Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Sunday, identified dysfunctional family
background as one of the major reasons for rising cases of domestic violence,
just as he advocated the need for parents to imbibe in their wards the virtues
of honesty, respect, morality, good neighborliness, peace and love.
Governor
Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House at the family day celebration hosted by
the State Government in commemoration of the International Family Day, also
said a lot of acts of terror and violence that have ruptured global peace and
security could be traced to the absence of strong family ties, and as such
parents must spend time with their children no matter how difficult it may be.
The
Governor described the family as the smallest but most important unit of the
society, saying things can only go right in the country if first addressed in
the family.
He
said: “Most of the recorded incidence of domestic violence are as a result of
dysfunctional family backgrounds. Our traditional family cohesion and bond has
been weakened due to daily life challenges of trying to make ends meet.
“We
must, as a matter of urgency, in spite of the demanding pace of life pause and
find time to reconnect with our families. Our families need us; our children
need us. The family always provides emotional support in times of need. We have
family members in need of emotional, physical and moral support. The support
and encouragement given to a family member today can prevent a violent act of
terror or suicide tomorrow.”
Speaking
on the essence of the international celebration which was designated by the
United Nations, Governor Ambode said everyone was born into a family and that
the most important moments of people’s lives have taken place in the family,
saying it was for that reason that the international body places a lot of
emphasis on the family as a key factor in human relations thereby setting aside
May 15 every year to celebrate the value of the family bond across ethnic,
religious, social and economic divide.
On
the part of the Lagos State Government, Governor Ambode assured that his
administration would continue to provide the necessary infrastructural and
institutional support for the family, adding that government would soon embark
on building of world class Leisure Parks.
He
added: “One of the crucial infrastructure that the government has put in place
to encourage family bonding is the establishment of Parks and Gardens in
various strategic locations across the state. I am happy to note that these
facilities have become the convergence point for families to relax not only
during festive occasions but also on weekdays and weekends. In addition, this
administration has started the process of building new world class leisure
parks.
“As
we celebrate the international day of the family today, I urge you all to spend
more time with your family, especially with our children. A hug or a smile
goes a long way in boosting the morale of family members. If we want to get the
society right, we must get the family right. We must start at the family to
reintroduce the norms and the values which we grew up with. Our families must
must reintroduce and imbibe the virtues of honesty, respect, morality, good
neighborliness, peace and love. We must work towards living in harmony with
family members and ensuring safety of lives through healthy practices.”
Earlier,
the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode said without communication,
social interaction, love and mutual respect for one another, a family can
hardly be united or peaceful.
She
said women and children deserved to be respected and pampered, adding that such
was needed to avoid domestic violence.
Source: Vanguard
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