Good upbringing in an early childhood would benefit the republic -cleric

He said this at the presentation and launching of a book–“You Are Young Only Once’’– at the Banquet Hall of Premier hotel in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The 87-page book was written by Mr Gbade Sanda, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter.

Idowu, however, called on government to ensure that the right of every child to qualitative education was upheld and a conducive environment provided.

“Once a child gets

it right from childhood, the society will be better for it,’’ he said.

According to Idowu, education is not religion, politics, cultural indoctrination, e-learning or certification but a fundamental human right of every child.

He called on stakeholders in the education sector to play effective roles in the promotion of education in the country.

“The parents should protect and guide the children aright. The teachers should give adequate and quality training while de-emphasising certification in upbringing of students.

“Government must be flexible with policies embraced to promote excellence while proprietors should join hands with other stakeholders toward uplifting the quality of education,’’ he said.

Idowu also urged government at all levels to accept the responsibility of providing quality education to the citizenry, adding that funding, provision of conducive environment and infrastructural facilities were responsibilities of government.

Reviewing the book, Mr Yemi Oginni, said that the publication stressed the need for children to be focussed on a goal at this time when many of them were discouraged by inherited poverty of the mind.

He said that the book was written in the simplest of language and remained an investment in the future of Nigeria.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Taiwo Ayorinde, said that there was need for reflection on the past at a time when the nation was going through rejuvenation and renewal.

“Politics today has been polluted with cheats. In our years, it was difficult for school pupils to march on the street to protest policies.

“This is not a good legacy to bequeath on our children. We must do all within our capabilities to ensure these children get proper upbringing,’’ he said.

Ayorinde, the Baale of Ekotedo-Ibadan, said it was a shame that religion, civic studies and history were no more part of the education curriculum in Nigeria.

Sanda, on his part, said that the book was a relay of some useful reflections for the children to embrace.

The event was attended by Mr Adebayo Jimoh, immediate past Group Managing Director of Odu’a Company Limited,

Chief Bode Amao, a renowned industrialist and Alhaji Adegboyega Arulogun, a former Commissioner of Information in Oyo State.