BenLaz celebration: Parents warned against imposition of career choice on their children

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Parents have been cautioned to desist from imposing career choice on their children indiscriminately, as such poses a great risk to their success in the future.

A Senior lecturer in Ebonyi State University, Dr Joseph Nkwede, gave the advice during Easter monday 2024 BenLaz annual celebration. Dr Nkwede reiterated that this act has hindered children's success to some extent because they take up their parents career choice for them, instead of theirs. "How to raise our children to become responsible children that we will be proud of in the society is a challenge to parents. We parents have different upbringing and way of life than the children we have today. " we are born on digital migrants but todays children are born on Native migrants. "Our parents no longer reason alike with our today's children who seem to be wiser than our days as children. it is quite challenging as parents to raise children of these days.

"In career choices, children of today have different thoughts as it concerns career and we say total No to imposing of career on our child. " In some families, they always think that their neighbors children are lawyers, Medical Doctors and rest, and their parents insists that it must be medicine. But, that child due to pressure will accept to take the course and at end, fail on the way and start looking for alternative course" Nkwede said.

He also warned the youths against quick money syndrome, and advised parents to show examplary life before their wards. As such, the children would emulate same into adulthood. He equally tasked them to be responsible, while urging parents to always allow their different ideologies with their children to marry for the growth and development of their children.

"How do we influence our children? We must exhibit good examples for our children socially, religiously and morally. We should keep to time, be diligent, show good attitude before our children, discipline our children and make them know why they are being disciplined. "What is your plan for your children, do you go to church with them, make them attend catechism, prepare them to school by being in Assembly ground on time and punctual. Families must provide opportunity for their children to learn and other necessary materials to make them know that you have concern for them.

"Some parents now make university education compulsory for their children. University Education is not compulsory for every child, it's for those with unique talent. "He who does not have intelligentsia must not be forced to go to school, the basics education is enough. "Those in the Mechanic site are making money even when they appear dirty. parents have their own ideology, children have their own ideology, but at the end let's allow both to marry".

Speaking during homily,the parish priest of St Lazarus Catholic church Ishieke, Rev Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwugaeme Osi, enjoined christians to show empathy to those who lacks in both materials and spiritual needs, adding that Christ has in His message tasked them to give without season. "On the last day, we will not be asked as christians how many times we went to church, received miracle but like Christ in his message says; when I was hungry, did you give me food, when I was thirsty, did you give me water and when I was naked, did you give me clothes or stranger,did you welcomed me? "So, anyway you can give a helping hand to those you are better off, do not hesitate to do that, for then, you are doing it for Christ. "I charge all of you not to wait until you build that upstairs of your taste before you help others as only those things you did while alive will you be remembered just like our celebrant today. Fr Osi said.

Earlier, the host and founder of Ben Laz family, professor Adaeze Nwuzor described the event as part of the late husband's initiative to unite those they sponsored in marriage, baptism, namesake and confirmation. Professor Nwuzor stated that those who received their sponsorship in marriage were selected by the now late husband due to their unique character and pledged to defend them at all times for interest of growth in Christendom. She called on christian homes to be strong in faith as the world revolves every day in ensuring that they train their children in the fear of God. Corroborating, professor Kerian Ezike Nwamini, the chairman Indigent Care Foundation thanked God for the family and prayed for more wisdom and guidance upon professor Nwuzor. Also, some of the beneficiaries of the Easter gifts among, Mr Sunday Aka of Edidiagu Ishieke and Miss Emeakpa Salome appreciated professor Nwuzor for the annual programme and prayed for abundant blessings. Meanwhile, the event was followed by the distribution of cash gifts, award of scholarship to three students and members of Catholic Youth Organization Abakaliki branch and merriment.