IN a bid to curb the high rate of crime among adolescents and youth, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has organised a one-day workshop on good parenting for residents of the Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Alimosho LGA in Lagos State.
In her address to participants at the programme held within the premises of the Igando-Ikotun LCDA Secretariat, the Commissioner for WAPA, Hon. Cecilia Bolaji Dada averred that the enormous involvement of youth, teenagers, and children in ritual killings, kidnapping, cultism, and armed robbery, amongst others can effectively be curbed if parents ensure proper upbringing of the wards and children from childhood.
Dada, who was represented by the Director of the Domestic Violence Department, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olorunfemi, reiterated the State Government's zero-tolerance for idleness and mediocrity, particularly amongst youth, stressing the need to take such enlightenment to the people.
Her words, "The purpose of this workshop is to enlighten parents who commit all sorts of atrocities in the presence of their children such as drinking, smoking, stealing, womanising, and other vices, to let them know that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is particularly interested in curbing all societal anomaly in Lagos, particularly in Alimosho community which has high reports of adolescent crimes."
Dada implored the 250 parents in attendance to adopt better parenting skills, such as being intentional about raising their children, applying proper disciplinary measures where necessary, spending quality time with them, and supporting their growth.
Also speaking, the Director of the Women's Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), Mrs Bose Ironsi, commended WAPA for the enlightenment programme aimed at curbing domestic violence in society.
She urged parents to pay appropriate attention to their wards and desist from using derogatory language in speaking to them and ultimately understand that unity between parents is paramount in raising children.
