Pastor Akingbade David, founder of the Jesus Care Foundation under the Jesus International Ministry, has expressed deep concern about the future of Nigeria, warning that the nation is at great risk if the moral upbringing of today’s children is not addressed.
Speaking with Saving Point Media, Pastor Akingbade, who has been involved in village outreach since 2006, voiced his worries about the rising rate of teenage parenting, where untrained children are giving birth to another generation of untrained children, further threatening societal peace.
He criticized the government for failing to ensure the moral education of children, especially in rural areas, due to the lack of access to quality and free education.
Reflecting on his experiences during village outreaches, Pastor Akingbade observed that many children raised in villages grow up to cause problems in cities because they lack proper education and access to modern amenities.
He emphasized that life in the villages is much harsher than in the cities, with no proper roads, electricity, schools, or healthcare facilities.
The few schools that do exist often have only one or two teachers, leading to inadequate education.
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The lack of basic infrastructure, such as toilets, also contributes to widespread open defecation and increased disease, all of which are compounded by poor medical facilities.
Pastor Akingbade advocated for helping these helpless children to prevent them from growing up to become threats in urban areas.
Using villages like Fajuyi and Sore, which share boundaries with Ogun and Oyo States, as well as Ajede village in Ogun State, he highlighted the severe lack of social and modern amenities in these areas, including good roads, clean water, healthcare, and education.
He noted that children growing up in such neglected environments often feel unloved by society.
When they eventually move to the cities, they are likely to disrupt the lives of the wealthy and their children, as well as the society that forms the state and, ultimately, the country.
Pastor Akingbade explained that since 2006, his ministry has been conducting village outreaches.
Three years ago, they received a vision for a children’s outreach, with a divine mandate to help children who are spiritually and academically disadvantaged.
He identified this lack of support as a major cause of the immoral and unlawful behavior seen in youths today.
He also pointed out that many parents struggle to raise their children spiritually and morally due to the economic hardship, which forces them to focus on survival rather than on the proper upbringing of their children.
Many children are forced to beg on the streets because their parents cannot afford to care for them, despite Nigeria having the resources to provide for everyone.
Unfortunately, these resources are being enjoyed by a few in government, leaving others to suffer.
Pastor Akingbade stated that Nigeria has failed to secure a good future for itself by neglecting its children.
He noted that parents who are not receiving adequate salaries and who must buy expensive food with their meager earnings cannot properly provide for their children’s needs, a failure that he attributes to the government.
He encouraged Nigerians to continue speaking out, emphasizing that “a closed mouth is a closed destiny.”
He believes that open dialogue is essential because the children the government fails to care for today will become the government’s problem tomorrow.
However, he also expressed hope for Nigeria, believing that the country can improve if the government engages in continuous dialogue with its citizens, listens to their concerns, and works to create a peaceful and affordable way of life.
Pastor Akingbade also called for checks and balances among government officials at all levels to eradicate corruption and greed.
Finally, Pastor Akingbade announced that his foundation would be conducting a seven-day outreach in villages like Sore, Fajuyi, and Ajede from August 18th to 24th, 2024.
The outreach, tagged “Children Outreach 3.0,” will focus on providing spiritual, medical, and academic support to these communities.
The initiative will include the establishment of a tuition-free school, counseling, and deliverance services, with a total budget of 1.775 million naira.
The foundation plans to teach the children in the ways of the Lord, provide them with academic materials like school bags and sandals, and offer medical care.
Pastor Akingbade called on leaders and philanthropists who care about the country’s future to support the project financially and in other ways, to help raise Godly and well-educated children for the future of Nigeria.
Donations can be made to account number 5138026013, Jesus Int’l Ministry. For more information, contact 08063237947.
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