Pastor Akingbade David, the founder of the Jesus Care Foundation under the Jesus International Ministry, has placed the blame for rising insecurity, drug abuse, prostitution, and other vices among children and youths in the country squarely on society.
Speaking with Saving Point Media, the clergyman, who runs the foundation alongside his wife, Omolola David, stated that while many parents have failed to raise Godly children, society as a whole has failed to foster peace.
According to Pastor Akingbade, Jesus International Ministry has been conducting village outreach programs since 2006.
He noted that year after year, the task of raising children in society is becoming increasingly difficult, even in rural areas.
He lamented that society today often turns a blind eye to immoral activities among children, unlike in the past when passersby would correct a child for misbehavior.
The situation is even worse in cities, he explained, where children of the opposite sex can be found engaging in inappropriate behavior, with passersby dismissing such acts as mere signs of modernization.
Groups of children and adolescents, who eventually grow into troubled youths, are often seen smoking or discussing immoral topics in public, while bystanders either ignore the behavior or make light of it, labeling it as part of the modern world.
Pastor Akingbade emphasized that in contrast to earlier times when community members would correct a misbehaving child and receive gratitude from the parents, today’s society fails to take responsibility.
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He warned that the children society fails to correct today will grow up to disrupt the peace of the community tomorrow.
Referencing the Bible, Pastor Akingbade recalled the story of Moses, who was neglected but later became a savior after being taken in by Pharaoh’s daughter.
He also cited Proverbs 22:6 to underscore the importance of proper upbringing.
He explained that society forms the foundation of the state, and the state, in turn, forms the country. When society is flawed, the entire country is at risk.
Before blaming the government or external forces, Pastor Akingbade urged society to reflect on its own failures and make the necessary corrections, which would positively impact the nation.
He pointed out that societal negligence is also a major contributor to poor parenting, evidenced by the increasing rates of teenage pregnancy.
This, he said, is because society often looks away when children engage in early sexual activities with adults or among themselves.
He criticized the societal trend of ignoring or accepting inappropriate behavior, such as adults sleeping with teenage girls or children posting immoral activities on social media for attention.
He also condemned the lack of guidance for underage children who talk about making quick wealth, with some elders even encouraging them rather than advising against such dangerous pursuits.
Pastor Akingbade highlighted the growing issue of children under eighteen driving luxury cars and building houses without society questioning the source of their wealth, instead seeking to benefit from it.
He warned that if such a child later needs to renew their rituals, it is often the children of those who failed to correct them who become victims.
He also noted that many parents have failed in their roles, encouraging their children to seek quick wealth through any means, including internet fraud and rituals, to avoid the struggles they themselves faced.
Pastor Akingbade concluded by advising that for Nigeria to improve, a societal revolution must take place, which will produce leaders capable of governing the country effectively.
He called on parents, society, and the government to unite in raising children for a better future, emphasizing that without proper training, success is unattainable.
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