By Ayo Oyoze Baje
ANALYSIS:
This is a recurring, thought-provoking opinion essay and theme frequently explored by Nigerian journalist and public affairs analyst, Ayo Oyoze Baje
The core message of his writings addresses the breakdown of the family unit, the loss of traditional moral values, and the impact of absent parenting on youth restiveness, crime, and national insecurity in Nigeria.
Core Themes and Message:
Baje’s articles argue that societal decay and the rise of social vices—such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and insurgency—stem from homes where parents are either physically absent, overly permissive, or prioritize material wealth over their children’s moral upbringing.
His notable writings emphasize the following points:The Broken Family Unit: Baje notes that parents have increasingly turned their backs on their children. Some have more children than they can effectively cater for, while others are entirely consumed by the desperate pursuit of money.
The Loss of Communal Accountability:
In the past, communities and families probed the sources of sudden, unexplained wealth among youths. Baje critiques how society now celebrates teenagers with mansions and luxury cars without questioning how they acquired them.
The Call for Responsibility:
He advocates that sound education, ethics, and values begin at the home front. He urges both parents to provide a solid moral compass and the government at all levels to fulfill its constitutional role of ensuring public welfare and security.
