By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
As Nigerians mark Father’s Day, an Anglican Cleric, Ven. Wole Ogunseyinde, has urged fathers not to leave the training of children to mothers alone.
Ogunseyinde gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ibadan.
Ogunseyinde said God had made Fathers heads of their homes and expected them to provide, protect and guide them according to Christian tenets.
“Psalm 103:13 says ‘As a Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him’.”
“There are too many absentee Fathers who have left the guidance of children solely to their mothers, this disconnect may be a panacea to wayward children, cultism and other social vices,” he said.
The Cleric emphasised that if an enabling environment is provided such that fathers could be employed or employ themselves, the society will be less disjointed.
He added that there would be less of the evils currently plaguing Nigeria when the fathers are comfortable and gainfully employed.
“In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, while attending a Mother’s Day celebration, felt fathers ought to be celebrated as well.
“She is credited with being responsible for originating the holiday, she used her father as an example.
“The father was a widower, army veteran and raised six children successfully, such is a challenge to all fathers today,” he said.
Also, Bishop Daniel Oluwajimade, the General Steward, Emmanuel The Saint Sabba Evangelical Mission, Ibadan, says fathers’ day recognises how important fathers are in both home and nation building.
Oluwajimade, also the Director, State Issues and Social Welfare, Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State, urged fathers to show more love to their biological and spiritual children by teaching them the standard of God always.
“We must discourage them against worldly values, make them to be more heavenly focused especially when communications explosion has taken or reduced the world into a global village where vices are being appreciated and little attention to holiness.
“Fathers as the main heads of governments should have wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fear of God, might and equity which are the major concepts that will make us lead well as said in the book of Isaiah 11: 1-4,” he said.
He emphasised that the day should be more celebrated so as to let fathers know their roles more on earth.
“There should be seminar, symposia of different levels to really eschew fathers day beyond ordinary,” he said.
In the same vein, the Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN) Oyo State, has felicitated with the fathers on the great day and occasion.
The Oyo CAN Chairman, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju gave the felicitation on Sunday in Ibadan.
Akinyemiju congratulated all fathers who were part of the celebration despite all odds.
"Glory be to God for His protection, provision, guidance and all He has done to keep us and our families alive in good health.
"Fathers are the friendly, faithful, accessible and reliable individuals.
"They are the most ordinary men who turned by love to heroes in the family in terms of guidance, care, provision and protection.
"Fathers are always the strongest pillars in the lives of their children, it's therefore a happy Fathers' Day to all Fathers who carried their children when they were little and held their hands when they were growing up.
"In the face of the prevailing situations of education, security and other socio-political challenges in the Country, God will grant us the sufficient grace and all necessary enablement to remain pillars of support to our families, society and Ministries.
"May the Lord keep the children also to become stronger and reliable pillars of hope and support to us when we get old/weak in Jesus name," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that father's day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June across the globe, including Nigeria.
(NAN)
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