By Philips Osunsami, Ibadan
The Proprietress, Tenderlift Care Mission School, Ashi Bodija, Dr. Rosemary Odigbo, on Monday, called on parents to be friends with their children.
Odigbo made the call during the end-of-the-session party which was held at the school premises, along Ashi Bodija Road, Ibadan.
The Oyo State Coordinator of Child Protection Network {CPN} said this would help in building trust and ensure proper communication among students and parents.
She stated that when parents become friends with their children, it helps in reducing the impact of negative influences on them and also allows parents to be more aware of the things going on in their children’s lives.
The social worker cautioned parents against transferring their responsibilities to other family members or friends but rather ensure that they are available in their children’s lives, and be there to protect their children when the need arises.
Odigbo also urged the students especially the graduating ones not to allow themselves to be negatively influenced but rather be agents of positive change.
The proprietress said: ‘’For Tenderlift Care Mission School to attain this height, is by the grace of God, and I am so happy that I am part of this and I am witnessing it.
“For the graduating students, I would say that they are just starting the race. So, they should get ready to run the race and run it well, accomplish their tasks, and they will find themselves in high positions without any concerns or mixing up with all sorts of bad characters in the society.
“They have to also rise up. They must get ready to run the race alone. They should not allow themselves to be negatively influenced, but be an agent of change.
“As for our parents, they should get ready to be friends with their children. They should not hand over their responsibilities to even the uncles, the aunties or whoever. They must be there to protect their children and spend their time and all their resources on them.
“They should get ready to accomplish the work in the life of their children. If they need to sell their valuables, they must in order to meet up with the demands of taking care of their children and to ensure that their children reach greater heights in life”.
Addressing the graduating class students, the guest speaker, Pastor Michael Orogbangba who spoke on the theme: ‘The Pinnacle of Success’, said that there are pathways to success though with various pitfalls but with numerous profits should a person manage to avoid the pitfalls.
Orogbangba urged them to embrace discipline, determination, diligence, setting clear goals, perseverance and resilience to overcome pitfalls in life.
He, however, charged them to always put their trust and faith in God as they cannot do without God.
Also speaking, one of the stakeholders of the school, Elder (Mrs.) Beatrice Funmilayo Unuagefe lauded Odigbo for the good work she has been doing and for always caring for the children.
Unuagefe also comnended the teachers for doing their jobs well, noting that the evidence of their hardwork is that many of the children who had graduated are in various universities doing well while some others are now holding positions of repute in the society.
Highlights of the party, which was graced by members of the management of the School, Staff, parents and well wishers, included cultural dances, a play-let, a debate, choreography and presentation of awards.
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