Nigerian Youths Not Ready For Leadership, Says Cleric

Unless the youths shed their excesses and insulate themselves from crimes, especially cultism, armed robbery and disrespect to constituted authorities, political leadership would remain a mirage in their circle.

Founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Apostle John Okoriko, who made the assertion, said the leadership vacuum in the country may not be effectively filled by the younger generation “because of the distractions of anti-social behaviours including drug abuse, violent crimes and total disrespect to parents.”

He lamented that their lifestyles have impinged negatively and delineated the youths from parental control. He said more youths in Nigeria are facing untimely death or uncertain future for not giving honour to their parents as directed by God.

In an interview in Uyo after the monthly interactive service on the theme: “Why is Honouring Parents the only Law with Promise?” Okoriko said honour to parents is the only commandment from God that goes with promise of long life to the children.

According to the fiery cleric, when children refuse to give honour to their parents, they lack moral virtues which drive them into cultism, immoralities, banditry and other heinous crimes currently prevalent in the society.

He said the commandment from God for children to honour their parents cut across all religious beliefs, adding that many children are hostile to parents against God’s ordinances. Okoriko said children who never honour their parents fail to succeed in life as parents are foundations to every human being, adding that many have died for violating the law of honour to their parents.

He said, “You need not be a Christian to have a father and mother. So, the commandment that says honour your father and mother so that you live long and succeed may not apply specifically to Christians. Many young people dislike their parents. If your father and mother are Muslims or Christians, or any religion, honour them because no other commandment from God was given with a promise of long life and fortunes, except we honour our parents.”

Blaming the church and other beliefs for infusion of negative dispositions and doctrines in the youths, Okoroiko noted that such deviation has the potential of reinforcing negative perceptions and hatred, and enjoined religious bodies to live up to standards as prescribed by Almighty God.