapters representing five stages of the human life cycle ranging from childhood, teenage stage, career stage, maturity and old age.

He said every stage of life is equally significant but parenting stands as the most important factor on the growth and development of a child.

“Whatever the children turns into, is the responsibility of the parents because what you give is what you receive,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Co-author of the book, Adams, speaking with journalists, revealed that the book, which was written to help both parents and children make amends would be distributed to many secondary schools to help children imbibe morals and values needed for a better society.

“I am quiet passionate about the Nigeria child, I want them to grow up and be responsible to their parents and the society at large. We have tried changing adult behaviour but we have realised how difficult it is to change adults so we want to catch them young.

“To this effect we are not stopping here. We will be going to secondary schools to give them physical education, and encourage them to be passionate about reading,” she said.

In her remarks, the President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ms. Ladi Bala, who unveiled the book, reiterated that Nigerian is suffering from bad governance owing to the absence of good family values.

“We need to go back to the drawing board, parents need to up their game. If our children are not well brought up they would be a reproach to us and the society. We need to be deliberate on the kind of investments we are making on our children.”

The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, highlighted the contribution of the book to nation building as it would help prevent social crimes.

The IGP, who was represented by CSP Ogbonnaya, said: “The society is better when the community and the parents are co trainers of the child, but the responsibility has drifted solely to the parents due to other factors.

“We all can make a difference wherever we are to make Nigeria s better and safer place for habitation and investment,” he concluded.