Bishop Okonkwo blames terrorism on dysfunctional family value systems

Gov.

Akinwunmi said this at the 17th Bishop Mike Okonkwo annual lecture titled: “The State of the Nigerian nation, Redefining our values” held at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

Gov. Ambode represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said Nigerians; irrespective of religious, tribal and political affiliations, should join hands to build a strong, united and virile country.

He said, ``Great cities and civilizations were never built in a single day.

``All nations derive their identities from entrenched values which are transmitted from generation to generation by families which give the strength and historical direction towards greatness for individuals and countries, generally.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), said the masses were expecting a lot from those in authorities.

And until we restored our value systems, government would not be able to do much.

Okonkwo blamed all acts of terrorism, insurgency and other vices currently rocking the country on dysfunctional family value systems.

He called on parents to rise up to their responsibilities by instilling moral values into their children which, he said, would bring the needed change for Nigerians.

``Our values have been eroded in the country, every system is virtually breaking down and it has to do with values as individuals and as Nigerians.

`` I think we get it wrong when we started celebrating money much more than character, the moment money was being celebrated rather than character and performance, we lost it.

``Parents should know that they have a responsibility to what is happening in view of the economy situation.

``Some of the parents have left the training of their children to television and caregivers because they go to work, if we must have a change there must be a prize to it.

``Parents must be willing to pay the prize to give their children strong and solid foundations so that when they go into the world, they will not join the rest of the people in doing what they are doing,’’ Okonkwo said.