The missioner of the United Kingdom and Ireland Zone of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Sheikh Muyideen Ibuowo, has urged parents to refrain from choosing careers for their children in order to help them become independent and successful in life.
NASFAT, in a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, said Sheikh Ibuowo gave the admonition during its first anniversary celebration of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society Swansea Group, held at Swansea Central Mosque, St. Helen’s Road, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
The theme of the event was, “Harnessing Self-Esteem as a Pivot for Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Success.”
He emphasised that youth is a stage of life between the ages of 15 and 39, a critical period during which parents must be sensitive, patient, provide proper monitoring, listen, show love, and stay close to their children for proper upbringing.
Sheikh Ibuowo stressed that many children in society are currently on the wrong path in life because parents were adamant in choosing careers for them, which negatively affected their self-esteem.
He further explained that many parents have become disconnected from the moral understanding of their children due to the neglect of native languages in favour of foreign languages.
He emphasised that the mother tongue is the first identity of a child and the language through which children initially develop self-esteem, confidence, independence, cultural values, knowledge of Islam and moral discipline.
Ibuowo urged parents to stop forcing foreign languages on their children and to avoid competing with neighbors and friends in deciding their children’s career paths. He noted that such behavior kills children’s self-esteem and causes them to lose track of becoming future leaders.
He also commented on the current Yoruba nationalist movement, saying it has lost its direction, adding that the fight for the Yoruba nation should start from universities where subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography and Computer Science should be taught in the Yoruba language.
The chairman of the occasion, Dr Dauda Hamzat, represented by the vice chairman of NASFAT UK and Ireland Zone, Alhaji Rauf Mohammed Noah, congratulated members of NASFAT, particularly those of the Swansea Group, for their dedication, sacrifice, contributions, unity and family values.
Earlier, NASFAT Swansea Group Coordinator, Abdulfatai Omotunde, expressed joy and fulfillment at the historic gathering in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
