For the country to attain greatness and peace, the youths as the country most greatest asset needs to be valued, Dr Francis Agbaraoluwapo has said.

Dr. Agbaraoluwapo, a doctor and lecturer at the department of Physiology College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said this at the first “National Parents and Teachers Conference 2017”, themed ‘Raising A Complete Child’, organized by Young Explorer Network, which was held on the 9th september,2017 at Fanlot international school ,Abule-egba Lagos.

According to him, “we are wasting away the resources abound in the greatest asset we have. The youths and the children are the country's greatest asset we have refused to tap into. We have unvalued and abandoned them. We see them everywhere, they are abused by parents ,teachers and others people in the society” he said.

“In this country, everyone is demanding for money, but nobody is demanding for the welfare of the students and the children. The parents we have now are not even helping matters, they have become unaccessible to their children. I have on number of occasions interfere between parents and their children”.

“What we have now currently in Nigeria is the endangered species endangering the society”.



“Our roles as teachers and parents is very critical and we have to retrace our step. We have refused to tap into the hidden treasures abound in our youths. The mind is the hidden treasure, a very important part of the human body. A pilot and foundation of our destination. A man could be fifty years of age and have a mind of 10-year-old. The mind is the key to wealth and happiness when it is in a good state”.

“For us to be productive, we have to focus on the health and for that to be okay, the mind must be okay before that can be achieved”.

Also Mr Yahseph Ananaba, an instructor at the Foundation for Positive Character Development, a Non-governmental organization said parents needs to start becoming responsible.

“the story of children being about to be initiated into cult in Ogun State is something that needs to worry everyone. We are at a stage where we have more sexual active children. There is a falling standard” he said.

“Our parents were not perfect, but tried their best and it worked out well for most of us. That we are looking for money to train them, send them to school is not an excuse, we shouldn't abandon the responsibilities of training them”.

“parent must be a role model, teacher and displaying a positive character to their child. They learn quickly from what they see, which register more than words spoken to them”.

“We should be able to control them, their tantrum at a very tender age and let them know that what they are doing is not right, not in an aggressive manner”.

“when a child can't get a positive feedback from his parent, he will seek it in a negative way. We

shouldn't be quick to give up on them at a tender age, we should always know that the key to training them is becoming a positive and effective parent. Your child see what you do and if you want them to behave positively in the society, we our ourselves must exhibit a positive character”

An author and journalist, Mrs Grace Edema, said parent should learn to stay clear of using abusive words against their children.

“whatever you want to see in your child, you must behave that way. We need to learn not to be abusive towards our children. You have to be a parent, coach, friend and mentor to them” she said.

“try to build a good working relationship with them. You gossip with your friends, but why not do that also with your child; let them be able to tell you everything about what is going on with them”.

“Try to befriend them and be listening to whatever they want to tell, whether good, bad or unnecessary stuffs. Talk to them, let them be your friend, share issues with them and let them also do the same with you”.

The founder of the young explorer network, Mr. Israel Ikumapayi said in his closing remark that Turbulence and other social vices tearing the world apart will greatly reduce if a concious effort is made to give effective moral training to the young ones. This is because, young adults are vulnerable, they are used to perpetuate all kinds of criminal acts including terrorism, robbery to mention afew.

For this reason, parents, guardians and teachers are urge to embrace their responsibility to ensure that young people around them  turn out well in life for a better society.in conclusion he appreciated everyone that was present at the event,including education writers association of Nigeria(EWAN),Lagos state ministry of youth and social development, schools,medias,churches ,partners,family and friends.

https://thebelltimes.com/nigeria-wasting-great-resources-available-youths-dr-agbaraoluwapo/