Bishop Akinlade blames parents for youths’ illicit Lifestyle

Bishop of the Diocese of Ife, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Olubunmi Akinlade has called on parents to rise up to the challenge of growing trend of apostasy among youths, culminating in drug abuse, illicit lifestyle, violence, profane language and lack of respect for elders, among other known prevalent misconducts among today’s youth. He said parents should spend quality time with their children, and give them basic parental training that will put them on the right track.

Speaking during the first session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Ife, themed: “Godly parenting in a cosmopolitan world,” which ends today at St. Philips Anglican Cathedral Church, Ayetoro, Ile-Ife, the cleric lamented that today’s parents no longer have time for their wards and have delegated their responsibilities to grandmothers, grandparents, house-helps and neighbours, among others. He noted that the theme was to remind Christian parents the importance of teaching their children ways of the Lord.

He said: “We live in a remarkably busy world, whereby both husband and wife work to make ends meet. Most of us now erroneously rely only on Sunday School teachers to teach our children about God and His laws, which is not only enough but apparently also at variance with what God commanded us in His Word.”

Akinlade, who also decried the deplorable state of St. Philips Primary School besides the Anglican Cathedral, Ayetoro, urged Osun State government to return mission schools to their original owners for proper management. He also applauded the state government’s efforts in containing banditry in the state, which according to him, has enabled citizens to enjoy relative peace. He also commended the state government for fighting against the spread of the dreaded COVID-19, as well as prompt payment of salaries and pensions.

He, however, appealed to the state government to consider the unpaid gratuity of retirees, as well as backlog of unpaid workers’ salaries and pensioners owed by the immediate past government. 

One of the features of the event was dedication of the magnificent Multi-purpose Centre at Arubidi by the church’s Women Organisation.