As Nigerians prepare for the celebration of Christmas and New Year, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has urged parents not to be carried away by the current economic challenges confronting the country to the extent of neglecting the welfare of their children.
The monarch who made the call while playing host to the Santa Clause popularly referred to as Father Christmas alongside children that came to visit the annual guest, Oba Balogun rejoiced with and prayed for the children.
He described the children as precious gifts from God that deserve every care by the parents without any form of inhibition, adding that they are not only their future, but also the future of the country.
He charged the parents not to fail in their responsibilities simply because of the nation’s economic downturn which is just a phase that would soon become history, adding, “let us do our best for our children so as to ensure that we don’t destroy the future on the basis of the prevailing circumstances.
“The children are our future and the manner of whatever we do for them would determine what to expect in the future when they grow up.
“As parents, I urge us all to remain focused in giving our children the best, not minding the economic challenges. Whatever may be our present challenge as a nation would pass and become history, but whatever we give to our children would determine what they are going to turn out to be’’, the monarch added.
The programme coordinator and the palace Chaplain, Pastor Olusoji Adediji in his short speech before the commencement of the programme which had in attendance scores of children and their parents from the neighborhood, said the exercise was a way of thanking God for the gift of life.
He said the annual programme which came into existence last year in addition to praising God and in the spirit of the season, “Also serves as corporate social responsibility by the palace to the community. It is a way of spreading joy among the children and we cannot thank Kabiyesi enough for the opportunity and for identifying with the children”.
