Renowned scholar, Prof Jacob Kehinde Oluponna, has warned that bad parenting is directly responsible for the rise of societal miscreants, thugs and inhumane acts plaguing Nigeria.
The 75-year-old academic stated this on Saturday during his birthday celebration and thanksgiving service at All Souls Church, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
“Good parenting is the foundation a child builds their whole life on. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present, consistent and intentional,” Prof Oluponna said.
“Every generation inherits habits — good and bad. Good parenting interrupts cycles of abuse, poverty, addiction or neglect. It gives children tools their parents may not have had. But bad parenting produces societal miscreants, thugs and bad elements in society.”
On Nigeria: “It is about all of us.”
Speaking on the country’s current situation, the professor said the burden of fixing Nigeria did not rest on the government alone, but also on citizens, especially the youth.
“The issue lies with you people, the youth who have, in a number of cases, chosen a path that is not too palatable for the progress and development of the country. So, why are you surprised that Nigeria is in this state?” he queried.
“I am not talking about a particular government because I believe that the current president has done more than previous presidents to correct the ills of this country. So, it is not about Tinubu; it is about all of us. What we call followership, it is not just leadership.”
“This is one of the greatest countries in the world. People who are outside, they see it, and they keep asking us, why is Nigeria like this? There are not too many countries like Nigeria. This is why those of us who have faith in this country, we will continue to come,” he added.
In his sermon, the Lord Bishop of Ogbomoso Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev Dr Titus Babatunde Olayinka, described Prof Oluponna as a product of sound Christian and intellectual upbringing.
“You scaled through 50, 60, 70. The grace is enormous. Amazing grace has led you thus far. Your life is a remarkable example that has proved some people wrong. Some people believe that pastors are unable to train their children,” the Bishop said.
He also commended the celebrant for his vision for the church, particularly the chapel endowment fund started five years ago, and prayed for God’s continued preservation. The Bishop further appreciated Prof Oluponna’s wife for her support and the children for making the family proud.
My proudest moment is my students
Speaking with journalists after the service, Prof Oluponna expressed gratitude to God for life and health.
“I feel great. I give thanks to God for sparing my life to make 75, and I will continue to pray to God to give me long life so that I will be able to do more to honour God, my fellow Nigerians and my students. God has been kind to me,” he said.
On his proudest moment as an academic, he said it had been watching his students graduate and take up positions in top universities across the world.
He also spoke on faith and tradition, noting that he was born into an evangelical Christian home.
“There is nothing wrong in recognising our tradition all over the world. This is what distinguishes us in our scholarship, and that is what we will continue to do,” he concluded.