By Justina Auta
Stakeholders on Saturday canvassed for the protection of children against negative vices and inculcating in them the right virtues for national development.
They made the call during the National relaunch of the Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM) vision, organised by the Children Evangelism Ministry International, in Abuja.
Mr Egbuna Tony-Chukwudile, President and Founder, CEM, said the ministry has been in existence for over 43 years to inculcate the right virtues on children that would curtail the spread of negative vices and its influence on the society.
He added that the ministry has branches in the US, UK, China, Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad, Gambia, Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Cameroon to correct the neglect of child evangelism.
The founder expressed concern over the recurring challenges affecting the nation, calling on all stakeholders to join hands towards addressing the menace.
“We are currently being challenged by terrorism, war, economic uncertainty, moral decline, family breakdown and fear.
“We should do something for these children and raise them up because they will take over from us.”
“If we don’t teach these children the word of God and evangelise it to them, the devil will vandalise them,” he said.
He, therefore, called on all to ensure that children are fully grounded on Biblical teaching to inculcate good morals and values, and by extension the nation would benefits from it.
On his part, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, highlighted the roles parents play in instilling the right values on children.
Mustapha, represented by Mr Anthony Obiora, Director of Admin (SGF), said the event was an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate towards addressing challenges affecting the nation.
“This occasion provides us with yet another opportunity to retrospect as a nation on the importance of children’s upbringing.
”It will critically upgrade our performance on the journey so far, with the view to collectively decide where we should be in the nearest future, especially taking cognisance of the security challenges at the moment.
“It is pertinent to say that the family happens to be the primary institution saddled with a crucial responsibility of providing the much needed leadership in line with the Biblical teaching in training a child.
“The significance of our roles as parents and guardians to children’s upbringing vis-a-vis nation building cannot be overemphasized.
“This implies that if we got it right at home, we would have averted the horror of banditry, cultism and general criminality that have bedeviled our social well being as a nation,” he said.
Also, Miss Patience Ezema, a 10-year-old member of the CEM, said membership has increased her confidence, academics and religious knowledge.
Ezema added that the training also encouraged them to live a good life devoid of negative vices.
Other highlights at the event were Bible recitations, Dance and choreography and ministries by different clergies.
